Can Allergies Affect Your Ears
Have questions? Use our contact form to get in touch with us today! Contact Us
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.
Keep Your Eyes Healthy With Complete Care
Whether your irritation is a one-time occurrence, seasonal or constant, your local Complete Care offers a variety of services that can help. Our experts have experience treating all eye emergencies and can get you in and out in no time with our advanced emergency medicine and short wait times.
For more information, contact us online today.
What Do We Know About Sore Eyes In Children Who Have Covid
Researchers in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the epidemic, studied a group of 216 children infected with COVID-19. The study was conducted between January 26 and March 18, 2020, just as the pandemic was spreading worldwide.;
Of those children, 22.7% had eye-related symptoms. Of those, 55% had a fluid discharge and 39% rubbed their eyes. Just 8% had sore eyes .;
The main takeaway from the Chinese study was that children typically recover without major medical interventions. They might need eye drops but rarely much more intensive treatment. Another crucial finding unrelated to sore eyes: 80% of the children were confirmed to have caught the virus from a family member.;
Children with systemic symptoms appeared more likely to have ocular symptoms, the reports authors state. They speculated that children coughing into their hands and then touching the area around their eyes could be causing ocular symptoms. Another possibility: Coughing forces viral particles in through the tear ducts, where they can infect the eye surface.
Read Also: Can Allergies Make You Short Of Breath
How To Tell If Its Allergies Or Covid
One key difference between coronavirus and seasonal allergies is a fever. Seasonal allergies are not associated with a fever. However, a fever is a common symptom of coronavirus. If youre concerned about your symptoms, be sure to check your temperature. Other possible coronavirus symptoms not associated with allergies include diarrhea and nausea.
Foreign Body In The Eye
Foreign bodies like windblown grit, wood or masonry, or flecks of metal can land in the eye and get stuck there, causing extreme discomfort.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: feeling of something in the eye
Symptoms that always occur with foreign body in the eye: feeling of something in the eye
Urgency: In-person visit
Also Check: Can You Eat Before An Allergy Test
What Are Common Allergy Tooth Pain Symptoms
Allergy tooth pain symptoms can;feel like a toothache from an infection. The symptoms can include:
-
Hypersensitivity to cold or heat
-
Throbbing pain
-
Pain when chewing
These symptoms are usually experienced in the upper teeth due to their proximity to the sinus cavity. When the sinus cavity is inflamed from allergies, the nerves around the sinus cavity can be affected causing pain to the ;surrounding teeth. These symptoms can appear suddenly as well making it hard to identify the cause.
What Is Allergic Conjunctivitis
Different allergens can cause allergic conjunctivitis, including animal dander, mold, and dust mites, per;MedlinePlus, a resource from the US National Library of Medicine. When your eyes are exposed to an allergy-causing substance, this causes your body to release a substance called histamine. When this happens, the blood vessels in your conjunctivaethe membranes that cover the fronts of your eyes and line the inside of your eyelidsbecome swollen.
RELATED:;These Are the 6 Best Vacuum Cleaners to Use If You Have Allergies, According to Reviews
When you’re experiencing allergic conjunctivitis, it might be difficult to tell which part of the eye, exactly, is swollenand the answer isn’t always the same, Feryal Hajee, MD, an allergist and immunologist at Metropolitan Asthma and Allergy in Little Silver, New Jersey, tells;Health. Sometimes, when a person is suffering from allergic conjunctivitis, the actual eyeball is swollen. This should warrant an immediate trip to a medical facility. However, other times, the eyelid is swollen, which should be treated, but doesn’t necessarily warrant a trip to the emergency room, says Dr. Hajee.
Allergic conjunctivitis has been associated with other allergy-related health conditions, says Dr. Hajee, including;eczema ,;asthma, and allergic rhinitis . She adds that allergic conjunctivitis can be worse for patients who also suffer from;dry eye syndrome.
