Allergic rhinitis, also known ashay fever, can result in eustachian tube dysfunction due to swelling in the nasal mucosa, which lines the inside of your nose. Since theeustachian tubeconnects the nose to the middle ear, fluid can build up in themiddle earand cause an infection if the tube does not function properly.
Ear painis one of the symptoms of a middle ear infection, also called otitis media. Other possible symptoms include ear fullness, pressure, popping, and decreased hearing.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Ear Pain Causes
There are many different causes of ear pain, including:
Other conditions can also lead to ear pain in rarer cases, including:
Why Are Ear Infections More Common in Children?The eustachian tube spends most of its time closed and typically only opens if it needs to during activities such as swallowing, yawning, or chewing. As a person ages, the eustachian tubes can change. Adults typically have a vertical tube that is wide and rigid, making it easier for any fluids to pass through and drain out of the ear. In children, that draining process is more difficult because their tubes are more horizontal, more narrow, shorter, and less stiff. This is why children are more prone to ear infections.
Why Are Ear Infections More Common in Children?
The eustachian tube spends most of its time closed and typically only opens if it needs to during activities such as swallowing, yawning, or chewing. As a person ages, the eustachian tubes can change. Adults typically have a vertical tube that is wide and rigid, making it easier for any fluids to pass through and drain out of the ear. In children, that draining process is more difficult because their tubes are more horizontal, more narrow, shorter, and less stiff. This is why children are more prone to ear infections.
How to Relieve Ear Pressure
How Allergies Cause Ear Pain
When a person is near something they are allergic to, the allergen binds to their allergic antibodies that are bound to mast cells or basophils. This process results in the release of histamines. Histamines are compounds that play a role in the body’s immune response. They trigger an inflammatory response.
Nasal allergies, specifically, are to blame when it comes to ear pain. This is because the inflammation that occurs in the mucous membranes that line the nasal and ear cavities can cause a blockage in the ear. When fluid cannot drain away because of that blockage, it builds up and causes pressure and pain.
Can Allergies Cause Tinnitus?
Symptoms
Ear pain related to allergies can come with many different symptoms. These include pressure within the ear and ear infections. In rare cases, allergies that affect the ear can lead to swelling of the ear canals, leading to fluid buildup that can at least temporarily decrease hearing.
Pressure
Allergies can also lead to ear congestion. This congestion leads to a backup of mucus in the eustachian tube or middle ear. When that congestion results in a blockage in the ear, the pain develops.
Barotrauma of the Ear Overview
Infection
Ear infections are the most common cause of ear pain. They can occur in the outer, middle, and inner ear. Ear infections are common in children, although they can affect people of all ages.
If you experience ear pain with allergies but notice that more symptoms have developed, it’s possible that you have an ear infection.
The Link Between Allergies and Ear Infections
Hearing Impairment
Allergies may also cause decreased hearing.When the allergies begin to improve, your hearing does as well.
This occurs because there is a blockage in the ear. It could be located in the middle ear or ear canal. When the blockage becomes large enough, it blocks out sounds.
Other symptoms that could be present with allergy-driven decreased hearing include a full sensation in the ear, ear drainage, and ear pain.
Hearing Loss Causes in Adults: What to Know
Treatment
If you know what your allergy is, treatment is much easier. If you don’t, you must first figure out what is causing the allergic reaction. There are several different ways to treat allergies, which will then relieve the ear pain.
Decongestants
Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays
Treating Ear Infections
Ear infections have many causes, but when allergies are behind the condition, it is because of the blockage they cause in the eustachian tube. The blockage traps bacteria and germs that can multiply and cause an infection.
Allergies that cause inflammation and congestion in the ears impair the function of the eustachian tube.Typically, ear infections that are mild in nature require no treatment at all. In some cases, though, you may need medications or surgery, especially if the ear infections recur.
If your allergies progress to ear infections often, it may be a good idea to discuss allergy medications that can help prevent an ear infection with your healthcare provider. Note, however, that allergy medications will not treat an ear infection that has already developed.
12 Home Remedies for Ear Infections
Home Remedies
Ear pain can be an uncomfortable thing to deal with, especially if you have moderate or severe allergies. Some remedies that you can try at home may help keep your ear pain at bay during allergy season.
Summary
Allergies can create blockages in the ear that result in pressure and pain. They may even lead to ear infections. The best way to treat the ear pain from your allergies is to treat your allergies with medications.
8 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.
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Keleş E, Sapmaz E, Gödekmerdan A.The role of allergy in the etiopathogenesis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.2013;270(6):1795-1801. doi:10.1007/s00405-012-2189-y
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