Allergy Ear Infection

An ear infection can occur from allergies, and this will act the same way as an ear illness from a virus or bacteria. Ear infections typically occur in the middle ear, when fluid becomes trapped in the small space behind the ear drum. This fluid buildup leads to pain and other symptoms.

Causes and Concerns

Otitis media (the medical term for an ear infection) is the inflammation and swelling of the middle ear. This occurs due to an ear infection in either one or both ears. An ear infection is often a diagnosis common in children, especially those with allergies. Otitis media can affect adults, too, and these disorders are the most common reason of hearing loss in both children and older people.
Otitis media is a serious condition, as hearing impairment can lead to more problems such as a speech deficit or and learning disorder. If you or your child has an ear infection, you should seek medical attention immediately. If you take care of this properly and promptly, it will not leave any lasting damage. This condition is also considered serious because the infection may spread to other areas of your body.
When an allergy ear infection occurs, there is typically the presence of pus in the ear. Otitis media can be acquired by having a cold, allergies, or even an upper respiratory infection. The pus becomes pressurized in the ear due to the buildup and will cause intense pain, swelling, and redness. In serious cases, the ear drum may rupture, and then pus will leak out from the ear.

Symptoms and Signs

The symptoms vary for both children and adults. Infants can experience hearing problems, tugging at the ears, pain in the ear, irritability, fever, and ear drainage. In adults, the symptoms are as follows:

Earache
Vomiting
Nausea
Ear Drainage
Fever
Dizziness
Loss of Balance
Feeling of Pressure or Fullness
Loss of Hearing
Difficulty Hearing

Solutions and Options

When you come in to see one of our competent allergy specialists, he or she will diagnose your condition through a physical examination and testing. The doctor will look inside the ear to see if there is a buildup of fluid or pus. The doctor will also see if the ear drums moves around or is stationary.
An audiogram may be performed, as well, to test for any hearing loss due to the infection. A tympanogram can be performed to measure the pressure of air in the ear and see if the tube is working properly. It will also test how well the eardrum will move.
If otitis media due to persistent allergies reoccurs, your doctor may decide to drain the pus or fluid. Sometimes, ototubes are necessary to accomplish this. Also, the doctor may request that one or both of your tonsils or adenoids be removed, as they can sometimes be the cause of reoccurring problems.

Summary

Otitis media is a serious infection in the ear, and it can occur in one ear or in both ears at the same time. It is important to seek medical attention if you think you have an infection due to allergies, as it can cause hearing loss and other significant problems. If the pus is left to buildup for too long, the ear drum could rupture. Call today for an appointment with one of our allergy specialists, and let the doctor help you find a solution to your symptoms.