Flying with cold

[Elliejane]

Hi
We are due to fly tomorrow to Florida via another airport for our 2020 cancelled trip
Myself and my son started with a cold on Monday . I am quite congested and sneezing all the time . Not Covid .
There is no way my husband will agree to cancelling it for a cold as this is only time we could both get and kids doing exams .
I am worried about sore ears from flying the most . Will wear a mask to prevent spread

What would anyone do . Trip is too expensive too cancel and I don’t think insurance would cover a cold

Any ideas how to fly with less ear pain ? Worried my or my son ear drum burst

When I'm congested I wear the nasal strips (the type you wear across bridge of nose). Always help.

Take Sudafed, also chew airwaves chewing gum.. Both should help a lot. If not take a little bottle of Albus oil in your liquid bag and a facecloth. Add a couple of drops of oil on the facecloth. Ask the cabin crew to put a few drop of hot water on the facecloth and put it in a cup, then hold it under your airwaves during take off/landing. Ideally a cup with a lid so the scent doesn’t take over the whole cabin for the flight. And have a hoodie or fleece jumper so you don’t get cold if the air on is ferocious. And keep sanitising your hands.

Make sure you really really stay hydrated. I flew once without realising i was still ill from a bug I’d had, and I ended up fainting due to dehydration which comes on much faster in the cabin air pressure i dunno, some science, but basically, stay hydrated!

I'd suggest getting some Sudafed nasal spray for the congestion. It works very quickly.

I think it's pretty unlikely either of you will experience ear problems. DP has nasal polyps and an ear canal abnormality that make him very prone to ear troubles and congestion, and he's flown with a cold on numerous occasions without a problem.

Agree with others that masks and sanitiser would be a good idea out of consideration to other passengers. Something to chew might help, and make sure you drink plenty of water. Take some ibuprofen or paracetamol in case of headaches. But you should be fine!

Have a great holiday, cold or not!

Definitely wear. Mask. Its so unfair to others not to. I second taking sudafed

Thanks for all your replies . Cold was much better just a cough .
However despite taking decongestant tablets and spray and wearing ear planes my ears were sore on landing and now blocked and cracking and popping lots.

Tried to pop them and they clear briefly but the just start again crackling full feeling . Hearing bit muffled from one ear

Any advice ? Have another flight in 4 days as doing New York Florida joint holiday and then 2 flights home as no direct to Scotland 😩😩😩

10 years ago I had a condition called eustacian tube dysfunction. It lasted 9 mths .. just hoping it not back

If I was you, I would see a Doctor over there as you could have an ear infection and might need antibiotics.

Earplanes, a type of earplug for flying. Sorry just saw you used them already.

Can you get to a Walgreens? The range of meds you can buy without a prescription is vast compared to here. Given that you've had issues before I'm sure you'll have an idea of what might bring some relief

Don’t think it’s an infection . I pretty sure it the tubes are blocked up with combination of the cold and now flight with pressure although if gets worse will def see doctor

Will try pharmacy tomorrow morning. My son says his ears are the same after the flights and cold too.