How long should you wait to fly with an ear infection?

The best way to avoid any risks is to avoid flying until your symptoms resolve. With the right ear care, you can get personalized treatment that helps clear up your infection fast. Most ear infections take between three to five days to heal, but some may last longer.



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Since travelling by plane can be very uncomfortable when you have an ear infection, it is best to avoid flying whenever you are feeling ill. It is especially important if the ear infection is making it harder to clear your ears as this means you are more likely to experience problems.

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Visit a doctor before your flight to see if any treatment or medication is necessary. Take a decongestant or anti-inflammatory to reduce pain and blockage before a flight.

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“If you've got inflammation blocking your means of equalizing the pressure, that's going to hurt,” he said. That pain can continue even after your flight as inflammation prevents the pressure from equalizing, Adalja added. It can also lead to trouble hearing, vertigo, and in rare cases, damage to the eardrum, Wu said.

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