Flying with a head cold...

[disneydreamerinny]

Any tips?
It figures, only 5 days left and I am sick. I think my DD's are getting sick too.
I have heard it can be miserable to fly if you have a head cold.
Any meds we should take that could help?
Any other tricks?

 

[bytheblood]

Call your doc immediately and and ask for some Duraphen Forte or another med that will turn the junk to liquid. Also, you can use that Airborn (sp) stuff as I hear it works very well. Maybe even suck on some zinc drops.

 

[Lewisc]

Take something like sudafed 30 minutes before taking off and 30 minutes before landing. I do it even if I'm exceeding the dosage but check with your doctor.

 

[Rella Bella]

Get some Zicam!!!
It comes in nasal spray and in swabs. If you are 5 days out you have a good chance of getting rid of it (or definitly the worst of it) before you fly. This stuff really works! Three days and a cold is gone. Especially if you start it in the first 24 hours. Give it a try!

 

[alisonbestford]

Take something like sudafed 30 minutes before taking off and 30 minutes before landing. I do it even if I'm exceeding the dosage but check with your doctor.

Yes, some form of decongestant should work.

A collegue (doc as I'm a nurse) once told me, several years ago, to take it for around 24 hours before flying to give it chance to build up and work.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm a sudafed believer, too. I'm trying zicam for my currently-developing cold. A family member swears by it, but this is not the first miracle cure she's recommended, so I'm waiting to pass judgement.

 

[bavaria]

Here's a great drink courtesy of a sweet Starbucks barista at Chicago, who makes my coffee every two weeks. One day I had a wicked cold, along with 2/3 of my connecting flight, it turned out. Thanks to her, I was comfortable with clear nasal passages for the flight.

She used
- one grande cup boiling water
- added 3 of my cough drops (I was using ginger ones, so they were especially tasty, but lemon ones would be good too)
- juice of two lemons
- two chai tea teabags (just the tea, not the milk, etc)

Then she let it all melt together, and made me drink it right away. It actually worked! (I had ordered a coffee, but she made me this instead, on the house)

Needless to say, Starbucks received a letter from me on this one.