Witch hazel and mullein oil are both herbal home remedies that can reduce irritation that causes itching around your dog's ears. Partially wet a cotton ball with either the witch hazel or mullein oil, and gently rub it around your dog's outer ear where you see any inflammation to help soothe their skin.
You need an ear cleanser that can battle germs and soothe any irritation or itching. As a nontoxic solution, Vetericyn's antimicrobial ear rinse does the job. No stinging alcohols, no harmful steroids, only fast itch relief and efficient cleaning for your dog's ears.
Common causes include skin allergies, ear infections and ear mites. Contact your vet as soon as possible if you notice your dog head shaking/scratching their ears – the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat.
People may be able to relieve itchiness at home by using a few drops of baby oil or olive oil. OTC eardrops may also help. If an infection is causing the itchiness, a person may require antibiotics. In cases of earwax blockage, a doctor can safely remove the earwax and provide prevention tips.
With no other symptoms, itching ears are more often a symptom of dry skin, and if that is the case, then simply applying one squirt of Earol sterile olive oil spray twice a week will usually reduce or eliminate the itchiness by moisturising the skin.
Ear mites cause intense scratching. If you look in your dog's ears and see dark brown debris that resembles coffee grounds, then your dog most likely has ear mites. This parasite can be shared with cats, dogs and other animals (like the family ferret).
Signs of ear mites in dogs include scratching around the ears, head and neck, skin irritation, head shaking, the presence of an ear discharge that is dark and waxy (resembling coffee grounds) and an unpleasant odour from the ears.
Ear mites are tiny, spider-like parasites that are found in dogs, cats, ferrets, and foxes. They don't actually bite the animals, but they do cause irritation that makes your dog's ears extremely itchy. Half the time when a dog has red, irritated ears, the Companion Animal Parasite Council says ear mites are to blame.
DON'T: Never put Vaseline inside your dog's ears. Don't use Vaseline as a way to treat hot spots or other skin irritations on your dog. If your pet has any kind of skin disorder, always consult with your veterinarian first.
Baking Soda. Baking soda can be an effective treatment for ear mites in dogs, but be careful not to allow your dog to ingest it. Mix one cup of warm water with one teaspoon of baking soda. Soak this in a cotton ball and use it to rub your dog's ear.
Yeast infections in a dog's ears generally cause redness, a brown discharge, head shaking or rubbing, odor, and itching. Ear mite infections are extremely itchy and can cause many of the same symptoms. The discharge from the ear is usually dark and waxy or crusty.
They look like tiny white dots, but can barely be seen with the naked eye. Ear mites live on the skin of the ear canal and feed off ear wax and skin oils. An adult normally lives for around two months, but they can multiply quickly.
The best way to help itchy ears is to see the vet. Home remedies or over-the-counter “cures” typically don't help, and may even make the situation worse. Your veterinary team will examine your dog's ears, check their eardrum for damage, and take an ear swab to examine under a microscope.
The best treatment is to avoid contact with nickel, but if you have mild symptoms, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines can help. Mild ear itchiness is usually temporary and goes away on its own. If your itch lasts more than a few days, or if you have other symptoms, see your doctor.
Itching: The first sign of an ear mite infestation may be your dog scratching his head. Dark, crumbly reddish-brown discharge: This is often composed of dried blood and will resemble coffee grounds. Wounds, inflammation, and infections: The scratching may lead to cuts and infections in the ear.
In the first instance, you can use a diluted apple cider vinegar solution to clean your dog's ears. Apple cider vinegar helps by acting as a cleanser and an anti-fungal and antibacterial agent. Dabbing this into your dog's ears sparingly can help to clean out the inside of their ears and treat the infection.
One common fungal ear infection home remedy is diluted hydrogen peroxide. This helps remove discharge and buildup from your ears. You can also try carbamide peroxide eardrops or a 1:1 mixture of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
Tea Tree Oil
Mix a few drops of oil with a tablespoon of olive oil and warm slightly. Fill a clean dropper with the mixture and drop into the infected ear. Lay on your side with the oil in your ear for about three minutes. Turn your head to drain the oil out.
Using natural coconut oil in your ear helps soothe bothersome symptoms like pain, itchiness, and dryness while moisturizing and cleansing your ear canal. Coconut oil is commonly used for ear health due to its lack of side effects.
Types of Essential Oils for Ear Infections
Some research suggests that three specific oils—tea tree oil, garlic oil, and basil oil—may help fight ear infections and improve symptoms.
Sugar feeds the yeast that is naturally present in the dog's body, so when a dog consumes too much sugar, yeast overgrowth occurs in the body and around the ear folds or in the canal, causing infection.