Don’t Miss: How Do Allergens Elicit Allergy Symptoms
Red Eye Is A Common Eye Problem
Red eye is one of the most common eye problems for which people visit a doctor. A description of symptoms and an eye examination by the doctor will usually suggest the cause:
- Pus containing discharge usually indicates that there is bacterial infection.
- Clear discharge suggests a viral or allergic cause.
- Itch and clear discharge suggests an allergic cause, possibly allergic conjunctivitis.
- Mild discomfort or burning often with excess watering may be due to dry eye.
- Vision loss, discomfort in bright sunlight and pain suggest more serious conditions, which should be investigated by an eye specialist .
- A gritty sensation is common in conjunctivitis, but the presence of a foreign body must be excluded, particularly if only one eye is affected.
Other Kinds Of Eye Drops
Some eye drops work only when you take them before your symptoms hit. They take longer to work than antihistamine eye drops, but the effects last longer. Sometimes they are combined with antihistamines. These eye drops need a prescription:
- pemirolastÂ;potassium
Ketorolac (Acular or Acuvail0 is another kind of eye drop. It relieves itchy eyes, usually in about an hour. It can sting or burn at first.
Steroid eye drops like loteprednol treat severe, long-lasting eye allergies. They are usually used only for a short time because they can cause serious side effects.
If youâre still having symptoms, your doctor may suggest allergy shots. With allergy shots, your body is exposed to increasing amounts of an allergen over time and gradually gets used to it. Depending on the cause of your allergies, oral tablets or drops that work much like allergy shots could be used instead.
Also Check: How To Figure Out What Food Allergies You Have
What Causes Dry Itchy Eyes
The medical term for itchy eyes is ocular pruritus . It can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as red eyes, dry eyes, or inflammation and itching of the eyelids. Itchy, dry eyes can be caused by several different factors. Some of the most common causes of eye itchiness include:
- Chronic dry eye
Find Relief From Itchy Eyes At Last
Get help from the expert doctors at Advanced ENT & Allergy Center to find lasting relief from itchy eyes. Our specialists have helped Colorado residents get rid of their dry, red, itchy eye symptoms for decades. Make an appointment today to stop itchy irritation and start seeing with happy, healthy eyes.
Recommended Reading: How Can Chiropractic Help Allergies
Protect Your Eyes From The Coronavirus
Keep in mind that while the coronavirus isnt always accompanied by eye irritation, it can be transmitted via your eyes. Your eyes can be exposed to virus particles that spray when someone coughs, or by touching an infected surface and then rubbing your eye.;
This is why its so important to social distance. If you must go out, wearing glasses can help reduce exposure. You should also avoid touching your eyes.
Contact Lenses May Cause Symptoms
- Giant Papillary and Giant Follicular conjunctivitis , can occur in contact lens wearers and is similar in appearance to vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
- It usually occurs in soft contact lens wearers, but is occasionally seen in hard lens wearers, andÂ;may be due to the lens material itself, or the lens cleansing material, which contains thiomersal.
- Sometimes the condition improves with a decreased wearing time, occasionally changing the lens to another polymer or soaking the lens in sterile water after an antibacterial solution.
Also Check: How Much Is A Food Allergy Test
The Link Between Seasonal Allergies And Chronic Pain
Do you notice your seasonal allergies causing back pain or chronic joint pain? Youre not alone! With spring right around the corner, our ISPM physicians begin to see a large number of patients who feel worsening chronic pain when seasonal allergies hit. Without further ado, lets get into the link between seasonal allergies and chronic pain.
Seasonal Allergies & Chronic Pain
Inflammation- Both joint pain and allergies are caused by inflammation in the body.
Fatigue- Often times, allergies cause you to be fatigued which can also be a trigger for chronic pain.
Shifts in weather- Rapid changes in temperature, humidity or barometric pressure can cause pain to feel worse.
Emotional factors– Allergies can cause your brain to feel foggy and less focused. The lack of mental clarity leads to worsening emotional stability and the potential for chronic pain to be triggered.
