Ear pain in a 16 month old
Dec 7, 2012, 9:24 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, HH Gold, SPG Gold, National EC Executive, AA Platinum
Posts: 606
My 15 year old daughter also has ear pain on take off or landings. She had numerous infections when she was little and had ear tubes. We tried ear plugs/planes and they did not work for her. Our pharmacist recommended Neosynephrine, cold and sinus extra strength, non drowsy. It has helped a lot and is easy to take, just spray a few times in each nostril. (Of course, with a 14 month old, please check with your physician first).
Here is a really interesting article on ear pain while flying with lots of suggestions.
http://community.sw.org/2011/02/tips...-while-flying/
Here is a really interesting article on ear pain while flying with lots of suggestions.
http://community.sw.org/2011/02/tips...-while-flying/
Dec 11, 2012, 11:19 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Programs: DL DM/2MM
Posts: 1,036
In some countries it's illegal to fly a child with an ear infection. A Canadian doctor told me this, but I think he was talking about the U.K. We almost delayed our trip back from Canada to the U.S. but my daughter's infection cleared up just before we were to head back. She's had ear tubes 4 times and is utterly unable to clear her ears, regardless of the many suggestions of a dozen or more FAs.
Jan 7, 2013, 7:24 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cambridge, England
Programs: BA, VS, Le Club Accor Gold
Posts: 1,208
I just returned from a trip to Switzerland flying Swiss (ZRH-LHR) and they were the most helpful of any airline i've flown, the trip out wasn't that bad i was recommended Otrivin at the airport and that worked then, but the way back was a nightmare i think also because i'd already suffered with earpain on the train to Zurich and the crew did their best to help aleviate the pain 
As Otrivin had already failed to aleviate pain they provided cardboard cups with hot paper towels stuffed in and that brought the pain to a dull managable ache and then i took sudafed as soon as i was able to access my bag after landing which took the pain away but blocked my ear, not great but definitely preferable! Carefully using the Valsava Manuever about an hour later unblocked my ear but boy did it hurt when it popped! Fortunately for the hotel in Andermatt and then my bf on the return i was able to pass on the screaming this time 
As Otrivin had already failed to aleviate pain they provided cardboard cups with hot paper towels stuffed in and that brought the pain to a dull managable ache and then i took sudafed as soon as i was able to access my bag after landing which took the pain away but blocked my ear, not great but definitely preferable! Carefully using the Valsava Manuever about an hour later unblocked my ear but boy did it hurt when it popped! Fortunately for the hotel in Andermatt and then my bf on the return i was able to pass on the screaming this time
Aug 31, 2017, 2:15 pm
#20
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
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First, I must correct a couple of misconceptions posted here, as a former pilot and very frequent flyer for seven decades, and training as a diving medic first aid provider (we deal with much more radical pressure changes than people in well functioning aircraft.)
Virtually all medications are generally not altered in any way at normal and maximum commercial aircraft cabin altitude.
The maximum allowable cabin pressure in aircraft is 8,000 ft MSL / 2,438.4 meters. (At 10,000 MSL crew and passengers would have to be provided supplemental oxygen.) Some newer aircraft (Boeing 787, Airbus A350) have lower cabin altitudes, and as a bonus have moister air.
Ear pain, more noticeable on descent for most, is due because abnormally rapid "changes in air pressure cause the air in the chamber inside the middle ear to expand during takeoff and contract during descent, stretching the eardrum. To equalize pressure, air must enter or escape through the Eustachian tube - the very thin opening that connects the middle ear and nose." (As the balance or equilibrium organ is in that vicinity, people experiencing severe ear disturbance or barotrauma may also experience dizziness and loss of balance.)
There's a thread more oriented to adults in the Travel Health and Fitness forum: The Traveling Ear Health / Eustachian / Sinus / Pressure / Etc. Thread. It includes several "maneuvers" adults and older children can use to reduce pain caused by air pressure changes.
Mayo Clinic offers a page on ear pain here, which includes ear pain air pressure change (aerotitis, or in more severe cases barotrauma). It states, in part:
What does help ear equalization is being well hydrated (it makes the difference in thick vs thin mucous in the very dry cabin environment), and having the child swallow intermittently to crate the effect of a maneuver to open the Eustachian tubes for pressure equalization. (That's why pacifiers and sipping periodically from a bottle help.)
Some medications can probably help, such as an antihistamine or inhaled decongestant drops. Always check with your child's health care provider prior to using even an over the counter pediatric strength medication on an infant or child, and in cases that are severe or persistent a pediatric otorhinolaryngology specialist may be a good resource.
Severe ear pain is probably a good clue for a health care professional to assess the tympanum or ear drum is intact. And caregivers of children with ear infections should definitely consult their pediatric health care professional.
Disclaimer: I am sharing commonly known and accepted information, and am not dispensing medical advice. Forbthat, consult your licensed health professional.
Virtually all medications are generally not altered in any way at normal and maximum commercial aircraft cabin altitude.
The maximum allowable cabin pressure in aircraft is 8,000 ft MSL / 2,438.4 meters. (At 10,000 MSL crew and passengers would have to be provided supplemental oxygen.) Some newer aircraft (Boeing 787, Airbus A350) have lower cabin altitudes, and as a bonus have moister air.
Ear pain, more noticeable on descent for most, is due because abnormally rapid "changes in air pressure cause the air in the chamber inside the middle ear to expand during takeoff and contract during descent, stretching the eardrum. To equalize pressure, air must enter or escape through the Eustachian tube - the very thin opening that connects the middle ear and nose." (As the balance or equilibrium organ is in that vicinity, people experiencing severe ear disturbance or barotrauma may also experience dizziness and loss of balance.)
There's a thread more oriented to adults in the Travel Health and Fitness forum: The Traveling Ear Health / Eustachian / Sinus / Pressure / Etc. Thread. It includes several "maneuvers" adults and older children can use to reduce pain caused by air pressure changes.
Mayo Clinic offers a page on ear pain here, which includes ear pain air pressure change (aerotitis, or in more severe cases barotrauma). It states, in part:
Airplane ear is the stress exerted on your eardrum and other middle ear tissues when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance. You may experience airplane ear at the beginning of a flight when the airplane is climbing or at the end of a flight when the airplane is descending. These fast changes in altitude cause air pressure changes and can trigger airplane ear.
Airplane ear is also called ear barotrauma, barotitis media or aerotitis media.
Usually self-care steps — such as yawning, swallowing or chewing gum — can prevent or correct the differences in air pressure and improve airplane ear symptoms. However, a severe case of airplane ear may need to be treated by a doctor.
Airplane ear is also called ear barotrauma, barotitis media or aerotitis media.
Usually self-care steps — such as yawning, swallowing or chewing gum — can prevent or correct the differences in air pressure and improve airplane ear symptoms. However, a severe case of airplane ear may need to be treated by a doctor.
Some medications can probably help, such as an antihistamine or inhaled decongestant drops. Always check with your child's health care provider prior to using even an over the counter pediatric strength medication on an infant or child, and in cases that are severe or persistent a pediatric otorhinolaryngology specialist may be a good resource.
Severe ear pain is probably a good clue for a health care professional to assess the tympanum or ear drum is intact. And caregivers of children with ear infections should definitely consult their pediatric health care professional.
Disclaimer: I am sharing commonly known and accepted information, and am not dispensing medical advice. Forbthat, consult your licensed health professional.
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 31, 2017 at 2:40 pm