Originally Posted by SylviaCaras
Are there precautions, things to do aloft, things I might take with me, ... ? Earaches are a new experience for me and I've mostly been lucky to not often fly when I have a cold.
Travelling with a cold---a necessary evil but you can prepare yourself for that flight. First off, take a 12 hour nasal decongestant/antihistamine medication an hour or two before departure. Don't take the stuff which is good for 4-6 hours. What works best for me is
Drixoral Cold & Flu. Drixoral makes a Cold & Allergy pill too but it's not as effective as the Cold & Flu. Trust me on this.
Next, bring with you a pack of gum to chew as the plane begins its initial descent. The gum forces you to swallow your saliva and the movement of your jaw helps your ears.
Lastly, bring cotton balls for your ears. They help enormously. I hope these ideas help. Good luck.