Unilateral Ear Itch Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions
Understand unilateral ear itch symptoms, including 4 causes & common questions.
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Reviewed by Buoy Medical Review Team
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Contents
4 Possible Unilateral Ear Itch Causes
The list below shows results from the use of our quiz by Buoy users who experienced unilateral ear itch. This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.
Swimmer's ear (otitis externa)
Swimmer's ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the canal which runs from the eardrum to the opening of the ear.
It is caused by anything that introduces bacteria, fungus, or a virus into the canal. Water that stays inside the ear after swimming is a common cause, as are cotton swabs used for cleaning or earpieces that create irritation.
Most susceptible are children, because they have narrower ear canals that do not drain well.
Early symptoms include redness, itching, and discomfort inside the ear canal, sometimes with drainage of clear fluid.
Even mild symptoms should be treated because they can quickly get worse. The infection can spread and intensify, becoming very painful with increased drainage, swelling, fever, and loss of hearing.
Diagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination of the ear canal. Lab tests may be done on a sample of the discharge from the ear.
Treatment includes having a medical provider clean the ear canal of debris and discharge, and a prescription for antibiotic and/or steroid eardrops.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: fever, ear canal pain, ear fullness/pressure, jaw pain, ear pain that gets worse when moving
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Earwax blockage
Ear wax production is a normal process, as the body makes wax to protect the ear from infection. Sometimes ear wax can build up and cover the eardrum, which is a thin layer of skin that stretches across the end of the ear canal and picks up sound from outside. Ear wax buildup has nothing to do with poor hygiene, and it is not possible to prevent a build-up by washing.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: dizziness, dry cough, ear canal pain, ear fullness/pressure, ringing in the ears
Symptoms that never occur with earwax blockage: swollen ear, fever
Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit
Unilateral Ear Itch Symptom Checker
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Chronic earwax blockage
Earwax production is a normal process, as the body makes wax to protect the ear from infection. Sometimes ear wax can build up and cover the eardrum which is a thin layer of skin that stretches across the end of the ear canal and picks up sound from outside.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: dizziness, dry cough, ear canal pain, ringing in the ears, ear fullness/pressure
Symptoms that always occur with chronic earwax blockage: ear canal pain
Symptoms that never occur with chronic earwax blockage: swollen ear, fever
Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit
Allergic contact dermatitis of the ear
Allergic contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes irritated and inflamed following physical contact with an allergen. Common products known to cause allergic dermatitis include plants, metals, soap, fragrance, and cosmetics.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: ear itch, ear redness, scabbed area of the ear
Symptoms that always occur with allergic contact dermatitis of the ear: ear redness
Urgency: Self-treatment
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Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Unilateral Ear Itch
To diagnose this condition, your doctor would likely ask the following questions:
- Any fever today or during the last week?
- Is there anything coming from your ear(s)?
- Do you use cotton-tipped swabs (q-tips) to clean your ears?
- Do you use a hearing aid or wear earplugs?
If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions
Unilateral Ear Itch Symptom Checker
Take a quiz to find out what might be causing your unilateral ear itch
Unilateral Ear Itch Symptom Checker Statistics
People who have experienced unilateral ear itch have also experienced:
- 8% Pain In One Ear Canal
- 4% Sore Throat
- 3% Ear Fullness/Pressure
People who have experienced unilateral ear itch were most often matched with:
- 50% Swimmer'S Ear (Otitis Externa)
- 25% Earwax Blockage
- 25% Chronic Earwax Blockage
People who have experienced unilateral ear itch had symptoms persist for:
- 33% Over a month
- 28% Less than a week
- 22% Less than a day
Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from Buoy Assistant (a.k.a. the quiz).
Unilateral Ear Itch Symptom Checker
Take a quiz to find out what might be causing your unilateral ear itch
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