Children and ear problems on flights

[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.

 

[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!!!

 

[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).

 

[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?