Help with airplane ear please!

[nicolita3]

About a day and a half ago I took a flight while I had a cold, while we were descending my ears were in so much pain! I could not get them to pop, I still cannot, right now it is worse in my right ear and when I tilt my head it feels like there is liquid in there. Does anyone have any cures or remedies? I can hardly hear out of my right ear it feels like someone stuck a big huge cotton ball in my ear. I have tried the pluging your nose and blowing thing and it doesnt work. Will this go away when my cold goes away? I am just worried that this could turn into something serious especially when I dont have insurance. I hope there are some DISers out there who have experienced this who can give me some tips or tell me about their experiences.

 

[ducklite]

The same thing happened to me several times. Decongestants will generally help clear it up. As long as it's not painful, it should go away on it's own, but can take as much as a week. Laying your head on a warm compress or heating pad set to low might help as well.

In the future, try EarPlanes, they really work!

 

[nicolita3]

thank you so much for your reply, i will def. try the warm compress.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Decongestants and heat.

I had a flight attendant bring me cups once that had paper towels folded in the bottom. SHe had poured HOT water in , then dumped the water out. I held the cups over my ears and it really helped. I was a kid........

But I still use that trick with DD8.

 

[LiteBrite]

I fly fairly often and have terrible trouble with my ears. What works for me is to use a nasal decongestant (like Afrin) about 30 minutes before my flight, and then to use Earplanes while the plane is ascending and descending. For me, this is the magic combination that works every time.

 

[swilphil]

I recommend Earplanes as well.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

A decongestant should help you out. Ask the pharmacist for one of the ones they now keep behind the counter, rather than taking one from the cold and flu aisle. They don't require a prescription, but you do need to sign for them. (They're much stronger than the ones that are out on the floor.)

Until the liquid starts to drain, try to avoid doing the hold-your-nose-and-blow thing too much. If you're ear is full of liquid, this may cause it to "bubble up" and be even more uncomfortable.

 

[teacups]

This may sound strange, but give it a try. It's very comforting.
Fill a sock with salt enough to make it about the size of an orange. Tie it in a knot. Microve it for about a minute until it's HOT, wrap it in a thin towel and hold it against the ear. You can position it under the ear and then lay on it... salt draw out moisture.

I agree with using earplanes from now on. I dont remove them in-flight either. Leave them in the whole time.

 

[Mkrop]

Go buy some real Sudafed that they keep behind the pharmacy counter. Dont mess with the other stuff. You will have to sign for it so bring your licensce. I take sudafed two hours before a flight and this has helped me tremdously. This is the only thing that works for me. Earplanes did not work for me.

Hope you feel better

 

[nicolita3]

Thank you so much for your replys, I am feeling so miserable right now, with this cold and too top it of with this ear thing ugghhh! Whats worse is I have school on monday and I am trying to get better by then. Thank you so much guys! I am going out right now to get some sudafed.

 

[nicolita3]

I just wanted to say thanks for all you fellow disers tips, today at school I finally felt that wonderfull pop! I know it sounds weird. But all that pressure from my head just left! It was such a relief!

 

[CathrynRose]

I recommend Earplanes as well.

Add me to the list too. I had a miserable time, for days afterwards, when I flew before I discovered them. They are absolutely a pain saver!

 

[nicolita3]

i will def. try them next time!