Allergy problems are common – especially during the spring and summer when trees and plants are blooming and pollen is in the air. When most people hear the word allergy, they think of seasonal allergies and hay fever — but allergies can also involve immune responses to food, drugs, molds, stings, pets, medications, and more. The most common symptoms are ear pain infection.
Allergies and ear pain: hearing is affected
In some cases cold or allergy in seats in causes obstruction of the eustachian tube with fluid built up in the middle ear without fluid. be infected When this happens, there is usually no ear pain, but hearing is reduced as the fluid thickens and interferes with the eardrum’s ability to vibrate and transmit sound. The ears can also be very full and “pop” when swallowing.
Children are at greater risk for eustachian tube dysfunction and fluid build-up in the middle ear because their eustachian tubes are narrow and angled more horizontally than adults. Children are also more likely to develop adenoids which can block the eustachian tube.
Allergy and Pain: How is it treated?
Ear pain with allergies usually requires a visit to the doctor, because the pain means that the fluid in the middle ear is infected. If the only symptom is ear fullness without pain, the goal is to open the closed Eustachian tube so that the fluid and mucus can drain normally. Decongestants and nasal steroid sprays help by reducing inflammation and reducing the swelling of the mucous membranes. They also help to relieve some other allergy symptoms.
In some cases, middle ear fluid treatment does not improve. Fluid in the middle ear is considered chronic if it does not go away after six weeks. When this happens, some doctors recommend placing ear tubes to better support the middle ear canal – especially if hearing is affected. Fortunately, most middle ear fluid resolves over several weeks without the need to insert a tube.
Can Allergies Cause Ear Pain?: The Bottom Line
There is an association between allergies and ear pain, but when the pain occurs it usually indicates an ear infection caused by a buildup of fluid in the middle ear from allergies If you have allergies and ear pain, it is best to see a doctor.
Notes:
Merck Manual The eighth edition
