Ear pain while flying

[rewok]

I can vouch for the following, as I have frequent sinus congestion, and it can hurt my ears a lot when flying if I don't take care of it:

- try to get your GP to prescribe a Costicostreroids spray like Nasonex. I take it regularly in Allergy seasons, as well as flu season to keep my sinus cavities from inflammation. The effect is slow, and you have to take it for at least 2 weeks before flying.

- go to an osteopath a few days before flying: they can make manipulations to help empty filled sinuses. It's really magical, painless, and here at least not too expensive for a consult (and they will help out other aches at the same time).

- take Sudafed (the real stuff like other said) twice before the flight (ex. 8 hours before, and when you get to the airport).

I've been doing 1 or 2 of these before a plane trip for the last few years, and my ear pain went from bad to nonexistent. And my general headaches/earaches also disappeared!

 

[Ofinn]

Ask the FA for hot packs or towels. The heat will relieve the pressure in the ear. Airlines that have a first class will normally have hot towels.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Drinking water, the swallowing helped me, chewing gum didn't pop them.

 

[ChristmasElf]

My 15 yo daughter has problems with her ears when we flew before. Pain, of course, and then her ears didn't "pop" until she was sleeping. She was chewing gum, but it didn't really help that much.

Any advise on what else might help?

Go to the drugstore and buy Claritin D. Take this at least an hour before the flight.
I fly on a regular basis and this product is the best for this problem.