Sinuses and flying

[vgd07]

What are everyone's tips for combatting that splitting ear and/or sinus pain while flying? Never used to have a problem, now it happens almost every time I fly upon landing (and while not being sick.) Anyone take Mucinex D for flights? I've been Neti-ing to prepare for our upcoming vaca.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

take a decongestant and blow your nose every few minutes to keep the pressure from building up

 

[LuvOrlando]

I would get terrible ongoing dizzy spells from flying so years ago my ENT told me:
20 min before I fly, Afrin, 1 tablet behind the counter needs ID kind of Sudafed, some gum and Earplanes. I remember him saying either landing or takeoff was worse but don't remember which, although I've never been in the air long enough for all to wear off. It worked so I always did this.

A friend told me to Neti once and I got the absolute worst infection ever, Dr said don't do it because the water might put germs where I don't want them, so never again for me.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What are everyone's tips for combatting that splitting ear and/or sinus pain while flying? Never used to have a problem, now it happens almost every time I fly upon landing (and while not being sick.) Anyone take Mucinex D for flights? I've been Neti-ing to prepare for our upcoming vaca.

When I'm having sinus issues and I need to fly, I take sudafed to keep things open.

 

[_19disnA]

Chewing gum is also recommended.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Chewing gum is also recommended.

That works for ear pressure, not sure it would have much effect on sinuses.

 

[fly girl]

Flying when your ears won't pop is downright painful!

Valsalva technique!

Bring a small washcloth in your carry on, and ask for a cup of hot water (to make yourself a hot towel.) Place it behind/under ear to soothe pain. It really does help!

Chewing gum is also beneficial, or continuously sipping water on decent. But the first 2 have been helpful to me in my 20 years of being flight crew.


Sinuses: your favorite allergy medication. Allegra D is my go-to. Or the old standby of Benadryl. I have never tried the hot towel on my face but it couldn't hurt to try.

 

[person]

I would get terrible ongoing dizzy spells from flying so years ago my ENT told me:
20 min before I fly, Afrin, 1 tablet behind the counter needs ID kind of Sudafed, some gum and Earplanes. I remember him saying either landing or takeoff was worse but don't remember which, although I've never been in the air long enough for all to wear off. It worked so I always did this.

A friend told me to Neti once and I got the absolute worst infection ever, Dr said don't do it because the water might put germs where I don't want them, so never again for me.

Yes, it suddenly hits you in flight sometimes, doesn't it? Owwww...

 

[usnuzuloose]

I usually take advil for the pain,

 

[izzy]

I would get terrible ongoing dizzy spells from flying so years ago my ENT told me:
20 min before I fly, Afrin, 1 tablet behind the counter needs ID kind of Sudafed, some gum and Earplanes. I remember him saying either landing or takeoff was worse but don't remember which, although I've never been in the air long enough for all to wear off. It worked so I always did this.

Chronic sinus sufferer here, and this is very similar to what my ENT also advised, although he didn’t mention the gum and Earplanes. I think mine said to do the pill and Afrin nose spray an hour before take off, but I’m betting 20 minutes before also does the trick. Plus he said to take an additional snort of Afrin when I landed. Anytime I take Afrin I always say that my nose is having a party because I can actually breathe thru it. Just have to be careful with it because if you use it more than 3 days it actually starts doing the reverse and your nose gets all stopped up. I usually try to put it somewhere I can’t get to easily as it’s so tempting to keep using it.

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't use Afrin, but generic Flonase (fluticasone propionate), along with guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine tablets (yes, the kind you have to request from behind the pharmacy counter, though it's not prescription.)

Fluticasone is a steriod, and does not have as much of the rebound effect as oxymetazoline; however, it does take longer to work well. I start using both a day ahead, to make sure that my sinuses are good and clear before I board.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Flying when your ears won't pop is downright painful!

Valsalva technique!

Bring a small washcloth in your carry on, and ask for a cup of hot water (to make yourself a hot towel.) Place it behind/under ear to soothe pain. It really does help!

Chewing gum is also beneficial, or continuously sipping water on decent. But the first 2 have been helpful to me in my 20 years of being flight crew.


Sinuses: your favorite allergy medication. Allegra D is my go-to. Or the old standby of Benadryl. I have never tried the hot towel on my face but it couldn't hurt to try.

SWA is only giving cans of water. I don't know if hot water is an option for all airlines at the moment.

 

[HeatherC]

I use cold medicine...the kind you get from pharmacist behind the counter. It has pseudoephedrine and ibuprofen in it. Works great and doesn’t make you tired like some other meds.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Chronic sinus sufferer here, and this is very similar to what my ENT also advised, although he didn’t mention the gum and Earplanes. I think mine said to do the pill and Afrin nose spray an hour before take off, but I’m betting 20 minutes before also does the trick. Plus he said to take an additional snort of Afrin when I landed. Anytime I take Afrin I always say that my nose is having a party because I can actually breathe thru it. Just have to be careful with it because if you use it more than 3 days it actually starts doing the reverse and your nose gets all stopped up. I usually try to put it somewhere I can’t get to easily as it’s so tempting to keep using it.

The afrin is amazing but I'll only ever do it at night so I can sleep, traveling is the worst because if the place is musty I'm struggling.

Dr just put me on Xhance and it's amazing, this is the first year in ages I am not on antibiotics by now, it's very $ but they have a special coupon they run with it so it ended up minimal expense.