Itchy Throat And Ears – Causes, Prevention & How To Get Rid Of It

An itchy throat and ears can be caused by several different things. In most cases, it is a mild cold or allergy that should not be a cause for concern. In this case, you can manage or get rid of an itchy throat and ears by using over-the-counter medications such as decongestants and antihistamines.

However, if these symptoms persist for more than 7-10 days or worsen over time, it could indicate another underlying condition needing further medical attention.

Causes Of Itchy Throat And Ears

Here are some possible causes for an itchy throat and ears.

Ear Infections

If you notice itching in your ears, this may indicate that you have an ear infection or are developing an ear infection.

Some people suffer from chronic ear infections that reoccur, which can signify that you have a more serious problem with ear health.

In this case, you may need to see an ENT (Ear Nose Throat specialist) to determine the cause of your recurrent ear infections.

If you see an ENT specialist, they can find the cause of the ear infection and suggest treatment.

Ear infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses. In addition, excess wax blocks the ear, and water may be trapped in the ear.

Dry ears

Oil and wax in the ear play an important role because they help keep the ears clean and healthy. Many mistakes cleaning their ears incorrectly and removing this healthy oil and wax.

This can lead to dry ears and itching. Changing your cleaning habits can solve this problem, but you should see an ENT specialist if it persists.

Skin Diseases

Certain skin diseases can also cause itchy ears. Things like psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis can lead to dry, scaly skin and itching.

If you have dry ears, you may notice scaly skin on the outside of the ears and itching on the inside.

These skin conditions can also affect other areas of your body, so it is possible that you notice signs in areas other than your ears as well.

There are no standard treatments that you can use to work on the ear area, so you should consult an ENT specialist before applying a treatment to the ear area.

Allergies

Hay fever (Allergic rhinitis) and other allergies can cause itching in the ears and affect the throat’s health.

An itchy throat and ears can be caused by an allergic reaction to other things, such as pollen, dust, mites, and animal fur.

Other symptoms of these types of allergies include watery eyes, runny nose, headaches, and sneezes. It can be worse in the spring or summer.

You can take over-the-counter medications (antihistamines) to alleviate the symptoms, but if you do not notice any changes, you should see an ENT specialist.

Food allergies

Food allergies are a common cause of itchy throat and ears. Even mild food allergies can cause itching in the throat, mouth, and ears, and severe allergies can be life-threatening.

Allergies can develop over time, and if you notice a reaction after eating certain foods, it is important to seek medical advice and get tested.

Medications

If you are taking a new medicine and you notice that you have an itchy throat and ears, there is a chance that you may have an allergic reaction to the medicine.

If this is the case, talk to your doctor to see if there are alternative medications you can take.

Bacterial and viral infections

These infections can have major effects on your health, including a cause of your sore throat and itchy ears.

In the early stages of an infection, you may notice itching in the throat or develop a severely sore throat.

Bacterial or viral infections such as tonsillitis need medical attention. In some cases, a cold or flu can also occur, which can spread by itself over time.

Mild allergies or cold symptoms can be treated by yourself with painkillers, decongestants, nasal sprays, and antihistamines. Popular antihistamines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra).

If there are persistent or severe symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

How To Prevent Sore Throat And Itchy Ears

An allergist can perform skin and blood tests to see if there is a substance that triggers your symptoms. You can prevent the symptoms by staying away from your triggers.

Below are a few helpful tips to prevent a sore throat and itchy ears due to allergies or a cold:

• For people allergic to dust mites, put a dust mite-proof blanket on your bed.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains.
• Wash your bedding and other fabrics regularly with hot water (130 ° F or over 55 ° C).
• Keep the humidity in your home low to prevent mold from forming.
• Stay indoors when pollen levels are high.
• Keep your windows closed.
• Do not smoke, and stay away from areas with smoke.
• Don’t let your pets into the bedroom or on furniture.
• Plan regular deep cleanings of the house.
• Eliminate water leaks to prevent mold from developing there.
• Reduce your risk of catching a cold by washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding people with cold symptoms.

How To Get Rid Of Itchy Ears And Throat

Treating the symptoms of an itchy throat and ears depends on the cause.

Manage allergy symptoms with antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) and decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).

Nasal steroids such as fluticasone (Flonase) are effective and available over the counter. Decongestants are available as tablets, eye drops, and nasal sprays.

Consult an allergist if you have a food allergy or a bad reaction to certain foods. The allergist can recommend vaccinations to prevent the body from reacting to the allergen. If the allergy medication is not strong enough, the allergist should be consulted again.

A skin or blood test can confirm whether there is a trigger for your allergy. Once you have identified the food in question, you may want to avoid it altogether or at least try to eat it less often.

If you have a severe food allergy, carry an Epinephrine autoinjector (also known as adrenaline autoinjector), like an EpiPen, in case of a severe allergic reaction. Before purchasing, check the list of ingredients for the food.

A sore throat and itchy ears could be a side effect of medication. Call your doctor immediately if you have a severe side effect or reaction to a prescription drug.

Your doctor may suggest you stop taking this medication, change the dose, or be reassessed for a replacement medication.

Get immediate medical attention for symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or swelling of the face and neck.

You can relieve your symptoms with over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Advil if you have a cold.

You can also try decongestant tablets such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), decongestant nasal sprays, or a combination of cold medications such as dextromethorphan (Delsym).

Most colds dissolve by themselves within 7 to 10 days. Call your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than 10 days or worsen over time.

Seek medical help immediately if you experience serious symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, hives, severe headaches, sore throat, swelling of the face, or difficulty swallowing.

Your doctor may conduct a blood test or swab of the throat to determine if you have a bacterial or viral infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.

Risk factors for allergies are common in children, and symptoms may improve with age. Underlying health conditions such as asthma can worsen symptoms and increase the risk of an allergy.

If a family member has an allergy, you can share similar genes and develop the allergy yourself.

Itchy Throat And Ears Coronavirus (COVID-19)

An itchy throat and ears could signify Coronavirus (COVID-19). With the current conditions being as they are, it is important to consider coronavirus and act accordingly if you think you have it.

Many hospitals, emergency departments, and general practices are full of coronavirus cases, so if your symptoms are not severe, we recommend you call your health facility before visiting. This helps stop the spread of the virus.

People who are normally healthy, and have mild symptoms, can manage their symptoms safely and effectively at home.

It can take 14 days for any symptoms to show after being infected with the coronavirus. If you have been in contact with someone with coronavirus or experience the following symptoms, you must remain in quarantine and seek medical attention if symptoms become severe.

Alongside an itchy throat and ears coronavirus, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Fever (above 100.4 F / 37.6°C)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Muscle ache or other body parts
• Headache
• Conjunctivitis
• Loss of taste or smell
• Skin rash or discoloration of fingers or toes
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY IF THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME SEVERE

Severe symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest
• Loss of speech or mobility

Coronavirus is spread through coughing, sneezing, or when coming into close contact with an infected person.

We recommend that you follow the CDC guidelines or your country’s health regulations to prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep yourself and your family safe.