Antihistamines, decongestants, and home remedies like applying ice may help relieve the pain in your ears caused by allergies. You may need to take a prescription if you have an infection in your ear.
Even though many people associate ear problems with childhood, adults can also experience ear discomfort. There are many causes of ear pain, from excess earwax and sinus congestion to infection. Yes, allergens can cause ear pain.
Allergic reactions
Some people have hypersensitivity to foreign substances such as animal dander or pollen. This hypersensitivity causes an allergic reaction to occur in the body, involving cells of the immune system that release histamine. Histamine can cause swelling, itching, and increased mucus.
Allergy and ear pain
The lining of the Eustachian tube may become inflamed when an allergen, such as pollen, is present.
This inflammation can lead to an imbalance of pressure in the ear and fluid buildup. This can cause a sensation of an earache or a blocked feeling.
Ear infection due to allergies
You may be at greater risk for ear infections if you suffer from a seasonal allergic reaction. It's more likely that allergies will lead to inflammation and congestion when pollen counts are higher. This can lead to a variety of situations, including:
Pressure
Histamines released from the body can cause inflammation in the mucous membranes that line the nasal cavity and the ears. This inflammation can lead to a blockage of the ear canals, preventing fluids or mucus from draining. The pressure inside the ear is then increased, and this can cause ear pain.
Infection
The middle ear is full of fluid. This fluid can become infected and build up, causing swelling and pain in the eardrum. In the medical world, this ear infection goes by the name of otitis media.
Other symptoms include ringing of the ears and dizziness. This can even lead to a loss of balance. In severe cases, the hearing drum might rupture, and pus may leak out of the ear.
Hearing loss
An allergic reaction that causes inflammation in your eustachian tube can also cause short-term hearing loss. This conductive loss of hearing will usually resolve itself when the allergies subside.
Does allergy medication relieve ear pain?
Prescription and OTC allergy-relieving medication can treat a wide range of allergy symptoms. This includes allergic reactions that affect your ears. OTC antihistamines are available in the following brands:
● cetirizine (Zyrtec)
● chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
● diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
● fexofenadine
● levocetirizine (Xyzal)
● loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about antihistamines that include a decongestant, such as:
● cetirizine plus pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D)
● fexofenadine plus pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D)
● loratadine plus pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D)
Your doctor may prescribe or recommend a nasal spray containing corticosteroids to treat stuffiness, runny eyes, and sneezing.
● budesonide (Rhinocort).
● Fluticasone Furoate (Veramyst)
● fluticasone propionate (Flonase)
● Mometasone, also known as Nasonex (Nasonex), is a drug that can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
● triamcinolone (Nasacort)
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have an ear infection.
Home remedies for allergies and ear pain
You can manage your ear discomfort at home.
● Resting in an upright position will reduce the pressure on your middle ear.
● To relieve pain, place a cold compress over your outer ear.
● Chewing gum can help relieve pressure and pain.
● Consider OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen.
If the pressure or pain in your ear does not go away or becomes more painful, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
Takeaway
Allergies can cause ear problems, either by causing ear pain directly or by creating an environment conducive to infection and discomfort.
If the pain persists or worsens after you take steps to relieve it, consult your doctor. You may need antibiotics if you have an infection in your ear.
Credit: The Web Health & Drugs Discussion
