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Can Allergies Bother Your Ears

How Allergies Affect Your Hearing

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Now that March is half over, allergy season will soon be in full swing. About one out of every five people in Phoenix experiences allergies. In addition to the usual barrage of cold-like symptoms that includes itchy, watery eyes runny nose sneezing nasal congestion cough sore throat and post-nasal drip, allergy sufferers are also at risk of experiencing temporary hearing loss.

Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Your Skin Or Scalp To Itch

When you think of hayfever, you think of watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and wheezing. Do seasonal allergies have other symptoms? Can seasonal allergies cause your skin or scalp to itch? Yes, seasonal allergies release a neurotransmitter called histamine that causes blood vessels to dilate and this can cause your skin to itch and even rashes such as hives or eczema.

Can Allergies Cause Ear Infections

Allergies can also lead to the development of ear infections. People who have seasonal or year long allergies are more likely to experience ear infections than those without.

Environmental allergies can irritate the eustachian tube, which runs from the middle ear to the throat. The eustachian tube helps balance pressure between the outer and inner ear.

An allergy can cause swelling around the eustachian tube, which can prevent fluid from draining away from the middle ear.

If this fluid collects behind the ear drum, it increases the risk of bacteria and viruses growing in the fluid. These bacteria and viruses can cause an ear infection in the middle ear.

Symptoms of a middle ear infection can appear suddenly and may include:

  • swelling

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What Are Ear Infection Due To Allergies

Inflamed and irritated skin are typical signs of an allergy in dogs, and the skin in the ear is not immune to the changes. An allergy, whether contact, inhalant, or food will influence the condition of the inner ear and surrounding skin.

In order to cure a chronic ear infection due to allergies, the source of the allergy must be determined and dealt with first. The ear contains skin, glands, and fluid which are all part of the normal ear make-up. In addition, a natural balance of yeast and bacteria can be found in the ear as well. When the balance is disrupted , the ear becomes infected.

Signs like shaking of the head and the obvious discomfort of your dog when you try to touch or check his ears will alert you to the fact that along with the allergies, your pet has an ear infection. A veterinary visit is necessary so that your pet can be relieved of the pain and itching of an ear infection due to allergies.

Chronic ear infection in dogs is one of the most common ailments found to occur concurrently with allergies. Along with providing relief for your pets discomfort, a veterinarian can evaluate your dogs ears in order to diagnose the cause of the irritation. An ear infection is described in medical terms as otitis externa.

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Tips To Prevent Sinus Infections

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In order to avoid ear pain and temporary hearing loss due to clogged ears as a result of sinus infections one must prevent sinus infections. Here are some tips to help you prevent sinus infections and avoid the complications associated with it.

  • Control your allergies.
  • Keep hydrated, which keeps mucus thin.
  • Reduce alcohol consumption, which can worsen mucus.
  • Minimize exposure to people with cold or flu.
  • Always wash your hands and avoid germs.
  • Avoid chlorinated swimming pools.
  • Take a nasal spray or decongestant prior to flying.
  • Dont smoke, which can aggravate sinusitis, or quit smoking.

These tips can better help protect you against sinus infections. If you do develop a sinus infection, begin treatment right away to reduce complications.

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Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University . He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine , and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.

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How Is Allergic Rhinitis Diagnosed

If your symptoms interfere with your daily life, see your family doctor. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Keeping a record of your symptoms over a period of time can help your doctor determine what triggers your allergies.

Your doctor may want to do an allergy skin test to determine what you are allergic to. During an allergy skin test, tiny amounts of allergens are applied to your skin. You will feel tiny pricks to your skin. It is not painful. Your doctor will observe and record the way your skin reacts to each allergen.

Your doctor may also decide to do a blood test, such as the radioallergosorbent test . This test identifies antibodies in your blood that determine what youre allergic to. Once your allergens are identified, you and your doctor can decide the best treatment.

Can Allergies Affect Your Ears

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Autumn is hay fever season. Theres also pollen, grass, pet dander and dust contributing to allergies. The most common symptoms are itchy and watery eyes and a stuffy nose. Can allergies affect your ears? Yes, in several ways.

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How What You Breathe Affects Your Skin

It may seem strange that something you breathe can cause a problem with your skin, but its all related to the immune system.

Seasonal allergies are caused by windblown ragweed pollen or mold spores. These tiny bits contain proteins that your body misidentifies. When you inhale an allergen, your body doesnt see a harmless protein, it sees an evil invader.

The immune system begins strong warfare, and one of its primary weapons is histamine. Histamine affects almost all parts of your body, including the nervous and digestive systems. It causes blood vessels to swell. You can have hives or eczema or just dry, itchy skin. Thats how seasonal allergies cause your skin to itch. Now heres what to do about it.

