Children and ear problems on flights

[millerjmls]

My four year old son has had ear infections, tubes... the whole 9 yards in the past (around age 1 and 1/2 to 2 and 1/2). This will be his first flight and I am concerned about ear problems. I have purchased "earplanes" but have also heard that a decongestant should be given 30 minutes prior to the flight. Any suggestions on this topic...you mom's or dad's out there? I also have a 12 year old, any concerns there? Thanks:earseek:

UPDATE: Please see my post dated 3/19 for information that was given by a pediatrician for the best way to prevent ear problems.

[mep319]

My daughter7 has had no "medical" problems with her ears. But suffers from migraines and every flight since the time she was an infant cried on take off and landing. The earplugs for planes work well. I also give her a decongesant and motion sickness pills,BONINE. (It would hurt bad enough at time she would vomit...not a fun experience anywhere but certainly not on a plane!) They use to be available by prescription but are now over the counter...they are great...don't make her drowsy (even though that might not be a bad thing!). I try gum and lollipops but she has just started doing that the last few years...wouldn't chew gum until she was 6 ...now I can't make her stop!!

[millerjmls]

Bonine is recommended for children over 12 years only. I could give that to my daughter, but not my 4 year old.

[GaryWT]

Our youngest has had ear problems all his life but can not have tubes put in. We were flying a couple years ago when he came down with an ear infection 4 days before takeoff. The doc gave us super dose of meds to get things going but someone either here or on a cruise board told us to bring 2 juice boxes for each flight, one to sip on the way up and one on the way down, it works better than gum or anything like that. We did not have a problem with this and he had great flights. He is now 8 so we hope he is outgrowing things but who knows.

[tjmw2727]

Check with the pediatrician or the ent about a decongestant and if he/she ok's it give it a dry run before the flight. Some kids get hyper and some get sleepy, you want to be prepared. You may want to bring the earplanes along to make sure they are ok with the tubes. We haven't used them but a good friend of ours dd gets great releif from them.

For general ear releif, my girls have the best luck with water from a sports bottle to sip on or starbursts. For us the starbursts work better than gum because of the need to swallow in addition to chew. (Not to mention its a great treat for them!).

TJ

[coolmom_1966]

My daughter was 3 when we took her on her first flight. Her nose was a little stuffed up that morning and she cried on takeoff and landing. The airline attendant suggested a decongestant before takeoff. That's what she does when she has a cold. I felt awful because I didn't realize that would happen.

[SillyOleBear]

As a child, I experienced painful ear problems during take off and landing. My Dr. suggested a decongestant (such as Sudafed) and I've taken it ever since for all flights - solved the ear pain immediately. Again, check with your Dr. before giving the child a decongestant. Good luck!

[mep319]

I'd ask your ped. My doctor had us give her a half of a tablet at age 4. I just looked at my package and it has directions for 6 and over. Under 6 consult a doctor.

[NotUrsula]

The best decongestant for eliminating ear/sinus pressure is Guaifenesin, which is the active ingredient in Robitussin, but is also available in many generic formulations, too. You will often find it combined w/ pseudoephedrine (aka Sudafed.) Neither of these 2 ingredients will cause drowsiness; for that you would need to add an antihistamine to the mix. An antihistamine alone will NOT do anything to ease ear pain/pressure, though it will cause most children to fall asleep.

In addition to giving a decongestant about 30 minutes before takeoff, the child should also drink continuously during takeoff and landing. The swallowing helps to open the Eustachian tubes.
Carry your own sport bottle of water; the FA's won't give you drinks before takeoff.

If you do all this and your child still gets pain, page the FA and ask for "cups for his/her ears." The FA will bring two foam coffee cups which have wet paper napkins stuffed in the bottom. The water is poured in at boiling temperature from the teapot, so first turn the cups upside down to make sure no hot water will drip out. (If there is too much water, stuff in more napkins.) Having checked that for safety, hold the cups over both of the child's ears as if they were headphones. This forms little steam chambers, and the heat will equalize the pressure behind the eardrum and ease the pain.

