Can spring allergies trigger an ear infection? Find out here.
Ear infections often happen to children, but adults can suffer from ear infections, too. Seasonal allergies are something that everyone can suffer from, and in Maryland, spring and fall are full of pollen and other common allergens. Can seasonal allergies cause ear infections?
Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Ear Infections?
Ear infections are often viral and happen when someone has a respiratory illness like a cough or cold. The virus can enter the middle ear through the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the nose and mouth to regulate inner ear air pressure. A virus can also enter the ear through the ear canal.
Seasonal allergies can cause an ear infection when the allergic reaction inflames the Eustachian tubes and the middle ear. An ear infection could also result from an allergic reaction to food or another substance.
Can seasonal allergies cause ear infections? Yes, yes they can.
Treating Allergies and Ear Infections
Be aware of what causes allergies for you or your child and take preventative measures. An over-the-counter allergy medicine taken before exposure to an allergen, like pollen, will help immensely.
You can also try eating foods like local honey to decrease your allergy symptoms naturally. This avenue is less researched but could be worth considering.
As for ear infections, they will typically resolve themselves. Just as you must treat the symptoms and let your body fight a virus when you have a fever, so you can treat ear pain and inflammation and let your body fight off an ear infection on its own.
If you experience an ear drum rupture, see your doctor immediately to get a prescription for antibiotics.
Other Possible Consequences of Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies can affect your ears in other ways, namely ear pain and mild hearing loss from inflammation. The inflammation can also lead to tinnitus, a subjective high-pitched tone or ringing in the ears. If you experience tinnitus from seasonal allergies, relax and use soothing sounds to muffle the noise.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.