Few things are as annoying as an itch deep inside your ear. It can be caused by unusually sensitive nerves, dry skin, infections, water in the ear, or allergies. Whatever the cause, you’d love to give it a good scratch, but there’s no safe way to do that. You might be tempted to stick a cotton swab in there and give it a go, but that’s only going to push dirt and wax in deeper, potentially making the problem worse and maybe even causing damage, too. Fortunately, there are some home remedies that can help.
A little bit of aloe vera gel will coat the inner ear, restoring pH levels and working it’s anti-inflammatory magic. If you have an aloe vera plant, just cut off a small piece and squeeze out a few drops of the gel. Tilt your head sideways and put 3 to 5 drops in the offending ear. After several seconds, tip it out. There are other oils you can use in a similar fashion, diluted and gently heated: coconut, vegetable, olive, and tea tree. With some of these, you’ll want to allow 2 or 3 minutes before tipping the oil out.
Another treatment involves alcohol and vinegar. Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and distilled white vinegar. Soak a cotton ball in the liquid, tilt your head, and then slowly and gently squeeze it so that only a few drops go into the ear canal. After 5 to 10 seconds, tip it out. But don’t try this method too often: the rubbing alcohol can dry out skin, potentially making the itching worse, not better. Alternatively, try mixing equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Using a dropper, drip a small amount of the solution into the ear and promptly tip it out. Repeat if need be.
For more details, you’ll want to check out the video we’ve posted below. And remember that if something really seems wrong, seeing your doctor is probably a good idea.
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