How to Treat Itchy Ears

Your ears are home to a large number of nerve endings, which when irritated can cause your ears to feel itchy and uncomfortable. There are many different reasons why your ears might be itchy, and we'll walk you easy ways to get relief from itchy ears and identify the underlying cause.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Treating Your Itchy Ears

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1
Try a mixture of rubbing alcohol and vinegar.^{[1]XExpert SourcePayam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified OtolaryngologistExpert Interview. 30 September 2020.} Use 1 part light vinegar to 1 part rubbing alcohol. Mix them together then, use a plastic syringe or ear bulb to place a few drops of this solution into your ear. Let it sit for a moment, then drain it out. You can use the bulb or syringe to remove the solution, as well.
- Vinegar and alcohol mixed together will flush bacteria from your ear, and remove any loose debris (like dust, or bugs) as it cleans the inside of your ear.
- Don’t let this mixture sit too long, and don’t use too much of it. Let it sit for just a few moments, then drain it out. Make sure you get out any remaining liquid from your ears.
2
Put a few drops of warm oil in your ear. You can use olive, mineral, or vegetable oil. Place the oil container inside of a warm glass of water to slowly warm the oil. Before putting any in your ear, make sure you test it on the inside of your wrist to make sure that it isn’t too hot.
- Don’t put more than a few drops of warm oil into your ears at a time. Wait a few hours for the oil to absorb and moisten the inside of your ear canal before applying anymore.
- The oil will work as a moisturizer for the skin inside of your ear. But, you don’t want to use oil that is meant for your body, such as baby oil or scented oil. These could cause further irritation.
- You can also try a traditional blend of mullein oil and garlic. You can make your own by steeping mullein flowers and chopped garlic in olive oil over low heat for 4 hours, or you can purchase pre-made mullein garlic oil. Place a few drops into the affected ear 2-3 times per day.^{[2]XResearch source}
- When using oil to treat painful or itchy ears, you can also place a few drops of oil onto a cotton ball and tuck the cotton ball into your ear overnight to allow the oil to absorb into your ear more slowly.^{[3]XResearch source}
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3
Use hydrogen peroxide. This can be used to loosen ear wax and also to kill bacteria that might be present in the ear canal, causing it to feel itchy or irritated. Tilt the affected ear towards the ceiling and put in 2-3 drops of hydrogen peroxide. Wait a moment or two; you might hear a bubbling sound in your ear. Then, tilt your ear back down to drain the peroxide out.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Using this method too often could backfire and lead to your ears drying out, or cause an infection. If this remedy doesn’t help after 1 or 2 tries, cease using the peroxide and seek medical advice.^{[5]XResearch source}
4
Use some over-the-counter ear drops.^{[6]XExpert SourcePayam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified OtolaryngologistExpert Interview. 30 September 2020.} There are many different brands and types of ear drops that you can buy at your local drug store. Make sure you read the labels and pick a drop that is made specifically for itchy ears.
- If your ear is itching due to an allergy or outside cause, these drops may help alleviate the irritation. Just make sure you don’t use more than the dosage on the packaging calls for.
5
Take over-the-counter antihistamines. If your itchy ears are caused by an oncoming cold or allergies, antihistamines can help ease the irritation. Try allergy medicines containing diphenhydramine.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Carefully read all labels on any medications. Take only the recommended dosage. Some antihistamines and allergy medicines can cause drowsiness, so if you need to operate machinery or go to work, make sure you take a brand that is specifically labeled as non-drowsy.^{[8]XResearch source}
6
See a doctor. If all else fails, go see your doctor. If you try these remedies and none of them seem to work, even after a few attempts, don’t continue these remedies. There might be something more serious at work, and a doctor should be your next stop.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists are trained specifically in these areas of the body. If you have a condition that your primary care doctor is concerned about, he or she may refer you to one of these specialists for further care.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Maintaining Good Ear Health

