Ear Itching (Itchy Ears)

Why ears itch

The ear canal is lined with thin skin that makes earwax. Wax keeps the canal slightly acidic, waterproof and protected from infection. Anything that strips wax, dries the skin, inflames it or traps moisture can cause itching. Scratching then damages the skin further and starts an itch-scratch cycle that can let bacteria or fungi in.

Common causes of itchy ears

Dry skin and over-cleaning

Cotton swabs, fingers, hair pins and "ear cleaning" devices remove protective wax and cause tiny scratches. The canal becomes dry and itchy, so people clean more. This is one of the most common causes, and simply stopping usually fixes it within a few weeks.

Skin conditions

• Seborrheic dermatitis: greasy, yellow-white flakes in the ear canal, behind the ears, on the scalp and eyebrows.
• Eczema: dry, red, flaky skin that may weep, often in people with eczema elsewhere.
• Psoriasis: silvery scaly plaques in and around the ears, often with scalp psoriasis.
• Contact dermatitis: an allergic or irritant reaction to nickel earrings, hearing aid or earbud materials, hair dye, shampoo, or ear drops (especially neomycin).

Earwax

Both too much and too little wax can itch. Built-up wax (cerumen impaction) causes itching, fullness, muffled hearing and sometimes ringing. Hearing aid and earplug users are more prone because the device blocks wax from moving out naturally.

Allergies

Hay fever and food allergies can cause itching deep in the ear, along with an itchy throat, roof of mouth and nose. This happens because the same nerve supplies these areas. Oral allergy syndrome causes ear and mouth itching after eating raw fruit in people with pollen allergy.

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa)

Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal skin, usually bacterial. It often begins with itching, followed by pain when touching the outer ear, swelling, a feeling of fullness and discharge. Water exposure, humidity and scratching are the main triggers.

Fungal ear infection

A fungal ear infection (otomycosis) causes intense itching, fullness, and debris that looks like wet newspaper or contains black, gray or white specks. It is more common in hot, humid climates and after long use of antibiotic ear drops.

Other causes

• Healing ear canal: a scratch or a recent ear infection can itch as it heals.
• Hearing aids and earbuds: pressure, trapped moisture and allergy to materials.
• Middle ear infection: usually causes pain rather than itch, but a deep itch can occur as it resolves.
• Insects or foreign objects: a crawling feeling or sudden buzzing, especially in children.

Itchy ear causes compared

How doctors find the cause

A doctor uses an otoscope to look into the ear canal and at the eardrum. They will look for wax, flaking, redness, swelling, fungal debris and discharge. They will ask about swimming, cotton swab use, hearing aids, skin conditions and allergies, and check the scalp and skin elsewhere. A swab of discharge can identify bacteria or fungi when infection keeps coming back. Patch testing can confirm an allergy to a metal or ear drop ingredient.

How to stop itchy ears

Self-care

• Stop putting anything in your ears, including cotton swabs. Clean only the outer ear with a washcloth.
• Keep ears dry: tilt your head to drain water after swimming and showering, and use a hair dryer on a low, cool setting held away from the ear.
• A few drops of mineral oil, baby oil or olive oil once or twice a week can soothe dry skin, if you have no ear pain, discharge, ear tubes or a perforated eardrum.
• Choose nickel-free earrings and clean hearing aids and earbuds regularly.
• Antihistamines can help allergy-related itching. Follow the label dose.
• Ear wax softening drops for mild buildup, unless you have had eardrum problems.

Do not use ear candles. They do not remove wax and can cause burns and blockages.

Medical treatment

• Steroid ear drops or creams for eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.
• Antifungal shampoos or creams for seborrheic dermatitis around the ears.
• Antibiotic-steroid ear drops for swimmer's ear, after the canal is cleaned.
• Antifungal drops and professional cleaning for otomycosis.
• Professional wax removal by irrigation, suction or instruments for impacted wax.

Preventing itchy ears

• Leave earwax alone. Ears clean themselves.
• Use custom or well-fitted swim plugs if you swim often.
• Remove hearing aids at night and keep them clean and dry.
• Manage scalp dandruff and eczema, which often spread to the ears.

The itchy ear page covers the same symptom with a focus on itching that comes with discharge and hearing changes.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my ears itch inside?

Itching inside the ear is most often from dry skin due to over-cleaning, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, earwax buildup, allergies, or an early ear canal infection such as swimmer's ear or a fungal infection. Hearing aids and earbuds can also trap moisture and irritate the skin.

How do I stop my ears from itching?

Stop using cotton swabs, keep ears dry after swimming or showering, and try a couple of drops of mineral or olive oil if there is no pain or discharge. Treat allergies with antihistamines. If itching persists beyond 2 weeks, see a doctor for drops or creams that target the cause.

Can earwax cause itchy ears?

Yes. A buildup of wax can cause itching, fullness and muffled hearing. Too little wax from over-cleaning also causes itching because the skin dries out. Softening drops may help mild buildup, but impacted wax is best removed by a clinician.

Is itchy ear a sign of infection?

It can be. Swimmer's ear and fungal infections often start with itching. Infection is more likely if the itch turns into pain, the ear canal swells, or there is discharge or debris. These need a doctor's assessment and prescription drops.

Why do my ears itch when I have allergies?

Allergies cause histamine release in the lining of the nose, throat and Eustachian tubes, and the throat and ear share nerve supply, so the itch is felt deep in the ear. Antihistamines and avoiding triggers usually relieve it.