We are in the middle of spring and it is allergy season. The most common is, without a doubt, the allergic rhinitis either seasonal allergy, which ends up becoming chronic in many cases. To the symptoms of this allergy (itchy nosemouth, eyes or throat, rhinorrhea, sneezing and crying eyes) is often joined by the sensation of blockage in the ears. The culprit is ototubaritis. In the next post we give you more details of the relationship between allergy, blocked ears and itchy ears.
To put the impact of seasonal rhinitis in context, World Allergy Organization (WAO) points out that more than 50% of those affected by this allergy will live with it for about ten years; 22% will have to endure it all their lives and another 28% will have to live with it for between 10 and 20 years. In many of these cases, episodes of continuous sneezing, watery eyes or a stinging nose are accompanied by ear plugging. The reason is that the mucus produced by allergic rhinitis accumulates in the Eustachian tube and appears ototubaritis and the aforementioned sensation of clogged ears.
How to treat blocked ears
Ototubaritis caused by allergic rhinitis usually resolves after the fifth or sixth day of treatment. It rarely exceeds two weeks. In almost all cases, ear plugging is usually resolved with specific treatment. anti-inflammatories either antibiotics. The problem appears if ototubaritis is not treated. In these cases, this pathology can cause serious damage to the middle ear and the eardrumcausing, for example, secretory otitis media, middle ear atelectasis (retraction of the eardrum) and chronic otitis media.
Allergy and ear pain
To the aforementioned sensation of ear plugging caused by ototubaritis you can also add the earachein the event that inflammation of the Eustachian tube due to seasonal rhinitis. In these cases, if the pain persists after a few days, it is advisable to see a doctor.
Allergy and tinnitus
Aside from ear pain and the sensation of muffled hearing, ototubaritis can also cause ringing in the ears (tinnitus), as well as episodes, in principle specific, of Hearing loss.