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1
Don’t use cotton swabs in your ears. Though this is a relatively common practice for many people, it’s actually very dangerous to use cotton swabs to clean the inside of your ear canal. You can ultimately do more damage than good.^{[10]XExpert SourcePayam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified OtolaryngologistExpert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
- Ear wax protects your ear canal from water and infection. Using a cotton swab or anything smaller to clean it out will actually only create more problems for your ears.
2
Clean the outside of your ears. Use a cotton ball, some warm water, and mild soap to gently clean the outside of your ears. Keeping the outside clean will help keep debris and allergens out of your ear canal, and keep your ear from feeling irritated.^{[11]XResearch source}
- You can even do this in the shower with a clean washcloth. Just make sure you don’t stick anything into the inner part of your ear. Clean only the outside, and make sure you get all the soap off if you use it.^{[12]XResearch source}
3
Wear earplugs when swimming. You can also use cotton balls in your ears when swimming or even showering. This will keep water and debris out of your ears, and prevent an infection from occurring from water getting trapped in the ear canal.
- Also wear earplugs when attending loud concerts or other noisy events. Try to keep the volume low on your earbuds when listening to music. Loud noise may damage your inner ear over time, and cause eventual depletion of your hearing.^{[13]XResearch source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Identifying the Cause

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1
Identify where the itch is coming from. Is it coming from deep inside your ear canal, or does your ear itch on the outside on the cartilage or lobe? Internal itchiness could be an early indicator for a cold, for example, while external itchiness could be related to an allergic reaction to something in your environment.
- If you recently had your ears pierced and you are experiencing itchiness or soreness in the lobe, you may have a mild infection in the new piercing. Make sure you handle your pierced ears with clean hands, and treat them with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol a few times a day. If the infection worsens or persists, see a doctor.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Dry skin on the outer ear can cause itchiness. If the dry skin appears on places like your ears, face, or scalp, it may be a common condition called seborrheic dermatitis. Simple over-the-counter dandruff shampoos or products with ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc, or coal tar can help treat this condition. Wash the affected area with a medicated shampoo or soap once or twice a day.^{[15]XResearch source}
2
Check for an allergic reaction. You might be having a mild allergic reaction to something in your environment—even a new shampoo, or a new set of earrings. If you recently changed your hygiene routine or started using a new product, try eliminating that product or going back to what you did before.
- Read labels on all personal hygiene products. Make sure nothing you use contains any ingredients you have a history of reacting badly to. Your ears can react to allergens the same way as other parts of your body, so an allergic reaction could be causing your itchy ears.^{[16]XResearch source}
3
Remove any ear plugs or hearing aids. Sometimes, these devices can cause itching in the ear by trapping water in the ear canal. This can also lead to a mild infection over time.
- If you wear either of these things regularly, take them out and clean them thoroughly. Allow them to dry completely before putting them back into your ear.
- Hearing aids need to be properly fitted to your ears. If they don’t fit properly, they might irritate the sensitive skin inside your ears and cause itchiness and irritation.
4
Check for bugs. It’s unlikely, but a bug may have gotten into your ear while you were sleeping. If you suspect this may be the case, see a doctor to verify, and they can remove the bug.
- Don’t worry—bugs in ears aren’t very common. But, if you happen to live in a place with a high bug population, and those bugs are often in the same room where you sleep, then you might be at a higher risk for this to happen.
5
Check for earwax. If you seem to have very little wax in your ears, this could be the source of the dryness and subsequently the itchiness in your ears. Lack of earwax is one of the causes of dry skin in the ear, which can make your ear feel irritated and itchy.^{[17]XExpert SourcePayam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified OtolaryngologistExpert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
- Try not to stick anything in your ears, even to check for wax. Let a doctor look in with a scope. They will be able to see how much wax is in your ear, and you won’t risk damaging the delicate parts of your inner ear.

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Does excess ear wax cause itchiness?
Payam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
Dr. Payam Daneshrad is a board certified Otolaryngologist, specializing in Facial Plastic Surgery and Rhinology, and the Owner and Director of Daneshrad Clinic in Los Angeles, California. With over 19 years of experience, Dr. Daneshrad specializes in adult and pediatric Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, packing-less nasal surgery, minimally invasive sinus surgery, and snoring treatment. He also uses the newest surgical ENT techniques for tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, thyroidectomy, and parathyroidectomy. Dr. Daneshrad graduated with a BS and the highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was accepted into the AOA, the medical honor's society, and the Tulane University School of Public Health. Dr. Daneshrad received his medical training from the University of Southern California. Dr. Daneshrad is the Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon for the Los Angeles Sparks and the athletic teams of Loyola Marymount University.
Payam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
Expert Answer
Actually, it's just the opposite! Wax protects and moisturizes the skin of the ear canals, so having too little wax can make your ears itch.
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