Possible Ear Problems on Plane

[micsmom]

My husband and I are taking a trip to WDW starting October 24 (can't believe it's only a week and a half away!). It will be our DD's (almost 5 years old) trip on an airplane.

She currently has a double ear-infection and sinus infection--is taking an antibiotic which hopefully will clear things up prior to our trip.

My question is, any suggestions on what to do for potential ear-pressure problems for a child who I know, will not let me put ear plugs in her ears?? Total "turkey" when it comes to anything in her ears!!

My ears bug me too, but I think I'll try the Earplanes I've heard about - but, I know she won't go for that "in my ears" idea.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

PS -- Also, if anyone can get me over my fear of flying given the recent events, I'd love those suggestions too -- just can't seem to "relax" about being in a plane!!

THANKS!

 

[Amazing-grace]

Hi there, I hope DD improves soon, I had an ear infection and subsequent perforated eardrum a week before our trip from the UK last Oct, I didn't know for sure if I was allowed to fly until 2 days before! I wasn't advised to put anything in my ears, but it helps if your sinus's are clear. I took some menthol crystals & a plastic cup with a lid & mask that covered my nose + mouth, I didn't actually use it on the plane but it came in handy whilst we were there. the idea is if you start to feel bunged up (which will build pressure behind the eardrum) then sprinkle a few crystals into some hot water in the cup and inhale. It's great, clears your head and gets you breathing more easily.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Ask her doctor about using a decongestant before and during the flight. You might also want to take her back to the Doctor about 5 days before the trip to make sure the infection is indeed gone. I fought the ear wars with my son at that age and know that sometimes one round will not cure the infection.Let the doctor know you are going to Disney. He might can treat her with a more aggresive drug.Flying with an ear infection can be bad news and nobody wants to go to Disney sick! Get her well and have a wonderful trip!

Jordan's mom

 

[tjmw2727]

My odlest dd is hypersensitive to touch and would go WILD if I tried to put something in her ears. I think I may know how you feel. The earplanes are large enough and safe enough that my dd at about 5 was able to do it herself and they did work well. Consult with the dd as close to the trip as you can as he/she will have the best advice with regard to the medication. Grab a pair of the child size earplanes as they are not to expensive and see if she can use them "by herself". I have also found a lollypop works as well as sipping from a straw. Have a wonderful trip.
TJ

 

[aprincessmom]

Have her drink water from a sports bottle during take off and landing. Our DD has been doing this since she was a baby and it works fine. Also keeps her hydrated during the flight.

 

[micsmom]

Thanks for all of your suggestions -- I've made an appt. with her doctor for next Monday (two days before we fly!), to re-check her ears to make sure the infection is gone. Will also purchase the child-size Earplanes, and let her try to put them in herself. Also bring plenty of bubble-gum, lollypops and a decongestant (with her Doc's OK).

Hopefully, all of this combined will work well -- just need to get my ears to an OK reaction (like mother like daughter -- my ears go nuts on a plane also!)

Thanks again for your suggestions -- hard to believe that one week and one day from now, we'll be at DISNEY!!!!! Jeez, am I starting to sound like a little kid??!!

 

[Padre Disney]

Two of our children along with me have terrible pain during flights. We have only flew a few times and it has been terrible. The kids even cry. Gum, suckers and straws have not helped us. The earplanes helped some but not much. We are usually in so much pain from our flights that we are almost sick to our stomachs.
After explaining this to our doctor he suggested the earplanes along with the use of NEOSYNEPHRINE nose spray 1%. He said 2 sprays in each nostril 6 hours, 3 hours and 1 hour before each flight and again 1/2 hour before descent. I thought this sounded like way too much. Has anyone else ever heard of the use of Neosynephrine? He even said that it could be dangerous if you could not get your ears to unplug in the air. Is that true?

 

[imgoingtodisney]

The landing at Orlando airport was bad for me. I couldnt hear anything during the entire landing. Scared me. Not too bad on the trip back however.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I watched a flight attendant do this once and thought it was great (so did the little boy). She got 2 styrofoam cups, put paper towels run under very warm water, then rung out, in the cups, then put one over each ear. "There, now you have Mickey Ears!" The warm steam helps keep the ears "open". But not all flight attendants know about this. Next time I flew, a child was having pressure problems as we descended, so I asked the flight attendant to get him some Mickey Ears. She just looked at me like I was totally crazy!

 

[micsmom]

Simba's Mom - Thanks for the suggestion of the Mickey Ears -- I'll have to keep that in mind, might just have to try it myself -- I have pressure problems with my ears too!!

We'd look kinda cute with matching Mother/Daughter cups on our ears!

Thanks again for the suggestion -- still can't believe next week at this time we'll be visiting THE MOUSE!!!!

 

[kecall]

Sorry I'm posting so close to your trip (somehow missed the post earlier)...anyway, I had a horrible experience a few years ago flying!! (Unbelievable pressure...) Sooo...when I flew a few weeks ago, I went prepared.

I used the earplanes...kept em in the entire time....no chances of forgetting and putting them in too late..

I also discovered the Vicks Inhalers!!! This SAVED ME!!! (They look like a chapstick but you inhale something that smells like Vicks Vapor Rub!) It opened by sinuses up immediately...and kept me from going crazy! -- They are cheap...I'd buy one and see if your DD will breath in @ take off and landing (esp. landing!)

Hope it helps!

Have a great trip!

 

[B3LM]

These are great tips! We're flying at the end of November and, of course, I'm all worried about my kids coming down with colds and the pressure bothering their ears. I actually have a doctor's appointment tomorrow because I've been messing with a sinus infection for two weeks and my ear is bothering me, too. I decided that I'd better get it cleared up now.

Thanks for all the great tips!
Micsmom, hope your son's infection clears up soon! Have a great trip!
Beth