There are severalcauses of middle ear infections, and allergies can predispose some people to ear infections.
TheEustachian tubeis a small tube that leads from the middle ear into the back of the throat.
When it becomes blocked, mucus, fluid, bacteria, and other germs may become trapped and multiply.
Oliver Rossi / Getty Images
Normally, thistube opensand closes to regulate the environment in the middle ear space.
In children, the Eustachian tube is naturally smaller and positioned more horizontally than in adults.
The Eustachian tube is more likely to become blocked in small children because of its smaller diameter.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
How Allergies Can Cause Ear Infections
Middle ear infections are often viral.
They usually start when someone has a viral infection that may initially cause a cold.
This can occur regardless of the punch in of allergies an individual has, including food allergies.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Avoiding your allergy triggers is the first line of defense, especially if it is a food allergy.
One of the most common allergy treatments is the administration of a daily antihistamine.
Newer antihistamines that are not likely to cause drowsiness are often prescribedthese include Zyrtec, Claritin, orAllegra.
Sometimes nasal sprays such asFlonaseorNasacortare prescribed to reduce congestion.
Treating allergies is important for comfort during allergy season, but allergy treatments will not improve ear infections.
Pain can be relieved with over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Minovi A, Dazert S.Diseases of the middle ear in childhood.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.
2014;13:Doc11.
2017;10(1):37.
Published 2017 Nov 14. doi:10.1186/s40413-017-0168-x
Center for Food Allergies.Ear Infections (and Dairy Allergies).
Science News.Allergy Linked to Common Ear Infection Susceptibility.
