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When Ear Infections Come Back: Is Allergy the Cause?

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the doctor. While there are different types of ear infections, the most common is called acute otitis media, which means an inflammation and infection of the middle ear. Ear infections are generally easy to manage. Caused by bacteria, they sometimes go away on their own or require treatment with antibiotics. But often, ear infections come back. This is when allergy often plays a role.

32%-50% of patients with ear infections have an underlying allergic cause of their symptoms.1,2

Allergies directly and indirectly affect the ears

The middle ear is affected by many forces. It’s important to know which of these forces are causing your, or more likely your child’s, ear infections. Below are two of the main causes of ear infections.

  1. Fluid from the nasal passages. Often caused by allergic rhinitis, this fluid can move through your eustachian tubes (the passage connecting your ears and upper airway) into your middle ear. This creates a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. In infants, a more horizontal eustachian tube limits fluid drainage.
  2. Allergies. 33%-50% of patients with recurrent otitis media have some form of allergy affecting either their nasal passages or their middle ear directly. As a result, the eustachian tubes of allergic patients are routinely inflamed, have regular fluid buildup, and they experience repeated ear infections. Left unchecked, otitis media can lead to hearing loss or the need for surgery.

Know more and you could prevent the next ear infection

Allergy testing will help your doctor determine if there’s an underlying cause of your child’s ear infections. With this tool, your doctor can identify the specific allergens that may be causing nasal symptoms and ear inflammation. You can then work to reduce exposure to these triggers, reducing cumulative allergen load. This will then reduce nasal symptoms, ear inflammation, and ultimately, otitis media. Talk to your pediatrician about allergy testing. One simple blood test can help identify underlying allergies—even in babies as young as 3 months old.

Learn more about allergy testing and ImmunoCAP.

Learn more about the symptom threshold and ways to reduce exposure to allergens.

References

  1. Chantzi FM, Kafetzis DA, Bairamis T, et al. IgE sensitization, respiratory allergy symptoms, and heritability independently increase the risk of otitis media with effusion. Allergy. 2006;61:332-336.
  2. Nathan RA. The burden of allergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2007;28:3-9.