advice for ear pain after plane

[Blueeyes101817]

Advice needed guys...
I leave for disney in 10 days...

last trip--when i got home, my ears wouldnt "pop" for about 3 weeks.. went to the doctor, they said just to wait..but it was very painful...any ideas on how to prevent this from happening ? ive been in planes a ton of times and always chew gum and yawn and all that..help

 

[princess pooh]

I take a long-lasting decongestant before takeoff. Nasal spray also works well for me. I have the same problem as you, my ears take forever to pop and it's very uncomfortable

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i took sudafed last time--any others to try?

 

[SandraM]

I wonder if maybe you had a cold last time you flew? That would make a blockage last a bit longer than normal. It's a horrible sensation when your ears get blocked, I've had it before, but never longer than 2 or 3 days. Living on an island, you get used to flying, but I was very grateful when someone gave me a tip years ago about using wax earplugs. The ones I get are "Quies" brand - don't know if you can get them in the US - and they are covered with cotton wool. You can mould them to fit your ear in a couple of minutes, pop them in until the plane reaches cruising height, and then remove them until beginning the descent.

If you feel your ears have clogged up during the flight, the trick I found works is to squeeze your nose tightly and blow hard, as if you were trying to clear your nose (sorry, I know this is a bit yucky). Your ears should pop and suddenly everything will sound a bit louder!

In terms of a longer term solution, I have found that the more often I took a flight, the more easily my ears seemed to tolerate it.

Good luck!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Thanks..ill have to try this stuff...
i tried the nose thing..didnt work..it was so painful!!
maybe i did have a cold--i work at a day care center so its usually something
thanks!

 

[minniecarousel]

I had a rough couple of days when we came back from Hawaii this summer. I've never had the ear problem before. I was going in for minor surgery 3 days after landing, so I didn't want to take any medication, but it was OK by then. I tried to buy chewing gum at the airport, but was told they don't sell gum there! I'll try a decongestant next time.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I also do the "hold your nose, shut your mouth and blow" trick. It always works for me. I do it at least three to four times a flight. It only affects me when we start descending. When I feel the pressure start building, I do it. You may have waited too long.

 

[Meriweather]

I always have ear problems. Very painful!!
Decongestant and EAR PLANES! Ear planes are a huge help. Not 100% but so much better.
Ears only stay clogged for me for a couple hours with those....and most people don't have any problems when using them.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

what are ear planes??

 

[Disney Ella]

Last time I flew, I wore earplanes for the outgoing flight, but not the flight coming home. When the plane landed at home, I had a sinus headache and my ears were clogged, so obviously the earplanes do help.

Earplanes are little plastic things you can get at any drugstore that help equalize the pressure when you take off or land.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

hmm ill have to try those---any idea about the price?
sorry for all thequestions, but the doctor just looked at me like i was crazy when i went to them last time

 

[Disney Ella]

Earplanes cost about $7. One set is good for both an outgoing and return flight.

 

[lewdyan1]

No good suggestions as we always drive, I just wanted to say:

Yeah for 10 days!

 

[Meriweather]

Ear planes are at Wal-Mart, Target, etc too and here they are about $4.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

No good suggestions as we always drive, I just wanted to say:

Yeah for 10 days!

woohoo...if u see me in the parks, say hi!! ill have my mini purple backpack!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

looks like im going to find earplanes! thanks guys

 

[lewdyan1]

I will be looking for you! I am wearing either a green DIS shirt on Saturday or a lime green EPCOT shirt! DD and I will have green ribbons and our DIS buttons from Meriweather (thank you Nancy)! If I don't see you, we will for sure meet up in December!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

sounds good!! ill have my DIS button most likely on my backpack, then my bday button on my shirt..have a great trip and if i dont see you,,,wait till december

 

[720L]

I would do earplanes AND a decongestant!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Okay. I'm a sort of pro at this.

If you have Allegra, Claratin, Benydral - take it before boarding.

Drop a few Listerine pockets in the farthest back of you mouth! These babies really open up your nasal passages and ears.

While assending, chew gum.

Just before descending take a few more Listerine Pockets and you should be okay.

Now, if you are on your trip and are concerned about your ears. Take a droplet and fill the bottle with 1/2 rubbing alcohol and 1/2 white vinegar. Put a few drops in just after getting out of the pool each day. This will take care of any water build up that may cause ear problems, clogging and infections.

Good luck to you, team mate!