[ducklite]

Since a ruptured ear drum about ten years ago (don't ever fly with a severe ear infection!), and then a bout with mastoiditis five years ago, I've had terrible ear problems when flying. I use Ear Planes and they help tremendously. I also try to sip on something during the half hour before landing. My problems are much more severe on the way down than the way up.

Between the Ear Planes and the water bottle, I'm uncomfortable, but not in agony.

Anne

[jultomzach]

I will second the suggestion for EarPlanes and they are available in childsize. My son has worn them since he has been two. Now that he is five years old, he asks for them as soon as he feels pressure, which seems to be erratic and not on every flight.

[mickeydonald]

I agree about childrens' Earplanes...it has been a tremendous help for our 5 year old...

[Princess Tink]

My DS has experienced 2 plane rides with ear issues...........the first time he had tubes put in just a few months before our first trip. When I asked our dr about what we could do, he gave us a presciption for an ear numbing drop (similiar to what they give to children with a severe ear infection, as is would numb any pain). The second time, he was 4 and he came down with an ear infection approx 7-10 days prior to our vacation.....the dr gave him the strogest possible allowed dosage of antibiotics for his age/weight and again a numbing type med that could be dropped in his ears right before take off. We gave his fruit snacks & juice drink at take off and landing on both trips and was lucky enough to not have any issues at all! I took a wide variety of snacks (candy, gum, fruit snacks, cereal, ect) just in case he didn't want one, he'd take another.

[millerjmls]

I think I will use the EarPlanes, have juice boxes on hand and give Sudafed before take-off. That way I'll cover all of the bases ! Thanks for the help.

[5infam]

For those that have used earplanes, do you put them in before take off and leave them in for the whole flight? I have a 2, 4 and 13 year old, and wasn't sure how to use the earplanes.:cool: :cool: :cool:

[QBUSH]

We too do the Sudafed and chewy candy routine. Our doctor recommended this when ds was 4. He is now 12 but we still do it and have never had a problem. He likes starburst and gummi bears - gum does not work as well.

[ducklite]

Originally posted by 5infam
For those that have used earplanes, do you put them in before take off and leave them in for the whole flight? I have a 2, 4 and 13 year old, and wasn't sure how to use the earplanes.:cool: :cool: :cool:

I wear them the entire flight, unless I'm taking a longer flight--like a non-stop from NY to LA, then usually I'll take them out for a couple hours in the middle.

Anne

[Snoozan]

I wear earplanes on my 2 1/2 hour flight to Orlando or Tampa(I wear kids' size as I have little ears)and usually keep them in for the bulk of the flight. I don't care how silly I look as I have very short hair so those little blue earplugs stick out but I haven't had any problem with "stuffy" ears since wearing them. I also try to remember to take the Sudafed for a couple of days before flying, to be sure. I also notice the pressure more on the way down - which starts about 45 minutes before landing, so be sure to have them in the last hour.

[Parrothd]

:crazy: This may sound like a stupid question, but where might one purchase "Ear Planes"? Just curious. Thanx in advance.

:sunny:

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by Parrothd
:crazy: This may sound like a stupid question, but where might one purchase "Ear Planes"? Just curious. Thanx in advance.

:sunny:

Walgreen and CVS type pharmacy stores carry them. Our local Walgreen stocks them by the eye and ear drops. They carry adult and child sizes.

TJ

[temple4]

How long before takeoff and landing do you give the sudafed? My daughter will be 6 and we will be flying from California. She had an okay time on take off, but a horrible time with her ears on landing in 2002. She wouldn't keep the earplanes in when she was 4. Hope for better luck this time. Will definately try the starburst and the sports bottle.

[QBUSH]

temple4,

I give him the sudafed while we are at the gate awaiting departure - we save the starbursts, Kraft caramels or gummi bears until actual take off and landing; he also has a water bottle to sip on; Forgot to mention that I too always have the medicated ear drops "just in case" - never used them on a flight trip but you can never be too careful. I think most kid docs understand the potential for a ruined trip and will prescribe a "just in case" med.

