Flying with blocked ears
Sep 21, 2015, 5:19 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,731
Go see a doctor.
That said, I frequently end up with a lot of congestion in the form of post nasal drip, coughing, sinus and ear pressure after being sick (and sometimes for no reason at all it seems).
My ritual:
1. Afrin nasal spray 2x per day for 3 days on, 3 days off for 2 weeks.
2. Mucinex DM 2x day for 2 weeks.
3. Usually paired with antibiotics 2x per day for 2 weeks as prescribed by my ENT.
Steamy hot showers with a warm wash cloth over my face doesn't hurt either.
If, after 2 weeks I still feel congested (usually not), rinse and repeat for 2 more weeks.
Good luck.
You'll be amazed how much better you feel once things start draining.
That said, I frequently end up with a lot of congestion in the form of post nasal drip, coughing, sinus and ear pressure after being sick (and sometimes for no reason at all it seems).
My ritual:
1. Afrin nasal spray 2x per day for 3 days on, 3 days off for 2 weeks.
2. Mucinex DM 2x day for 2 weeks.
3. Usually paired with antibiotics 2x per day for 2 weeks as prescribed by my ENT.
Steamy hot showers with a warm wash cloth over my face doesn't hurt either.
If, after 2 weeks I still feel congested (usually not), rinse and repeat for 2 more weeks.
Good luck.
You'll be amazed how much better you feel once things start draining.
Sep 22, 2015, 2:06 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
After being sick you don't need antibiotics. Your ENT should have their head examined. Also, Musinex DM includes something to control couch which you're not having so it's overkill for you.
Netti pots don't work on ears now do they? Really bad advice.
If you travel a lot, throwing a decongestant in your bag isn't a bad idea. Better to have and not need.
It's a fine line in using something to clear up congestion. They can overdry your mucous membranes so you need to typically use less than the desired dose. It's idea if you play around with them before the flight. Essentially you want as little as possible to ease the congesion.
Netti pots don't work on ears now do they? Really bad advice.
If you travel a lot, throwing a decongestant in your bag isn't a bad idea. Better to have and not need.
It's a fine line in using something to clear up congestion. They can overdry your mucous membranes so you need to typically use less than the desired dose. It's idea if you play around with them before the flight. Essentially you want as little as possible to ease the congesion.
Sep 23, 2015, 10:47 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,731
After being sick you don't need antibiotics. Your ENT should have their head examined. Also, Musinex DM includes something to control couch which you're not having so it's overkill for you.
Netti pots don't work on ears now do they? Really bad advice.
If you travel a lot, throwing a decongestant in your bag isn't a bad idea. Better to have and not need.
It's a fine line in using something to clear up congestion. They can overdry your mucous membranes so you need to typically use less than the desired dose. It's idea if you play around with them before the flight. Essentially you want as little as possible to ease the congesion.
Netti pots don't work on ears now do they? Really bad advice.
If you travel a lot, throwing a decongestant in your bag isn't a bad idea. Better to have and not need.
It's a fine line in using something to clear up congestion. They can overdry your mucous membranes so you need to typically use less than the desired dose. It's idea if you play around with them before the flight. Essentially you want as little as possible to ease the congesion.
The reason why I'm on so Mucinex is because of a constant, dry, unproductive cough caused by a thick mucous that's not going anywhere.
But thanks for the medical advice.
Next time I have a bacterial sinus infection that ends up in me developing post nasal drip I'll tell my ENT to go have his head examined for prescribing antibiotics.
Last edited by CBear; Sep 23, 2015 at 10:57 am
Sep 23, 2015, 11:18 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 231
Hi all,
I am due to fly in 11 days time. I currently have blocked ears, like when I swallow or open my mouth they crackle/crunch not sure how else to explain. I'm worried about flying as I have quite bad tinnitus already. Am I safe to fly? As I've heard people say never fly with blocked ears, but I've bought ear planes and I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do to help?
Are burst ear drums very common on flights?
Thanks.
I am due to fly in 11 days time. I currently have blocked ears, like when I swallow or open my mouth they crackle/crunch not sure how else to explain. I'm worried about flying as I have quite bad tinnitus already. Am I safe to fly? As I've heard people say never fly with blocked ears, but I've bought ear planes and I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do to help?
Are burst ear drums very common on flights?
Thanks.
Not worth the risk.
Mar 17, 2024, 2:09 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 35
Finding a good audiologist would be the first step. If you ever had an ear wax issues, visiting ear wax extraction doctor might be also a very good idea. Flying with the blocked ears is not just unpleasant, in one point of the journey or even straight after journey it can be very painful and i know that from my own experience.
Last edited by jennywhite; Mar 29, 2024 at 2:51 pm