Glue Ear and Allergies

Filed in archive Allergy Basics , Allergy: Diagnostics and Treatment , Hay Fever on August 17, 2007

In one of the online forums I frequent, a mom said that here toddler has taken the habit of clapping her hands on the sides of the head, sometimes, over the ears for no apparent reason. Upon consultation, the pediatrician said that the child has "glue ear", wherein there is a collection of fluid that occurs within the middle ear space. It usually results from ear infection, but result from a cold, or as a consequence of allergies (dust/pollen). Although most cases ease up on their own and occur less and less as the child gets older, it may lead to hearing loss if it does not clear up and is left untreated.

If you think your child may have glue ear (symptoms: poor hearing, actions to relieve the feeling of "fullness" in the ear, as in the above account), consult your GP, who may refer you to an ENT specialist, so that a more thorough testing and diagnosis can be performed and appropriate treatment can be administered in time. Have a look at RNID's comprehensive fact sheet on Glue Ear.