Monday, March 25, 2024
HomePopularCan Your Ears Hurt From Allergies

Can Your Ears Hurt From Allergies

What Is A Blocked Eustachian Tube

Episode 13 Ear pain and sinus pain

Eustachian tubes are inside the ears and connect the middle ear to the back of the nose. They help the ears drain fluid, stabilize air pressure inside the ear, and keep germs out.

Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the throat. When you yawn or swallow, the tubes open to match the pressure inside the ears to the pressure outside. Sometimes fluid or pressure can get stuck in the ear or swelling can occur, which blocks the tubes. The pressure outside the tubes gets too high and causes pain.

Are There Food Allergies That Cause Earaches

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.

What Is An Allergic Reaction

Your immune system is responsible for defending your body from invaders like viruses and bacteria, but sometimes it mistake a harmless substance for something dangerous and attacks. The result is an allergic reaction.

During a reaction, the immune system releases antibodies that send a message to cells to release a chemical called histamine. Histamine prompts the blood vessels to expand and causes other symptoms you know so well, such as:

  • Sneezing
  • Itchy, runny or stuffy nose
  • Red, watery eyes
  • Coughing, wheezing and tight chest
  • Rash, hives and swelling
  • Itchy or painful ears

Don’t Miss: What’s Better For Allergies Claritin Or Zyrtec

How Do Allergies Cause Ear Pain

When the body is exposed to allergens normally harmless substances that the immune system deems a threat it releases the chemical histamine, which causes inflammation, mucus production and itching. This primarily affects the eyes, sinuses, nose and throat, but can also affect the ears.

More specifically, allergies can cause:

  • Blockage of the Eustachian tubes.
  • Fluid buildup behind the eardrum.
  • Development of an ear infection.

There Are 4 Types Of Sinuses Which Are All Found In Pairs With One On Each Side Of The Face

Ear Pain and Allergies: Treatment and Preventing Infection
  • Frontal sinuses
  • Large cavities in the frontal bone which create the bottom part of the forehead and extend over the eyebrowns and eye sockets. The size and shape varies in different people.
  • Ethmoid sinuses
  • Multiple small cavities located between the nose and eyes.
  • Maxillary sinuses
  • Largest type with three pyramid-shaped cavities pointing in, down, and to the side.
  • Sphenoid sinuses
  • You May Like: Can You Buy Allergy Medicine With Fsa

    Whats The Best Way To Treat Allergy Tooth Pain

    First, its important to determine that your tooth pain is indeed from allergies. Consulting with your dentist will help you determine this as they will be able to identify any other factors that could be leading to the pain. Once its determined that your tooth pain is being caused by allergies, you should then take measures to try and relieve your sinus inflammation. Taking allergy medication for this purpose can help reduce the pain. Other medications that can help are decongestants or nasal sprays.

    Allergy tooth pain will commonly be accompanied by common allergy symptoms. If youre experiencing tooth pain without other allergy symptoms, that could be a good indication that you need to seek a dental examination to assess your pain further. Its recommended that any tooth pain is evaluated by your dentist to find the root cause and ensure that you arent suffering from an infection that could cause more severe damage over time.

    Want to determine whether your tooth pain is caused by seasonal allergies or an infection? Schedule an appointment today!

    You Might Also Enjoy…

    Allergies And Your Nose

    Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is the term typically used to describe the allergic reaction that happens in your nose. You may have uncontrollable sneezing or a runny and stuffy nose.

    Nasal Spray for Allergy Relief

    If you suffer from severe allergies or frequent sinus infections, youre probably all too familiar with the fast-acting power of nasal spray. And while these sprays can clear a stuffy nose in seconds, not all nasal sprays are created equal.

    There are four common types of nasal sprays on the market today:

    • Saline: Because saline sprays are made from mostly salt and water, theyre safe to use every day.
    • Antihistamine: These sprays are typically used to relieve congestion and usually cause less drowsiness than antihistamine pills, and are available by all available over the counter. Talk to one of our Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia board-certified allergy specialists about which one we recommend.
    • Steroid: These sprays can be used as a preventative measure and to control allergy symptoms. They are available over the counter and can be used daily during allergy season to provide relief.
    • Decongestant sprays are popular because they instantly shrink the blood vessels in your nose and alleviate congestion. However, they can also cause nasal spray addiction. This is because people find themselves needing the spray to breathe easily even when allergies are not making them congested.

    Also Check: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec

    Home Remedies For Itchy Ears Remedies For Itchy Ears

    img source: yucatanalamano.com

    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

    Allergies, Ear Ringing, Sleep Problems, Headaches, Neck/UpperBack/LowBack Pain Gone “Magical”

    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.

