Antihistamines and Ear Infections

It's a common practice today to give antihistamines to children with ear infections. Do they work, or make things worse? Find out here.

Dr. Greene’s take on antihistamines for ear infections…

Almost one in five clinicians will give a child an antihistamine or an antihistamine-containing cold medicine to give added relief to children with ear infections. Even when they don’t, parents will often pick up an over-the-counter product on their own. Their use seems to be rising, as antibiotic use is falling.

The idea is that these should decrease congestion and unplug the Eustachian tubes, allowing the infected fluid in the ear to clear. And besides, they can make kids sleepy! Do they really help?

A beautifully designed study in the September 2003 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics concluded that antihistamine medications make the situation worse – lengthening the time that it takes the ear infection to go away.

I suggest giving most kids with ear infections eardrops to relieve the pain while their bodies fight the infections. This can help them sleep while they heal.

Published on: October 03, 2003

About the Author

Alan Greene MD

Photo of Alan Greene MD
Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.
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5 Comments
Add your comment
Alva Bendixen on April 3, 2019

You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be really one thing that I think I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely huge for me. I’m having a look forward to your subsequent post, I will try to get the hang of it!

Amanda on January 13, 2016

Can u please explain why antihistamine would not help an ear infection, or make it worse?

Suzette on November 27, 2015

Thank you this was very helpful.

Mimi on September 8, 2019

Cotton in the ear helps keep air out, pain down , why no
Tussin ? Im 66 and have bad allergys last few weeks !
thanks

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