An allergy to the house dust mite may cause year-round rhinitis (hay fever). This condition, which causes an excess of mucus from inflammation, may lead to symptoms of 'glue ear' and some loss of hearing. Glue ear may be caused by an excess of mucus from the nose, caused by chronic rhinitis, that dries and 'gums up' important hearing components in the middle ear. This condition, especailly common in children, may adversely affect hearing. Symptoms of glue ear include itchiness or 'popping' of the ears and in very young children noticeable scratching, or pulling at, their ears. If house dust mite allergy is found to be a cause of rhinitis, it is important to reduce exposure to the mite leading to relief of the sympotoms associated with rhinitis, which may be 'glue ear'. |
