There are times when specific allergies can result in ear pain. It can result in irritation or congestion in the sinuses and nose that connects with the ears. It can lead to the development of fluid or maximised pressure in your ears. When this happens, people generally treat ear infections and pain by focusing on allergies. This article will delve into the connection between allergies, ear infections, and ear pain and highlight the diagnosis and treatment options.
Can an allergy lead to ear pain?
Simply put, allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies can result in ear pain. The allergies can result in congestion in your ear canals and sinuses, resulting in discomfort and pain in your ear. The body releases chemicals like histamine because of allergies, which can irritate the throat, nose, and eyes. It causes the sinuses to swell and also results in the fluid build-up. It can impact your ear canals and result in pain. The allergies result in ear pain by:
- Developing a fluid build-up behind your eardrum
- Blocking the Eustachian tube and increasing the pressure
- Developing an ear infection
When should you consult a doctor?
If you are witnessing ear pain, you should consult a doctor. They can let you know if it’s an infection or an allergy causing your ear pain. If there are other causes, they can highlight that as well. If the doctors find out it’s an allergy that is the reason behind the ear pain, they can ask you to visit an allergist for a complete diagnosis. Also, if you have an ear infection that doesn’t get better after 72 hours, you need to consult a doctor. To know more about it, you can check out https://earandallergyclinic.com.
The diagnosis processes
Immunologists and allergists are the doctors who can treat allergies. The doctor should have the patient’s complete medical history and conduct allergy tests to know the allergy type. Generally, the allergists make use of the skin prick tests. Here they prick your skin with some allergen. When a person is allergic to the allergen, their skin will get itchy or swell up. And within 15 minutes, either the skin will have a minor reaction or remain the same. For some people, this test is not advisable because of existing medications or skin conditions. In such cases, the doctor requests specific blood tests.
The treatment options
If you witness ear pain because of an allergy, it’s essential to treat it to get pain relief. The initial step to treat this ear pain resulting from allergies is to determine the allergens behind the ear pain. Here the allergists can enable a patient to detect their triggers. When the patient is aware of the allergens, they can work their way out to avert them. For instance, an individual might be allergic to dust mites. In such a case, it’s essential to keep their living spaces and surroundings clean and properly ventilated to minimise the presence of the allergen. Furthermore, when someone has a pollen allergy, they shouldn’t spend spare time outside during high pollen count.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health and well-being.
