Ear pain & flying

[MELSMICE]

My oldest DD (14) gets severe ear pain (pressure) when we fly. In November when we returned from our trip she was in tears because of the pressure build up. The Dr. said to give her some Afrin nasal spray to try & relieve it.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of anything she can use on the plane or before the flight that may alleviate this before it happens.

 

[mbb]

and we would never fly with out giving the kids a decongestant...Dimetapp Elixer is one we picked up in Fla for the trip home...check with your family doctor or pharmacist...

We (the Grownups!!) use Advil Cold and Sinus tablets...warm compresses are also good if the pain starts getting bad... and I like the EarPlanes. Teh kids won't use them, and I leave them in for the enitire flight...

Hope this helps!!

 

[Dismom63]

My DD 12 also uses earplanes (I like them as well, but DH and DS don't). We give her a decongestant and have plenty of gum ready! Some of her ear trauma can also be allevaited with a snack and drink (maybe the chewing & swallowing?). All of these things really seem to help!
We fly quite a bit and she is gradually getting better because she realizes not to wait until it happens - prevention is key!

 

[Dismom63]

oops just saw my spelling error! Third grade teacher - shame on me!

 

[MELSMICE]

What are earplanes & where can I get them - any pharmacy?

 

[KerriMc]

Did you find the Dimetapp made them sleepy? I was thnking of a decongestant, but was worried that my oldest would sleep the whole trip. If she wants to sleep that is ok, but I'd like for her to enjoy some of it. Plus ... she would fight us like crazy to take medicine. We have just started to have this problem, as she is currently battling a bad cold bug. My 6 mos old, has just come down with this today. Hopefully they will both be healthy soon as we fly out on Sunday !!!

Kerri

 

[jody]

EarPlanes are ear plugs. Get them at a pharmacy or audiologist's office. Visit earplanes.com

 

[disney4evr]

I found the earplanes at CVS Pharmacy. I bought them for our trip last May my DD 6 used a pair and they worked great. My DH also took a decongestant before he put his in and he was fine. My suggestion would be to have both on hand. Good luck.

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by KerriMc
Did you find the Dimetapp made them sleepy? I was thnking of a decongestant, but was worried that my oldest would sleep the whole trip. If she wants to sleep that is ok, but I'd like for her to enjoy some of it. Plus ... she would fight us like crazy to take medicine. We have just started to have this problem, as she is currently battling a bad cold bug. My 6 mos old, has just come down with this today. Hopefully they will both be healthy soon as we fly out on Sunday !!!

Kerri

It did, a little, but the flight for us is over three hours...so an hour nap is not such a bad thing!!

Try putting the grape flavour Dimetapp in Grape juice...make sure the juice is cold...might help!!

Have a great trip!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Robitussin or the generic equivalent (containing Guiafenesin) is more effective at relieving ear/sinus pressure than Dimetapp. Also, Guiafenesin does not cause sleepiness unless it is combined w/ an antihistamine.

 

[Tribe0701]

Do these Earplanes do anything wierd to you? Or are they just plane ole earplugs?

 

[Pixie glitter]

Earplanes supposedly equalize the pressure in your eardrums. They don't help me, but I know they help some people a lot. They're inexpensive (around $3-4 a pair), so they're certainly worth a try.

Regarding the Afrin (sp?) nasal decongestant spray, the key thing is to use it in both nostrils about 30 minutes BEFORE your flight takes off. Both DH and I have had horrible ear pain while flying before, and doing this totally does the trick for preventing pain for us.

 

[Dismom63]

I have to agree with NotUrsula's post about the ingredient being important. Over the years our children have flown quite a bit and DD has always had ear concerns on land but because of using (back then Naldecon) a product with guaifenesin, she has traveled pain free. Not to mention our ent specialist and ped both recommended this. While Naldecon appears no longer to be sold OTC, Robitussin is.
Happy Flying!

 

[treesinger]

I get SEVERE head pain during and after a flight. Sometimes lasting through the next day. Decongesting before the flight is key. Doesn't matter how you do it, just do it.

I used earplanes before. They did seem to help, but they irritated my ears some. I think my ears were slightly swollen to begin with, which aggravated the problem.

And always bring gum. Helps pop the ears.

 

[KIS]

I checked a box of earplanes in the pharmacy and the box read that they were designed for children over the age of eleven.

Does anyone know why that is? I've read here that someone used them successfully for a six year old. I wonder what the risk might be for a child under that age.

KIS

 

[kimba]

KIS,

There are earplanes for children also. We are going to be getting them on drugstore.com for our 2 year old.

They are just a smaller size than the over age 11 ones.

 

[NotUrsula]

They make a smaller size of earplanes for kids; you were probably looking at the adult size. However, just FYI, not all kids will tolerate earplanes; mine won't put up with them for so much as a minute.

 

[KIS]

notUrsula,

Thanks for the advise. I did not know that. I will have to do some looking.

I could use those adult sized earplanes. I always get uncomfortable and sometimes it can be quite painful to fly.

I will also have to have an alternative for her and me -- gum, decongestant or something.

My daughter is pretty congested right now. Even though our trip seems far away (end of april), the kid has a history of ear infections and colds that go on and on and on. So, I'm watching that, poised to bring her to the doc's in a week or so if does not clear up.

I dread the thought of her being sick in WDW. There are some bad bugs which circulating around where we live.

And, I'll be prepared to assist her in being as comfortable as she can me.

KIS

 

[peanuttrip]

It has to do with their age and messing around with the earplug. the manufacter is worrier that a young child will push it in to far and do damage. This is after the parent puts them in. My DD is 4 and also has very bad pain when flying and we have used them for her and it has help, but you have to make very sure they understand that they can not play with them. The first time we used the plugs DD played with them and we ended up taking them out for fear of damaging the eardrum but after realizing they were helping keep her ears from popping we put them back in and she did not mess with them again.

 

[2minny]

I'm so glad to read this thread, very helpful! I have dealt with severe ear pain while flying for years, I can remember as an adult on a business trip almost crying my ears hurt so bad. It did actually go into the next day, terrible. This time I"m going to be proactive for myself and family!