Food allergies affect about 6 to 8 percent of children and about 4 percent of adults in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. Food allergies are the result of a malfunction of the immune system that causes irritation and inflammation throughout the body in soft tissue. The effects of a food allergy can cause excessive swelling and pressure throughout the head, resulting in your ears ringing. If you experience unwanted side effects after eating certain foods, talk with your doctor.
About
A food allergy occurs when your immune system mistakes certain proteins in foods as a harmful substance. For example, if you have a wheat allergy, your immune system may identify gluten as a dangerous substance and begin to defend the body. Antibodies are produced by the immune system to fight off the allergen, resulting in the production of histamine, according to MayoClinic.com. Histamine is a chemical in the body that helps protect it from infection. When mast cells produce too much histamine, it causes inflammation in the surrounding areas.
Cause
The cause of your ears ringing after you eat a food you're allergic to is because of inflammation in the sinuses and inner ear. The ears, nose and throat are all connected. If one of those parts of the body becomes swollen, it can directly affect the other parts. During a food allergy, histamine released in the sinus cavity causes severe nasal congestion and swelling. The excessive amount of pressure throughout the head leads to sinus pressure pain, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
Effect
The effect of sinus pressure, nasal congestion and inflammation in the head from a food allergy is pressure placed on the eardrum that produces ringing in the ears. You may also experience ear pain and facial tenderness. If you develop fluid in the ears, bloody discharge or a fever, see a doctor, as this may be a sign of an ear infection.
Other Symptoms
Other common symptoms of a food allergy may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, skin rashes, a runny nose and eye irritation as well as swelling in the lips, tongue and face, according to MedlinePlus.
Warning
If you experience ringing in your ears after eating a food you're allergic to, you may experience anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis are swelling in the throat, dizziness, shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure and a rapid but faint pulse. Call 911 as soon as these symptoms appear.
