Answer:

The outer ear canal is lined with thin skin, containing glands that produce earwax. Earwax acts as a natural protective layer, maintaining moisture and creating an environment that inhibits bacteria and fungi, preventing dust and insects from entering. When this protective layer loses its balance, the skin of the ear canal becomes dry and irritated, leading to itching. The habit of scratching ears with cotton swabs or hard tools can peel and scratch the epithelial layer, removing the protective earwax. This irritates the ear canal skin, intensifying the itch.

Disruptions in ear moisture and outer ear infections also cause itching. For ear fungus, individuals experience deep itching within the ear, often worse at night, accompanied by a feeling of dampness, discharge, and a foul odor. Scratching the ear can easily push earwax deeper, damaging the skin and allowing inflammation to worsen, which increases the itching.

Doctor Thach performing an ear endoscopy for a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Clinic District 7

Earwax has a self-drying and self-expelling mechanism, requiring no intervention. You do not need to remove earwax too frequently. If your ears itch, use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe them. Avoid getting water in your ears after showering or bathing, and use a low-heat hairdryer to help dry your ears. After swimming, tilt your head to each side and pull your earlobe in different directions to drain water. You can also gently place a cotton ball into the outer ear canal and leave it for about 3-5 minutes to absorb any remaining water.

If ear itching persists, accompanied by discharge, a foul odor, or severe itching at night, individuals should not self-medicate or scratch their ears. Instead, they should consult an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for proper ear canal cleaning and appropriate treatment to reduce itching and prevent complications.

Doctor Vo Ba Thach

Specialist in Ear, Nose, and Throat

Tam Anh General Clinic District 7