Flying with ear infection?

Question

I'm going on holiday tomorrow, i have had an ear infection this past week. I searched on google what would happen if i fly like this, most of the answers are don't fly etc, but my DR and the hospital have both agreed it will be fine to fly can anybody give me some advise?

Answer 1

A hard sweet would be ok for relieving preassure. I got one when I was 6 and flying over to Australia from England. (A HArd Sweet as in Barley Sugar or the exquivalent, something you can suck on).

If you Doctor has okayed you flying, then you should be ok to go...

Answer 2

If you have one use a netti pot before flying. Bring a saline spray for your nose. Both of these help to keep the Eustachian tubes in your ears open and draining so the are not badly affected by the pressure changes.

Take an over the counter anti histamine before you fly like a  Dephinhydramine (benadryl) which will also put you to sleep. I'm not sure about other anti histamines in the UK, check with a chemist.

Answer 3

The main concern flying is that your ear and eustachian tube are clear and not blocked, and there is no fluid in there.  When you gain altitude, the air pressure decreases, and to be able to equalize pressure, you would need those clear.  If you have gotten clearance from the doctor, then you should be good to fly without any problems.  I suggest you chew gum on take-off, until you get to cruise altitude, and then once the descent begins until you land.  You can also try what's called a valsalva maneuver to clear the ears if you need to.  That's done by closing the mouth, holding the nose and blowing gently as if you were trying to actually blow your nose.  Done properly, you should feel both eardrums "pop".  You can do this as often as you need to during flight, to relieve the pressure sensation if you get one.  Commercial airline flights are pressurized to help you avoid this problem, but sometimes a slight cold on the ground can still translate to some discomfort while flying.  But after a week, you should be okay to fly.  Just take the gum and be prepared.  I learned this as a flight medic in the AF, and this is what we told folks and did for them.  It will work for you as well.

Answer 4

Buy these special ear plugs called "ear planes". Might be one or two words, can't remember.

Put them in during the takeoff and landing, and even leave them in during the flight, and they balance out your ears so they don't pop :)