Advice for plugged and achy ears?

[avdeane]

I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some suggestions for unplugging your ears? My ears keep plugging up and aching and nothing I've tried has made it go away. When one feels better it moves over to the other. Monday is a holiday here in Canada so I won't be able to get to a doctor until tuesday at the earliest and need to find someway to try and handle this until then.

So far I have put drops of warm olive oil in my ears and covered with a bit of cotton. I have flushed my ears out with warm water, used a warm wet cloth and had the heating pad as well. Plus I have been taking tylenol for the pain. I can't take any over the counter decongestants because of meds I take.

Any home remedies you can suggest would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[jennyanydots]

I was going to say take a decongestant, like sudafed. but I see you can't.

take a hot shower and breathe in the steam -- it'll help unclog your sinuses and eustacian tubes.

 

[chell]

Sorry, but I don't have any advice for you besides what you have already tried. But here is some to possibly help.

 

[helenabear]

Originally posted by jennyanydots
I was going to say take a decongestant, like sudafed. but I see you can't.

take a hot shower and breathe in the steam -- it'll help unclog your sinuses and eustacian tubes.

That's exactly what I was going to suggest as well. Unfortunately Sudafed (or an equiv. knock off) is what helps most with me.

Also try warm wet towels on the aching ears between... that helps gets rid of some of the pain for me as well. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

There are products on the market that are for earaches. Go check out your local drugstore.

 

[RachelEllen]

Hi,

This is general advise about plugged up ears. I really can't comment on what will help you in particular, not knowing your medical history and all that. (Obligatory 'advise from a total stranger via internet' disclaimer)

Usually, the feeling of plugged up ears comes from something behind the ear drum or a problem with the eardrum itself. Something in front of the eardrum usually muffles the sound, but doesn't give you that plugged or painful feeling.

Most commonly, your eustachean tubes aren't working because something around them is swollen or obstructing them. Decongestants can be a real help here. If the real problem is an allergy, an antihistimine might help also.

Otherwise, you have two other options. If the main problem is pain, something like Tylenol or Advil might tide you over until you can see a doctor.

You could also do physical manuervers to manipulate the tubes or push air through them. Things like chewing, moving your jaw, and yawning help. If you are comfortable with something more forceful, you can also do a manuever involving holding your nose, closing off your throat (like you are about to swallow) and exhaling forcibely. It's something SCUBA divers do to equilibrate their ears, and can be very helpful on airplanes.

 

[powellrj]

if you are congested, try a saline nose spray. it really does help get all the yuck out of your head without any side effects.

 

[avdeane]

Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions and advice. I did go to the pharmacy and the pharmacist told me to see the doctor. Hmmm I couldn't have figured that out on my own!! He suggested putting a few drops of rubbing alchohol in my ear to dry things up and see if that helped the blockage. It did a bit but I'm sure there must be some infection or something else there.

Thanks again!