Itchy ear canals

Could be the result of seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. More likely if you have itchy scalp as well.I use 1% hydrocortisone lotion daily. A zinc or selenium dandruff shampoo in the shower can help control seborrhea.

@decabea

I wear 2 hearing aids and often get itchy ear canals. My ears and eyes are dry. My now retired ENT doctor suggested using a couple of drops of mineral oil (available everywhere and inexpensive ) directly into the canal. There is no buildup and it absorbs directly into the skin. I bought a bottle and also a small empty bottle with a dropper ( had to get that on Amazon). My current ENT says that is fine as long as I don’t use it excessively. It works for me and is safer than Q tips. There is no need to purchase those advertised itchy ear drops. Clean the dropper regularly especially if it touches the ear.
Dryness causes itching and I don’t experience that as much now that I keep the canals moisturized.

I’m careful about what does into my ear canals and use Vaseline coated cotton balls when I am at the salon and try not to get too much water into the canals.
I don’t use any particular shampoos or conditioners.

FL Mary

Thank you. I have used hydrocortisone on occasion I will increase use

Audiologist sold me a bottle of Proear Miracell for itchy, dry ears. It works wonderfully.

It's on Amazon for $11.99. I use it every night and no more itchy ears.

I think hearing aids make my ears itchy.

Prayers & Blessings....

I wear hearing aids. When I get itchy ears, I use alcohol for cleaning the canals. I use a Q-Tip that has been dipped in the alcohol. I do this after I take the aids out for the day. I then put the aids in a Dry N Store (ultraviolet cleaner/dryer). I sometimes put mineral oil on a Q-Tip and coat the canals. I do this after the canals have dried after the alcohol cleaning. This way, the oil doesn't get all over my molds (as opposed to domes for some users). It gives the oil time to be absorbed into the canal skin. You do NOT want to go far into the canal with Q-Tips.
Tony in Michigan

All of the comments about itchy ears are helpful and whatever works for one person may not work for another person. That being said, the most important thing is to get regular checkups by your ENT and try to keep those canals as pristine as possible…Being a hearing aid user I go about every 4 months. I would not personally use a lubricant on a routine basis if your ears are not itchy. The ears generally will take care of themselves.
It’s so important to keep those hearing aids as clean as you can . As many others do I use a dry and store for storage at night. Audiologists tell you next to nothing about maintenance of ears or aids and you usually only realize there are things you should be doing when something goes wrong.
I am also against buying oils, gels, creams, vitamins or anything going in or on my body from third party sellers like Amazon.
It’s so difficult to find the source of products and there are so many bogus items being sold at outrageous prices. An FDA endorsement is not always a thumbs up for me. But that’s another whole subject.

FL Mary

I have used Proear Miracell for years now and it really helps. I have recommended it to several people.

Ditto here. Using Dry & Store (or another good dryer) daily really helps to almost eliminate itchy ears.

Also, I avoid putting anything in my ear canals.

Itchy ears could be Demodex. If you have dry eyes and blepharitis, and/or have a compromised immune system, chances are you have those damn mites. Tea tree oil will kill them, but will dry out your ears. Sadly most doctors don't have them on their radar because they know them as commensal. But with a compromised immune system they proliferate and cause problems. It's the eye doctors who are fully aware of them but reluctant to upset their patients by telling the truth about what's causing the problems.

Cliradex wipes can kill them, or keep them under control. They're designed as an eye wipe (expensive but totally worth it) but can be used in your ears and behind where there could be sebaceous buildup.

Within a year we'll all be learning more about Demodex now that a pharma company (Tarsus) is doing (amusing) commercials about the mites. They havecto be amusing. Otherwise we'd all be screaming in horror. 😄