flying + ear problems

[chrisd596]

What do you guys recommend for kids to use when flying with pressure changes in the plane.


thanks
chris

 

[SheriB]

Ear Planes. They are little ear plug things with a ceramic filter in them that help regulate pressure. They work really well, and come in adult and children's sizes. You should be able to find them at your local WalMart, KMart, etc. I tried to buy them in Orlando airport because my son lost one on the way down, and they didn't have them! So make sure you have a spare pair!

Sheri

 

[sgtdilbert]

Being a pilot, here's the sure fire way of helping clear the pressure.

1. Pinch your nose

2. Close you mouth

3. Swallow, a bunch of times.

This is the SAFE way to clear your ears. You'll find a lot of well meaning people telling you to blow with your mouth closed and nose pinched. NOT SAFE! This can actually damage your inner ear by forcing material in there.

s.

 

[JimB.]

sgtdilbert is right on. The "valsalva" manuever is a ticket to ear infections & can also rupture an eardrum if done too forcefully.

As an emergency measure, I also always fly with a spray bottle of Neo-Synephrine in the event of sinus congestion or ear blocks.

(Shhhhhhh. Don't tell the flight surgeon. He NEVER knew............ or he just ignored it )

 

[Disneyflyer]

Basically you want something to drink, suck or chew on the last half hour of the flight during the descent. Climbing to altitude is usually not a problem except for people with colds or congestion. For infants, have a bottle feeding planned. For kids, have a bottle of water for them. Gum or hard candy can do the trick too.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

For me, the pain on descent was so severe that I was crying on my Husband's shoulder. It was really bad, and I felt so stupid.

Now I use "Ear Planes". This is much better. Sometimes excess chewing and talking can loosen those plugs, though, so you have to watch for that.

My last flight was only last month. I tried using the children's size of "Ear Planes" and it was even much better than before.

Believe me, they do work !!

 

[ByTheSea]

Taking a decongestant helps, especially if there was a recent cold or sinus problem.

I fly weekly and colds can't stop me, so (after discussing this with my ENT after a particularly bad/painful flight) I always carry Afrin Nasal spray. If I have any type of cold/sinus thing going on, I use it before the flight. The decent is usually much more painful that the accent, so if I didn't think I needed the spray and end up having a problem on the way up and I will use the nasal spray so I don't have a problem on the way down. I also always take a tylonel sinus before I fly. I used to suffer ear pain frequently but it's been a long time since I started taking precautions.

Ear planes are great for kids, but I usually make sure we have some childrens decongestant with us just in case. If he complains on the way up, he get's a chewable decongestant on the plane.

 

[Kaybee]

My son had a horrible time with flying the last time we went to
Orlando. His ears hurt so bad he was crying. Everyone around
us offered gum, hard candy, etc but nothing helped. I bought
Triaminic and gave his some an hour before take off on our return
trip home and that helped alot. He didn't have near the discomfort
as he did going down.

 

[ahutton]

I have a ton of ear problems and have had the most success by taking a little benadryl before flying, and some advil if I've had any recent trouble. That reduces the inflamation and dries it out any congestion that may cause pressure. Both come in children's formulas.

I've had no luck trying to get them to suck on a binky or bottle when upset because of pressure and mine are too small for regular hard candy but a DumDum sucker or a Safety Sucker worked like a charm!

 

[mb168]

Leave the kids at home !!!!!!!LOL