Allergies of the Ear, Nose and Throat

Allergy is a condition, often inherited, in which the immune system of the affected person reacts to something eaten or in the environment that doesn’t affect most other people. People often think of allergy as only “hay fever”, with sneezing, runny nose, nasal stuffiness and itchy, watery eyes. However, allergies can also cause symptoms such as chronic “sinus” problems, postnasal drip, head congestion, frequent “colds”, recurring ear infections, hearing loss, dizziness, chronic cough and asthma. Even stomach and intestinal problems, many skin rashes chronic headaches and fatigue can be symptoms of allergy.

Your Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) allergist is a specialist who can disgnose and treat allergies affecting the ear, nose, and throat. The specialty of Ear, Nose, and Throat is also called Otolaryngology, and we sometimes refer to allergy problems in this area of the body as Otolaryngic Allergy.

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Allergy Testing and Treatment

In order to diagnose allergy your doctor will need to perform a complete history and examination of the head and neck as well as respiratory system. Testing will then need to be done to confirm and identify specific “allergens” that are causing your symptoms. This is done by skin testing, blood testing and/or patch testing.

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Allergy Treatment

Despite the advances in allergy care during the past several decades, there are still only three basic, accepted approaches to allergy care:

• Avoidance of the offending allergens (the things to which a person is allergic)
• Pharmacotherapy (medications)
• Immunotherapy (allergy shots or desensitization)

Over time it may be possible to actually alter a person’s excessive response to these environmental allergens, and both improve symptoms, as well as decrease the need for medications and allergen avoidance for many years.

Learn more about allergies from
The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy

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