The Link
Seasonal allergies put extra stress on the body which can make chronic pain symptoms feel more intense. It can also affect your immune systemand in turncause inflammation in your joints leading to pain. Allergies are a big producer of body aches. Constant coughing and sneezing leads to headaches, neck and back pain. Anyone already dealing with chronic pain may find this very overwhelming!
The physicians at ISPM are here to help get your pain under controlno matter the season.
Seasonal Allergies
-
Sinus congestion
-
Joint pain, neck pain or back pain
Prevent Pain During Allergy Season
What To Do About Ocular Allergies
Ocular allergies pose no threat to your eyesight and they are not contagious. Its not like pink eye, even though the redness can appear like it.
The allergic reaction can impact sufferers quality of life, though. Blurry vision and constantly rubbing the eyes can interfere with work and having a good time outdoors when the weather warms up. This can be highly depressing, which is why most people who deal with this end up making an appointment with their optometrist.
An optometrist, or eye doctor, will perform a thorough eye exam. This exam will include asking questions about your symptoms and using eye instruments to take a deep look into the eyes to rule out any other issues.
If seasonal allergies are suspected to be the cause of the eye irritation, the optometrist may request that you seek an allergy test. The allergy test results will confirm your eye problems are due to pollen and/or mold spores.
Eye allergy treatment often consists of the following:
Also Check: Can Allergies Cause Flu Like Symptoms
Where Does It Hurt
Sometimes discomfort or pain results from a problem in your eye or the parts around it, such as:
- Cornea: The clear window in the front of your eye that focuses light
- Sclera: The whites of your eyes
- Conjunctiva: The ultra-thin covering of your sclera and the inside of your eyelid
- Iris: The colored part of your eye, with the pupil in the middle
- Orbit: A bony cave in your skull where the eye and its muscles are located.
- Extraocular muscles: They rotate your eye.
- Nerves: They carry visual information from your eyes to your brain.
- Eyelids: Outside coverings that protect and spread moisture over your eyes.
Common Winter Eye Allergy Triggers And What To Do About Them
Winter allergens can cause hay fever, a reaction within the bodys immune system resulting from exposure to irritants in the air. Common symptoms include coughing or wheezing, headaches, sore throat, runny nose, irritated skin, and watery or red, itchy eyes. There are ways to spot these winter allergen triggers and take steps toward alleviating your symptoms.
You May Like: Can Allergies Cause Headaches And Fatigue
Why Are My Eyes Itchy Answers From An Expert
For many people, the warmth and beauty of spring are accompanied by irritated, burning and, sometimes, swollen eyes and eyelids. These symptoms, often attributed to allergy season, can be caused by other factors in the environment.
If you are one of the many who suffer from itchy eyes, understanding the cause is the key to treatment and relief.
Ophthalmologist Irene Kuo, M.D., of the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine, explains the cause and the methods to keep in mind to help relieve your itchy eyes.
Eye allergies, whether seasonal or year-round, are often the cause of itchy eyes. These allergies can be triggered by pollen or pet dander. Irritants like dust and smoke, or products such as lotions, makeup or contact lens solutions can also cause symptoms similar to those of eye allergies. An allergist can conduct an allergy test to determine the specific allergens that are causing you discomfort.
Wash Your Hands And Face Frequently
As mentioned above, many eye allergy symptoms come from allergens landing on the eye. In addition to floating airborne allergens, your eyes could also suffer from contact with allergens that are transferred in on your skin or hair.
Wash your hands more frequently during allergy season. You should also wash your face twice a day and rinse the area around your eyes as needed. These steps reduce the concentration of allergens on your skin. You may also want to pin back any hair that may cover your face at eye height to minimize your allergen exposure.
Also Check: Does Your Throat Hurt With Allergies
Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis Or Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis
Pollen is the most common allergen to cause conjunctivitis in countries that have cold winters.
