Ear infection on holiday and flying Friday!

[Jaffa1989]

Hi all. I wondered if someone could give me some positive advice 😭 I flew last Friday on our family holiday to Spain whilst recovering with a cold. The evening of Friday I was in pain all night and was diagnosed with an ear infection Saturday morning. I’ve been on antibiotics and ear drops since then which has stopped the pain and brought the swelling down. My only concern now is my ear is still blocked. I can still fully hear out of it but it crackles and feels full without pain. I’m flying back on Friday and haven’t an option to change this. The doctor said I would be fine but I wondered if anyone had any experience? Seems the infection has gone but the ear is still blocked! Thanks.

It will probably help the blocked feeling!

My son has had a chronic ear infection for months, and he has had to fly regularly for work. Hasn't caused him any problems.

I’ve flown with blocked ears before - it was absolute agony (was nearly in tears upon landing!), I felt like my head was going to explode. Not sure if you’ll be able to get them in Spain but Earplanes are lifesavers and will enable you to fly a lot more comfortably. I personally wouldn’t get on a plane without them in your situation and always take them with me nowadays when travelling

@TheBelleOfBelfastCity I actually found a version of these at a Spanish supermarket! So not the actual ones but similar shape etc so will defo use. Luckily I only have one blocked ear so hoping it will be bearable. I just don’t know what you’re supposed to do! I can’t just not fly home unfortunately it’s so stressful!

@ILoveMyCaravan this sounds like a dream and I’m hoping this is the case!! Thanks for replying!

Bump

Are you taking any decongestant? Should be able to buy some Sudafed (get one with pseudoephidrine) or something over the counter which might help.

@overindulged i actually stopped taking them whilst I was on my antibiotics but I am going to start taking them again today as fly tomorrow morning and ear still blocked!

I second the sudafed. I have blocked ears regularly, (chronic health issue) the pharmacist recommended it for flying, there's not a lot else you can do for it unfortunately

@Whatever123456789 thank you for replying! Have popped a decongestant and hopefully tomorrow isn’t too awful 🙏

I would keep pouring olive oil into the ear. You’ve probably got impacted wax as well as infection.

@aodirjjd thank you! Have read about this will give it a go!

Go to the chemist

@Maddy70 lol thanks I have already done that as mentioned in my post I’m just looking for some reassurance.

I just wanted to come on here and update as I know I looked for outcomes post flight. I ended up taking a decongestant and ibuprofen an hour before my flight and then paracetamol an hour prior to decent. I also wore ear planes and chewed gum almost the whole time and I had zero pain throughout. I do still have a blocked ear with some tinnitus but will look to get this checked at home at some point!