Ear Allergies: How to relieve your itchy ears

23 November 2019
As Spring approaches, the change of season is welcomed by most - but for many, Spring also means a flare-up of allergies. Sinus irritation from dust, pollen, and allergies is common, although many people will never have sinus problems.

At the Ear Hygiene Clinic, we see many clients with "blocked" or itchy ears when, after discussion, it's likely to be allergy/sinus related. 

Ear Hygiene Clinic 108 v3 scalessquare

What Are Sinuses? 

The sinuses are air-filled spaces with the bones of the skull and face.

They are centred around the nasal cavity and have several functions, including:

  • humidifying and heating inhaled air
  • increasing the resonance of speech
  • giving lightness to the weight of our heads 

We have 4 sets of sinuses:

  1. Maxillary
  2. Frontal
  3. Sphenoid
  4. Ethmoid 

In order to assist your body in keeping these four areas clear of mucus, we recommend that you take an antihistamine in the morning and use a nasal spray for relief if you are prone to allergies/sinus issues in Spring.

Sinus Treatments

The following sinus treatments can help ease the symptoms of allergies:

  • Antihistamines are available over the counter at your chemist. We recommend Telfast - an antihistamine that is non-drowsy, able to be taken daily, and can be stopped at any time. Use per instructions.
  • Otrivin Nasal Spray is a fast-acting, effective nasal spray to assist in drying out your sinuses, allowing the eardrum to "pop". This can be purchased at a chemist or from our clinic in Ferrymead but is designed to be used for just five days at a time before requiring a break. Flixonase and alanase are also recommended by our nurses, and these are suitable for everyday use. Use per instructions.  
  • Sinus rinse is a natural home remedy recommended by Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists as the first step to healthy sinus maintenance.
    Find Sinus Rinse Instructions here.
     

Should you not feel any improvement from these treatments, the Ear Hygiene Clinic nurses are ready to help!

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