If conjunctivitis results from pollen, there will likely be other symptoms, including sneezing, an itchy, blocked, or runny nose, and itchy and watery eyes.
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is also known as hay fever.
It usually happens during the spring and summer months. At this time, plants, and especially grass, trees, and flowers, are in pollen. Some people have symptoms during early fall.
How Is Allergic Conjunctivitis Treated
Oftentimes with allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to simply avoid whatever triggers an allergic reactionfor instance, if you’re allergic to cats and you know your friend has a cat, suggest a meeting place outside their home so you don’t risk having an allergic reaction to their pet. The same goes for allergic conjunctivitis, Kanwaljit Brar, MD, an allergist at NYU Langone, tells;Health. “The best approach is to be preventative,” Dr. Brar explains.
Experts advise making an appointment with an allergist if you find that you frequently suffer from allergic conjunctivitisif your eyelids start swelling and your eyes start watering at seemingly random timesand you have no clue what your allergen is. “If you see an allergist, you can identify what you’re allergic to; we can predict when patients’ symptoms will ,” says Dr. Brar.
From there, an allergist can help you make simple lifestyle changes that eliminate allergic conjunctivitis and other allergy-related issues, says Dr. Hajee. So if your allergist tests you and determines that pollen is likely what’s triggering your symptoms, they can advise you to stay inside during certain times of the day when the pollen count in your region is highest, says Dr. Brar. By tweaking your routine by, say, going on your outdoor run at a different time when the pollen count is typically lower, your symptoms might lessen without the use of medication.
Don’t Miss: Do Allergies Disqualify You From Military Service
Eye Symptoms And Anaphylaxis
An allergic reaction to a food, insect sting or bite, or medication may cause eye symptoms with swelling, itching and redness of the conjunctiva and soft tissues around the eyes.Â;Individuals who are at risk of anaphylaxis should be referred to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
Eating of foods containing monosodium glutamate or the preservative sodium metabisulfite will occasionallycause swelling and redness of the eye. However this is not a true allergic reaction and therefore symptoms will be less severe.Â;
ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.
ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.
For more information go to www.allergy.org.au
To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au
A Longer List Of Symptoms For Eye Infections
Red, itchy watery eyes and a burning sensation are common symptoms of eye allergies and infections. However, the latter has a longer list of symptoms, which include pain, a gritty feeling in the eyes, sensitivity to light, a thick discharge and a mucus-like discharge . In general, if you experience pain in your eyes or theres anything other than tears thats being discharged for them, theres a strong chance your eyes might be infected. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your;eye doctor;as soon as possible.;
Viral eye infections usually clear up on their own, although cold compresses and lubricating eye drops can help you manage symptoms. However, for bacterial eye infections, youll need to get a prescription.
Read Also: Can Allergies Cause Asthma Attacks
What Are The Differences Between Eye Allergies And Pink Eye
The eyeball is covered by a thin membrane called the conjunctiva. When the conjunctiva becomes irritated or inflamed, conjunctivitis can occur.
Conjunctivitis is more commonly known as pink eye. It causes the eyes to become watery, itchy, and red or pink.
Although pink eye and eye allergies cause similar symptoms, theyre two distinct conditions.
Eye allergies are caused by an adverse immune reaction. Pink eye, however, is the result of eye allergies as well as other causes.
These include:
- smoke
- dust
Normally, the immune system promotes chemical changes in the body that help fight off harmful invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.
However, in people with allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies an allergen, which may be otherwise harmless, as a dangerous intruder and begins to fight against it.
Histamine is released when the eyes come into contact with an allergen. This substance causes many uncomfortable symptoms, such as itchy and watery eyes. It can also cause a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
An eye allergy may happen at any time of year. However, its especially common during the spring, summer, and fall months when trees, grasses, and plants are in bloom.
Such reactions can also occur when a sensitive person comes into contact with an allergen and rubs their eyes. Food allergies may also cause eye allergy symptoms.
