What Causes Itching in the Ear Canal?
Disease description:
I’ve been feeling itchy in my ears constantly. I visited an outpatient clinic, but the doctor didn’t clearly explain the cause. I’m planning to go to the hospital for further examination—before that, could you please explain what might be causing the ear canal itch?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Gang
Itching in the ear canal is commonly caused by fungal otitis externa or cerumen (earwax). Patients should promptly visit a hospital for examination and receive treatment based on the findings. If itching results from cerumen accumulation, the patient should irrigate the external auditory canal with normal saline. In cases of fungal otitis externa, white discharge appears within the external auditory canal; the patient should first thoroughly flush out the discharge with normal saline and then apply antifungal ear drops.
