What to do if you have an ear infection before a flight?

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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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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Two common recommendations: 12-hour or 24-hour Sudafed or Afrin nasal spray. If you opt for the nasal spray, give yourself a spray 30 minutes before takeoff and again about 30 minutes prior to descent.

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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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If at all possible, it's best to avoid flying when you or your children have an ear infection or a sinus infection.

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While there is no scientific proof that earplugs actually help with in-flight ear pain, anyone who feels like they are a benefit should continue to use them to relieve their pain. Some other effective methods of reducing pressure include swallowing, yawning, blowing your nose, and chewing gum.

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Your doctor might suggest you take:
  • Decongestant nasal sprays.
  • Oral decongestants.


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Can a patient have irrigation prior to flying? Yes, flying is not a contraindication to ear irrigation. Once the wax has been removed, you should advise the patient to keep their ears dry for 2-3 days to allow the ear canal to produce more wax, which is its natural protection.

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Ear Pressure : * Pinch the soft part of your nose and blow the air out threw your ears. It will help to release ear Pressure. This can also be done without pinching the nose and just trying to blow the air through nose without inhaling.

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In that case, it's best not to fly since it can increase the severity of your symptoms and, worst-case scenario, cause physical injury or lasting damage such as tinnitus and hearing loss.

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Do what you can to avoid “airplane ear”
  1. Swallowing. Swallowing opens the Eustachian tubes. ...
  2. Yawning. Yawning also opens the Eustachian tubes and is actually more effective than chewing gum.
  3. Staying awake. You don't swallow as often when you're asleep, so be sure to stay awake during takeoff and landing.
  4. Using decongestants.


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And a complimentary bag of pretzels doesn't help any of these issues, but a quality pair of headphones can improve the experience of flying. Earbud earplugs can relieve some discomfort associated with flying while delivering a world-class auditory experience.

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Ear barotrauma (airplane ear) happens when your middle ear is affected by sudden changes in air and/or water pressure. Those pressure changes may happen if you're flying in an airplane, riding an elevator, diving to the bottom of a pool or scuba diving.

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If you're awake during ascents and descents, you can do the necessary self-care techniques when you feel pressure in your ears. Reconsider travel plans. If possible, don't fly when you have a cold, a sinus infection, nasal congestion or an ear infection.

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