Ear infectionsare common, especially among young children.Some people have a tendency to develop frequent ear infections, which may be referred to as recurrent ear infections or chronic ear infections. There are severalcauses of middle ear infections, and allergies can predispose some people to ear infections.
Oliver Rossi / Getty Images
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.
Normally, thistube opensand closes in order to regulate the environment in the middle ear space. Conditions that may cause the Eustachian tube to become impaired include (but are not limited to) congestion and inflammation.
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. It may also be more difficult for fluid and other debris to properly drain from the Eustachian tube in small children because of the horizontal angle.
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.
But ear infections may also occur when allergies cause congestion and inflammation in the nasal passageways, sinuses, and Eustachian tubes. This can occur regardless of the type of allergies an individual has, including food allergies.
Ear Infection Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Treating Allergies
If you have allergies, there are several types of treatment your healthcare provider may recommend. Avoiding your allergy triggers is the first line of defense, especially if it is a food allergy. This may be easier said than done, however, if you are allergic to something like pollen or dust, and your healthcare provider may recommend medications to treat your symptoms.
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 prescribed—these include Zyrtec, Claritin, orAllegra. Sometimes nasal sprays such asFlonaseorNasacortare prescribed to reduce congestion.
Allergy medications are used for treating allergies, but there is no evidence to support the use of antihistamines or nasal steroids as a treatment or prevention for middle ear infections or effusions. Treating allergies is important for comfort during allergy season, but allergy treatments will not improve ear infections.
Treatment of Ear Infections
In general, uncomplicated ear infections with fever less than 102 degrees Fahrenheit will resolve on their own. Pain can be relieved with over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you or your child are having frequent ear infections, your healthcare provider may recommend the surgical placement of ventilation tubes to help your Eustachian tube stay open.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Minovi A, Dazert S.Diseases of the middle ear in childhood.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc11. Published 2014 Dec 1. doi:10.3205/cto000114Schilder AG, Bhutta MF, Butler CC, et al.Eustachian tube dysfunction: consensus statement on definition, types, clinical presentation and diagnosis.Clin Otolaryngol. 2015;40(5):407–411. doi:10.1111/coa.12475Zernotti ME, Pawankar R, Ansotegui I, et al.Otitis media with effusion and atopy: is there a causal relationship?.World Allergy Organ J. 2017;10(1):37. Published 2017 Nov 14. doi:10.1186/s40413-017-0168-xAdditional ReadingCenter for Food Allergies.Ear Infections (and Dairy Allergies).Science News.Allergy Linked to Common Ear Infection Susceptibility.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Minovi A, Dazert S.Diseases of the middle ear in childhood.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc11. Published 2014 Dec 1. doi:10.3205/cto000114Schilder AG, Bhutta MF, Butler CC, et al.Eustachian tube dysfunction: consensus statement on definition, types, clinical presentation and diagnosis.Clin Otolaryngol. 2015;40(5):407–411. doi:10.1111/coa.12475Zernotti ME, Pawankar R, Ansotegui I, et al.Otitis media with effusion and atopy: is there a causal relationship?.World Allergy Organ J. 2017;10(1):37. Published 2017 Nov 14. doi:10.1186/s40413-017-0168-xAdditional ReadingCenter for Food Allergies.Ear Infections (and Dairy Allergies).Science News.Allergy Linked to Common Ear Infection Susceptibility.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Minovi A, Dazert S.Diseases of the middle ear in childhood.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc11. Published 2014 Dec 1. doi:10.3205/cto000114Schilder AG, Bhutta MF, Butler CC, et al.Eustachian tube dysfunction: consensus statement on definition, types, clinical presentation and diagnosis.Clin Otolaryngol. 2015;40(5):407–411. doi:10.1111/coa.12475Zernotti ME, Pawankar R, Ansotegui I, et al.Otitis media with effusion and atopy: is there a causal relationship?.World Allergy Organ J. 2017;10(1):37. Published 2017 Nov 14. doi:10.1186/s40413-017-0168-x
Minovi A, Dazert S.Diseases of the middle ear in childhood.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc11. Published 2014 Dec 1. doi:10.3205/cto000114
Schilder AG, Bhutta MF, Butler CC, et al.Eustachian tube dysfunction: consensus statement on definition, types, clinical presentation and diagnosis.Clin Otolaryngol. 2015;40(5):407–411. doi:10.1111/coa.12475
Zernotti ME, Pawankar R, Ansotegui I, et al.Otitis media with effusion and atopy: is there a causal relationship?.World Allergy Organ J. 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.
Center for Food Allergies.Ear Infections (and Dairy Allergies).
Science News.Allergy Linked to Common Ear Infection Susceptibility.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
