Antihistamines may prolong infection.

• Position: Ears - Brief Article

Parents should think twice before administering antihistamines to relieve their child's ear infection symptoms, report researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, as this common remedy not only increases recovery time, but could lead to additional complications.

The standard treatment for ear infections is antibiotics. However, Tasnee Chonmaitree, professor of pediatrics and pathology, recommends that some doctors not prescribe antibiotics for ear infections to avoid building resistance. Since many children with acute ear infections have cold symptoms caused by a virus, these same physicians recommend an antihistamine and/or a decongestant to relieve symptoms. Bacteria and viruses may increase the degree of inflammation in the ear by producing more histamine and other inflammatory substances.

The study included 179 children with acute ear infections who were treated with antibiotics. The youngsters were divided into four different groups to receive antihistamines, corticosteroids...