    Don’t Miss: Is Cetirizine Drowsy

    Why Do I Suffer From Itchy Behind Ears

    Itchy behind ears could be due to a number of conditions that include:

    • Seborrheic dermatitis also common on the outer ear characterized by lesions, plagues, and white and flaking, or yellowish, oily, and sticky dandruff
    • Ringworms characterized by a scaly silvery or red rash or patch, itchiness and inflammation
    • Head lice can also be responsible for itchiness not just behind your ears but also in your scalp

    Itchy behind ears can also be caused by bug bites, allergic reactions, infections contact dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema among other skin related problems if they affect this particular area.

    Why Do I Have Itchy Ear Lobe

    img source: medicalnewstoday.com

    If you have itchy ear lobes, the common cause could be problems relating to piercing, earlobe skin irritation and dryness. Allergies to nickel used in earrings and other metals can cause ear lobe itchiness.

    Furthermore, infections including ring worms, contact dermatitis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, bug bites especially from head lice, psoriasis, etc. can cause ear lobe irritation, itchiness, rash such as small red bumps, scaling, swelling, etc.

    Don’t Miss: Can Allergies Make You Throw Up

    How Can It Be Treated

    There are some home remedies that can help towards alleviating the symptoms of hay fever or pollen allergy. Seasonal issues will come and go, any hearing loss from hay fever, congestion or a pollen allergy will resolve itself after a while. However, if you feel you are struggling with the symptoms, here are some useful treatments to try:

    • Washing the affected ear gently with a warm cloth and drying thoroughly
    • Inhaling steam or menthol to open the Eustachian tube to allow fluid from the middle ear to drain away
    • Equalising the pressure in your ears by yawning, chewing gum or holding your nose and blowing gently until your ears pop
    • Taking antihistamines or other over-the-counter allergy relief tablets

    Tell Us About The Connection Between Allergies And Ear Pain

    Pain in ear when swallowing: Is it an ear infection or ...

    When allergies cause ear pain, its a little like a plumbing problem, but in your body instead of your bathroom. Allergies cause nasal congestion and swelling, which in turn causes pressure to build up in the eustachian tubes, which connect your ears to your throat and nasal cavity.

    We experience that built-up pressure as ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ears. Your ears may also itch, which is caused by histamines .

    Recommended Reading: Guaifenesin And Hypertension

    Can Hay Fever Affect My Hearing

    Allergies such as hay fever and pollen allergies tend to rise during the summer months due to an increase in pollen levels, potentially causing temporary hearing problems. Our bodies treat pollen as a harmful substance and therefore attempt to defend the body by releasing a chemical called histamine. Once histamine has been released, it can result in the membrane lining of our Eustachian tube becoming inflamed. An inflammation of the Eustachian tube can bring about an imbalance in pressure, creating the feeling of blocked ears.

    Hay fever is a common allergy that many people suffer from. Common symptoms of hay fever are sneezing and congestion, resulting in an excessive mucus build-up in the middle ear. This can prevent sound waves from vibrating the tiny bones inside your middle ear that help you to hear sounds clearly, forming an interesting connection between hay fever and hearing loss . An excessive buildup of mucus can also prevent the Eustachian tube from draining properly, causing added pressure to the ears.

    If you have any urgent concerns about your hearing, please consult your local GP for medical advice.

    How Allergies Affect Your Ears Nose And Throat

    EarsNoseThroat

    The best way to avoid your symptoms is to avoid what causes your allergies in the first place. With help from our Hagerstown, MD ENT doctor, you can successfully control and alleviate your allergy symptoms. Dr. Kirby Scott will perform various tests in order to come to a proper diagnosis, allowing you to breathe easily once again.

    You May Like: Keflex Hives

    When To See A Doctor For Treatment

    If youre suffering from other allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes and a stuffy nose, over-the-counter medication may help your ears as well. Antihistamines can reduce the inflammation caused by the allergy, while decongestants will help with a clogged nose and ears. Because ear pressure can be a symptom of many other problems, its advisable to see a doctor if the pressure doesnt go away or becomes painful. Continued pressure can lead to hearing loss.

    Also, if your allergy symptoms include ringing in the ears or vertigo , a visit to a hearing care provider is in order.

    As many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children reportedly suffer from some type of allergy. Because allergies can cause temporary and in some rare cases permanent hearing loss, its important to know how allergies impact hearing and to address any problems early on.

