Appalachian Audiology

Treating Allergies

Treating allergies is important to prevent ear infections and conductive hearing loss. The goal of treatment is to decrease or prevent excess fluid from building up in the ear. Ear infections, conductive hearing loss, fluctuating hearing, and pressure can be relieved by eliminating excess fluids. Avoidance The first step to treating allergic reactions is to avoid the allergens that induce them! To do this, you must identify what you are allergic to. This is done through skin testing or blood work. Antihistamines/Steroids/Expectorants/Decongestants Antihistamines Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine. This relieves or reduces many symptoms including nasal inflammation and excess fluid production. Popular antihistamines include Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec. Inhaled Steroids Inhaled steroids help treat allergies by reducing inflammation and mucus production, particularly in the nasal passages. It can take up to two weeks before the full benefits of inhaled steroids are realized. Expectorants Expectorants work by thinning respiratory secretions such as mucus and phlegm. They essentially help coughs become more productive in expelling excess fluids out of the respiratory tract. The most common expectorant is called "guaifenesin" and is found in most OTC allergy and cold medicines. Decongestants Decongestants work by reducing swelling in the nasal passages and lessening the amount of fluid that is produced. Immunotherapy When allergy symptoms cannot be successfully controlled by allergen avoidance and medications, it may be possible to alter a person's hyper-active immune response through immunotherapy. Immunotherapy involves gradually injecting allergens in increasing amounts over a period of time in hopes of helping the body adjust its immune response appropriately. A person's reactivity to specific allergens can potentially be altered by immunotherapy. Click here for more information on how to treat allergies.