The Impact of Allergies on Your Ear, Nose, and Throat Health

If you have an allergy, then your immune system will be reacting to a harmless substance. Allergy symptoms can make you live your life differently too. It may be that you are constantly having to avoid certain foods or that you can’t go outside for as long as you’d like during summer. If you go to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist then they should be able to help you manage your allergies.

Ears

If you have allergies, then your ears may be affected. Itching and mucus fluid can easily irritate your ears when having a reaction. This is because your body releases histamine. Usually, the itching happens on the outer wall of the ear, but with that in mind, it’s possible for the fluid to build up inside the ear as well. This mucus often clogs, which means it’s not able to drain effectively. When this happens, you may find that you struggle with a build-up of pressure. As a result, some individuals experience hearing loss.

Even if you do not experience hearing loss, you are still at risk of an ear infection if the fluid is not able to drain soon. If you have a stuffy nose or pressure in your sinuses then this can radiate to your ears, causing you to experience earache. If you have experienced something like this in the past then it is imperative that you go and see an ENT specialist as soon as possible. They will be able to provide the necessary treatment.

Nose

Most people who have allergies experience nasal symptoms. Your nose constantly creates small amounts of mucus, as this helps to filter allergens from the lungs. Sometimes, the excess moisture drains to your throat. This isn’t usually an issue, but it does become problematic when there is an overabundance of it. Build-up like this can cause you to sneeze, or to blow your nose more frequently.

You may experience nasal symptoms as the result of hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Symptoms of this can include a runny nose, sneezing and even congestion. You may also experience itching in your nose, your eyes or on the roof of your mouth. An ENT doctor will be able to help you to obtain the right treatment for your nasal allergies.

Throat

As mentioned above, sometimes mucus can drain from your nose, and this can also lead to issues within the throat. If this happens then you may feel the need to clear your throat regularly, or you may even go on to develop a sore throat. If you have more severe allergies, then your throat might close as a result of the allergen, talk to your ENT as soon as possible if you notice any drainage.

Some post-nasal drips can cause a sore throat too. This usually happens when you are exposed to an allergen. Congestion also runs from the sinuses, down into the throat, causing soreness and a tickling feeling. Seasonal allergies tend to make it difficult to swallow, and this swelling can make your throat narrow. Although this is not the same as a severe allergic reaction, you should take care and make sure that you are not over-exposing yourself to allergens where possible.

Dry eyes are often a warning sign that a reaction is happening. Eyes can become inflamed, red and even itchy if you have been exposed to an allergen. Eye allergies can cause reactions which make it difficult to see properly, which is why a lot of people who have allergies like this, tend to take antihistamine medications so that they can block the histamine that is causing their red and itchy eyes.

It is possible for allergies to affect your nose, ear and throat. If you want to help yourself to overcome your allergy symptoms or if you want to stop being limited by your allergies, then one thing you can do is visit an ENT doctor. When you do, they can then advise you on the steps you can take to benefit yourself. By taking action now, you can stop your allergies in their tracks, while also benefitting your health overall, so don’t delay in seeking treatment.

If you are not currently registered with an ear, nose and throat doctor then make sure that you get in touch with Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates. You can call these numbers if you want to speak to one of our associates. Call us today at Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599, Murphy: 828-835-1014 and New Asheville: 828-458-8100.