Control of Allergic Rhinitis with Antihistamines May Prevent the Onset or Recurrence of Otitis Media

Abstract

Middle ear infections are among the most frequent illnesses affecting young children. Two-thirds of all children will have had at least one episode by the time they are 2 years old. Allergy seems to have a role in the acquisition of middle ear disease. In some children, allergic inflammation may be a factor in the development of allergic rhinitis and otitis media (OM). In addition to the costs involved in diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, and time lost from work for the parent or caregiver, secondary hearing loss may be considerable. Proof of the causal nature of the relation between histamine-mediated allergies and OM will depend on the results of clinical trials to evaluate the ability of antihistamines to prevent or treat OM in atopic children.