Allergies Can Cause Ear Infections Too

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If you have allergies, youre at a higher risk for developing ear infections. This is because when the Eustachian tubes are blocked and fluid begins to pool, the ears become a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to an infection. This type of infection is known as otitis media, which can cause other symptoms such as tinnitus , dizziness and balance issues. In rare but severe cases, the eardrum may even rupture.

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Joy Victory Managing Editor Healthy Hearing

Joy Victory has extensive experience editing consumer health information. Her training in particular has focused on how to best communicate evidence-based medical guidelines and clinical trial results to the public. She strives to make health content accurate, accessible and engaging to the public.Read more about Joy.

How Allergies Affect Your Child’s Ears Nose And Throat

Your child has been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, a physiological response to specific allergens such as pet dander or ragweed. The symptoms are fairly simple — a runny nose , watery eyes, and some periodic sneezing. The best solution is to administer over-the-counter antihistamine, and the problem will resolve on its own â¦.right?

Not really – the interrelated structures of the ears, nose, and throat can cause certain medical problems which trigger additional disorders – all with the possibility of serious consequences.

Simple hay fever can lead to long term problems in swallowing, sleeping, hearing, and breathing. Let’s see what else can happen to a child with a case of hay fever.

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Sinus Infections And Other Health Effects

Aside from ear pain and dizziness, a sinus infection can also cause temporary hearing loss. Sinus-related hearing loss occurs when the infection spreads to the ears, specifically the middle ear. Hearing can become affected if inflammation puts pressure on the ear drum. This inflammation can cause discharge of fluid and the build-up of fluid in the eardrum, which leads to pain and temporary hearing loss.

When the fluid and pressure are relieved the hearing loss will reverse, and you can go back to hearing how you previously did, prior to the infection. If the fluid does not drain commonly seen in children the continuous pressure can cause the eardrum to burst, which contributes to permanent hearing loss.

Its important to prevent sinus infections as well as treating them right away, so that you dont encounter any complications.

Other health complications that can stem from a sinus infection are headaches and throat problems, such as coughing or a sore throat.

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How Are Your Ears Affected By Spring Allergies

What

Allergy season is almost here. If you suffer from terrible seasonal allergies, you might already begin to have flashbacks of last years experiences. One particular symptom you might remember is discomfort in the ears. This might have prompted you to wonder how allergies affect your ears, if at all. The nasal passage and throat are connected, which can certainly cause problems in one area to affect the other.

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How Are Your Ears Affected

Our ears are made up of three parts the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Allergic reactions can cause the outer ear to itch or swell. The middle ear contains the Eustachian tube, which acts as a drainage tube of sorts. When mucus clogs the middle ear it affects that drainage. Pressure builds, which can lead to discomfort, popping in the ears or an earache. Your middle ear may itch as well. The inner ear is filled with fluid, and if this fluid becomes infected, you may suffer dizziness, ringing in the ear or loss of balance.

Sometimes a stuffy nose and sinus pressure can radiate to the ears, causing pressure or earaches.

Some people experience a short-term hearing loss due to an allergic reaction. This is known as conductive hearing loss and usually is temporary and resolves itself when the allergies subside.

Young children commonly experience middle ear infections, which may be triggered by allergies. These infections are known as otitis media. If these occur often, a professional may recommend allergy tests.

Will Allergy Medicine Help

Over-the-counter allergy medications can help take care of multiple symptoms, including any allergic reactions in the ear. Antihistamines and decongestants can reduce the feeling of fullness in the ear.

Other treatments that may help with allergic reactions in the ear include a warm compress, such as a washcloth placed on the ear or prescription eardrops. Pain medication also may help an earache.

If you have an infection, your health care provider can prescribe an antibiotic.

If pressure in the ear doesnt go away or becomes painful, its important to see a hearing care provider right away.

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Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis typically causes cold-like symptoms, such as sneezing, itchiness and a blocked or runny nose.

These symptoms usually start soon after being exposed to an allergen.

Some people only get allergic rhinitis for a few months at a time because they’re sensitive to seasonal allergens, such as tree or grass pollen. Other people get allergic rhinitis all year round.

Most people with allergic rhinitis have mild symptoms that can be easily and effectively treated.

But for some people symptoms can be severe and persistent, causing sleep problems and interfering with everyday life.

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis occasionally improve with time, but this can take many years and it’s unlikely that the condition will disappear completely.

When Do People Usually Get Hay Fever

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You can have hay fever any time of the year. Seasonal allergies occur in the spring, summer and early fall when trees and weeds bloom and pollen counts are higher. Perennial allergies can happen year-round. They result from irritants that are always around, such as pet dander, cockroaches and dust mites.