    Recommended Reading: Can You Drink On Allergy Meds

    Strep Throat Is Lurking

    Sinus Drainage & Headache Relief Exercises | Sinusitis & Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Help | #1

    Though its not as common in adults, strep throat is a bacterial infection that can cause swollen tonsils and inflammation, says Dr. Zalvan. Besides difficulty swallowing, you might also experience bad breath and have trouble opening your mouth.

    Left untreated, bacterial tonsillitis can lead to a more complicated infection that causes pus to collect around the capsule of the tonsil. This infection may require intravenous antibiotics and a drainage procedure to remove the abscess, says Brad DeSilva, MD, otolaryngologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

    Because strep is sometimes associated with sinusitis, ear infections, and pneumonia, it can be hard to tell if your swollen tonsils are the victim of a viral or bacterial infection. If symptoms persist, Dr. DeSilva recommends having your doc run a rapid strep test to determine if antibiotics are needed.

    Recommended Reading: Can You Take Allergy Medicine With Antibiotics

    Learn More About Mountain Ear Nose & Throat Associates

    If youd like to learn more about Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates and what we can do for you, you can contact the team using the following numbers depending on your location:

    • Sylva: 828-586-7474
    • Murphy: 828-835-1014
    • New Asheville: 828-458-8100

    Dont hesitate to get in touch and book your appointment with Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates to come up with a solution for your situation today!

    How To Get Rid Of Clogged Ears Otovent

    It is another simple way to balance the pressure in your ears, in which you will inflate small balloons through the nose in order to pop the ears

    How to do:

    You take a balloon and then put it firmly against your right nostril

    You keep the left nostril closed, inhaling deeply through the mouth.

    Then, you close the mouth and then inflate a small balloon

    Repeat this process by putting the balloon on your left nostril

    Regularly perform this process.

    Read Also: Is Coconut Safe For Nut Allergies

    Treatment For Ear Pain In Children

    Most often physicians initially recommend eardrops for treating ear pain in children, however if an infection in any part of the ear is present then oral or topical antibiotics may be prescribed.

    Home Remedies for Ear Pain in Children

    There are times where home remedies can be very effective for easing mild ear pain in children, which is not associated with any kind of infection. One such simple home remedy for ear pain is a cold or warm compress. It is important to make sure the compress is not extremely cold or warm and that it is only applied to the outer ear.

    Slightly warm olive oil can act as a topical pain reliever and can also be used for softening impacted earwax. This is a safe natural method for earwax removal, provided the eardrum of your child is not perforated.

    Home remedies for severe ear pain in children may not be very effective and is important the child be seen by a physician or the ER if after business hours if the following occurs:

    • No improvement of pain within 72 hours
    • Headache

    What Are These Itchy Rash On Ears

    What Causes Your Ears To Itch And Drain

    img source: imgix.net

    Itch rashes on ears is commonly associated with skin problems or conditions such as eczema , psoriasis , contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, ringworms or bug bites.

    Note that if you have a red-pink rash behind your ears that spreads to your neck and around your head, comes with fever, swollen lymph nodes, cold like symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sore throat or cold, it could be rubella, a viral infection.

    Read Also: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec

    Fungal Infection Or Candida

    If you are prone to fungal infection on your feet, groin or armpit area, it is possible to have that your ear itching is caused by a fungal infection on your ear canal. Frequent swimming might cause moisture in your ears that give a favorable condition for fungal growth leading to itching ear canal. A fungal ear drop will always be recommend.

    Ear Pressure Causes And Treatments

    Keith Alexander, MD is board-certified in Otolaryngology. He provides services in adult and pediatric ear, nose and throat disorders, and treats allergy and sinus patients of all ages. He specializes in functional and cosmetic nasal surgery, including rhinoplasty. Dr. Alexander can be reached at 278-1114.

    Lexington Clinic is Central Kentuckys largest and oldest medical group. With 180+ providers in more than 30 specialties, we have been taking care of 600,000+ visits annually in the Lexington community since 1920.

    1221 South Broadway

    Don’t Miss: How Long Does Allergy Medicine Take To Work

    Home Remedies For Clogged Ears Due To Sinus Infections

    Here are some additional home remedies that can help alleviate ear problems associated with sinus infections and even wax build-up.

    • Yawning helps redistribute the fluid in your ear.
    • Take a hot, steamy shower.
    • Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water and pour it into the ear.
    • Chew gum as it can help move wax out of the ear.
    • Combine rubbing alcohol and vinegar and use the mixture as ear drops.
    • Pinch your nose and blow to pop your ears.
    • Drop warm olive oil into your ear once again this breaks up wax.
    • Combine rubbing alcohol and apple cider vinegar as ear drops to help treat infection.
    • Apply warm compresses to the ears.
    • Gargle with warm water and salt.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular