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Is It Safe To Have Flight Journey While Suffering From Ear Infection?

Posted on Wed, 15 Jul 2015

Question: Had ear pressure come on all of a sudden on XXXXXXX 16th after being ill a couple days before. Doc diagnosed me with an ear infection in right ear on XXXXXXX 19th. Have been taking Amoxcillin/Clavulanate 875mg tablets for 10 days/twice a day. I was also given Nasonex to use once a day in each nostril and told to take Claritin as well. I dont take sudafed often (due to high blood pressure). My pressure has gone down a lot, but when I do certain things like eat, or drink or yawn that one ear is still trying to pop (which before there was so much pressure I couldn't do that). I am about to fly in 13 days and was wondering if I would still be able to do so? I am not worried about pain on a flight. I'm more concerned about damaging my ear drum somehow. I have not had any procedures done on my ears.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Use xylometazoline nasal drops...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

I have gone through your query thoroughly and understood your problem. I'll try my best to help you with this.

1. You still seem to have congestion around the Eustachian tube ( the tube connecting nose and the ear), hence flying would be slightly risky. Due to the pressure variation while flying you may land up in barotrauma of the ears.

2. Do not worry! The remedies for the present problems are:
a). Drink plenty of warm water.
b). Do steam inhalation for 2 minutes at least 2-3 times a day.
c). Use xylometazoline or oxymetazoline nasal drops, 3 drops in each nostril, one hour before the flight journey.
d). Continue with nasonex
e). Avoid smoking/ fizzy drinks/chilled food and beverages and coffee.

Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (39 minutes later)

Thanks! Can I take both the nasal drops and nasal spray that I have been taking, together? Should I start the nasal drops today or should I just wait until the day of my flight. Also, do silicone ear plugs help any with pressure? This is a very important trip, so trying to improve things the best way I can!

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please don't combine both the medicines...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back.

1. Xylometazoline nasal drops should be used one hour before the flight journey. I don't recommend you to use it now. It would be better to continue the use of nasonex as your symptoms are getting better.

2. Xylometazoline is strongly recommended before the flight journey, because, it helps in nasal decongestion and opening of the Eustachian tube.

3. Do not use both the nasonex and Xylometazoline together as it causes severe dryness of the nasal mucosa.

4. Finally, do not use silicon ear plugs. It's not of much benefit. Wearing this you may struggle to equalize the tube.

Hope this clarifies your doubts.

Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Ok, thank you. Would it be ok to use Sudafed PE or another decongestent (store brand) even though I have slight elevated blood pressure? I am currently taking propranolol 10mg (twice a day to regulate blood pressure) and Diamox (once a day for pseudotumor). If my ear hasn't popped by the day of the flight, can I still take the nasal drops and would they help to make the flight more bearable? Also, is nasal spray ok, rather than nasal drops? Any other suggestions to keep my eardrum from rupturing on the flight, etc. (Gum chewing, yawning, etc.)

Regarding barotrauma -- if that did occur, would that eventually heal or will there be permanent damage?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid oral decongestants...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

1. It's wiser to use nasal decongestant rather than a systemic decongestant. As your problem is only limited to the nose and the ear, local sprays or drops would be much safer. We need not treat the entire body at a time when you are having elevated blood pressure.

2. Yes, you can definitely use nasal spray instead of nasal drops. In that case, use 1 puff in each nostril one hour before the flight journey.

3. Yes, you can try popping your ears by all those methods mentioned by you. But, be gentle, don't force yourself too much, it can damage the inner ear.

4. Barotrauma is a temporary injury, which gets corrected over a period of time.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good luck.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (3 hours later)

Thank you! Also, would the nasal spray be ok to take with the medications I'm on and would there be any use of ear drops for my ears or would that cause more harm? I remember in the beginning trying to put some OTC ear drops in and it seemed to irritate them more. So I haven't tried ear drops for over a week now.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid ear drops... Xylometazoline can be safely used...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

It's absolutely safe to use the Xylometazoline nasal spray along with other medicines. The former will augment the effects of other medicines.

Please don't use any ear drops.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E