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Living With Allergic Rhinitis

Living with the symptoms of allergic rhinitis can affect your daily life. Nasal symptoms can be worse when lying down. This can disturb your ability to sleep well. Fatigue and headaches can affect your ability to function at school and work. There are many medicines and treatments that can help you manage your symptoms. Talk to your doctor as soon as you feel that your symptoms are getting worse or are not easy to control. He or she can help you come up with the right plan to control them so they dont affect your ability to live your normal life.

Sudden Extreme And Really Itchy Ears

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The most likely cause of very itchy ear canal, if they happen all over a sudden is allergic reaction. Some infections can also result to severe itching but it is unlikely to be sudden i.e. sudden, severe, or unusual should be evaluated for a serious food allergy that can come on rapidly, with a strong need to scratch. Furthermore, sudden itching could be life threatening if it a sign you have anaphylaxis.

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Treatments For Neck Pain

Identifying the correct source of your neck pain is critical to a successful treatment. Proper diagnosis of your neck pain problem starts with a visit to a pain specialist. Your visit will include a complete medical history and a thorough physical examination.

Based on your individual neck problem, your pain specialist may offer a number of treatments:

Treatments for muscle tension in the neck

  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Trigger point injections with numbing agents and/or steroids
  • Botox injections

Are There Food Allergies That Cause Earaches

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There’s a chance that food allergies can cause earaches, since earaches are commonly the result of ear infections and research has shown that food allergies are linked to ear infections. Children are the most common sufferers of both ear infections and food allergies. The way that food allergies work is your immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins found in the foods you’re allergic to as dangerous, even though they’re perfectly safe. Then whenever you eat foods with those proteins in them, your immune system sends out an antibody called immunoglobulin E to handle the allergen. The antibody triggers a slew of chemicals to fight off the allergen one of those chemicals is called histamine, and it’s responsible for many types of allergic symptoms.

One of the symptoms of food allergies is swelling. Research has shown that among the parts of your body that can swell due to food allergies is the Eustachian tube that connects your throat to your ear. Bacteria-filled fluids typically pass through that tube if it swells up, the fluid gets trapped in your middle ear. In the warm, dark recess behind your eardrum, the bacteria thrive and cause an ear infection. That ear infection can cause your ear to hurt.

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Home Remedies For Itchy Ears Remedies For Itchy Ears

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Besides the treatment for itchy inner ear or ear canal, you can try various home remedies for itchy ears to help relieve the itchiness. Some of the popular natural treatments you can give a try include

  • For dry itchy ear canal or flaky and itchy inner ear A few drops of warn mineral or vegetable oils such as olive oil will keep moisture off your ear and avoid dryness if you have a problem of dry itchy or flaky ear canal. Do a wrist test to avoid being burnt.
  • Use of Alcohol and water To remove debris and kill any bugs is injecting alcohol or water via a bulb or ear syringe. The same syringe is can be used to draw water or alcohol you injected.

Other home remedies for itchy inside ear include the use of coconut oil, a mixture of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, tea tree oil, etc. to help fight any infection and soothe irritation.

Moisture Impacts Hearing Aids

Spring also brings challenges for those with hearing aids, as the rise in allergens and wet weather means paying closer attention to maintenance and upkeep of hearing devices. For example, increased allergens can clog microphone ports in hearing aids, so be sure to clean hearing aids regularly and replace covers of mic ports when necessary.

Increased allergens can clog microphone ports in hearing aids, so be sure to clean hearing aids regularly.

Along with allergens, spring is accompanied by heat, humidity, rain and extreme temperature changes. Moisture is the enemy of hearing aids, as it can build up in the tubing, damage the microphone and receiver and cause static. In addition, warm weather means more ear wax build-up, which can clog the sound openings.

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How Can Your Ears Affect Your Eyes

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I hear this question from patients all the time: Im told my dizziness and unsteadiness are coming from an inner ear problem, but I feel like theres something wrong with my vision. My optometrist insists my eyes are fine. Is there a connection? You bet there is! The inner ear and the muscles that move your eyes are intimately connected through a reflex called the vestibulo-ocular reflex or VOR.

There are only two junctions between nerves along the path of this reflex, making it one of the fastest in the body. We can thank these reflexes to help us focus clearly when we move our head. This is referred to as gaze stability.As soon as you move your head, the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear senses the precise direction and speed of that movement and tells your brain about it. The brain then uses that information to instruct our eye muscles to counter the head movement and keep whatever youre looking at in focus.

As I look across my kitchen at the word Panasonic on my microwave, and shake my head back and forth, nod it up and down, bounce up and down, rock side to side, etc., Im still able to tell it says Panasonic, even if I move really quickly.

Imagine how severely limiting that would be driving, sports, looking for items on store shelves as you walk along forget it! This is not an eye problem that would get detected at the optometrists office, but instead suggests some sort of breakdown along the pathway of the VOR. Possibilities include:

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