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[daystar]

Hi,
We took my five and twelve year old boys on a plane for the first time at Christmas....My oldest son had no problems but my youngest son had a horrible time....We were told to keep him chewing or sucking on a piece of candy, well that didn't work for the way down....He screamed something terrible for atleast 20 minutes, you could imagine the people looking but what can you do.....Any ways on the way back we bought earplanes and they seem to work wonders for him going up and coming down....When i took him for a check up with his doctor he told me that i should of given him some kind of decongestant, i guess it's suppose to open up the ears..... I would probbly double up on making sure he doesn't have any discomfort...Since he has had alot of medical problems with his ears i would make sure that you check with a doctor before you get on the plane.....It's hard to see your little one in pain and don't know what more you can do for him....

[Microcell]

I'd always had ear problems on flights until I discovered EarPlanes. I put them in as soon as the doors are shut and don't take them out until after landing. Not only does it help prevent the pain but it also blocks out the noise for a more peaceful flight.

I've never used them on my kids though. Has anyone tried them with a 2 year old? I would think he'd just pull them right out.

[millerjmls]

After all of the confilicting information about which medication and techniques to use for prevention of ear pain for children on flights, I decided to to call the pediatrician for the best solution. He said to use "Little Noses" for infants and children. It must be the decongestant nose drops, not the saline ones. It is the ingredient phenylephrine hydrochloride which is a nasal decongestant that is needed to open the eustachian tubes. It is 90% effective whereas Sudafed is found to be only 30% effective. Use the spray in combination with chewing candy or gum or even with the EarPlanes if you would like additional protection. Robitussin is not an effective drug. The guaifenesin ingredient is not a decongestant, it is an expectorant. It is used to break up congestion and mucous. Guaifenesin thins mucous, increases lubrication of the respiratory tract (lungs, nose, and throat), and increases the removal of mucous. Therefore, is not the drug of choice.
For adult relief, Afrin Nasal spray which has the nasal decongestant oxymetazoline hydrochloride is the way to go.

Just wanted to clarify all of the information here. Thanks.

[ducklite]

Great info! Thanks for posting! :)

Anne

[BrittnTylersMom]

Thanks for the information!!!:D

[NotUrsula]

The reason I (on the advice of my otolaryngologist) use guaifenesin is that in a healthy person, nasal and sinus mucous tends to be gelatinous and does not drain quickly. The guiafenesin, combined w/ drinking lots of water liquefies it and allows it to drain more freely. It is technically classed as an expectorant, but the effect that it has in the sinuses and eustachian tubes is that of a decongestant.

Phenylephrine hydrochloride is more effective than sudafed, but it is also contraindicated for a lot of people; I can't use it myself. Read the label on any OTC nasal spray very carefully, and be very careful not to overuse any of them; that can cause a rebound effect that actually worsens congestion.

[millerjmls]

In this instance, the nasal spray is not used for congestion, it it used to open the eustachian tubes. This (as with many medications) could be misused and all medications have side effects, this is true. My statement is only that: this is the first drug of choice. For those who cannot use it, there are other preventative measures which can be taken.

[garfieldfreak]

I have had ear problems all my life (I am 33). I had tubes in my ears and had both my eardrums reconstructed. I also have eustachian tube dysfunction. I use sudafed and my nasal spray (prescription) about 1 hour before the plane takes off. I also chew gum and keep swallowing during the entire flight. This works really well for me and my ent approves of my plan. I also always, always, go in to see my ent 10-14 days before I fly to make sure I don't have an ear infection (half the time I do and he gives me a good dose of antiobiotics to clear it up before I leave). My ears feel a little congested after I land but it usually clears up in about 1 hour. So, I vote for the combination of sudafed and gum/chewy candy. I have never tried the "ear planes" before, I will definitely ask my ent at my next appt (which is May 21 because we leave June 5 my POFQ). :bounce: :jester:

[GoingtoWDWagain]

My toddler had this same problem (ear pain) during our flight last year. I called and asked my pediatrician what can I do to avoid this. The pediatrician suggested I use Benadryl. The pediatrician also stated that this can make my toddler drowsy or hyper.

Has anyone ever used this for a toddler?