Flying with sinus infection - help!

[amehh]

I'm flying at 6am tomorrow on my honeymoon and I've come down with a sinus infection. We have already left for the airport and my docs and midwives are closed now. I'm 10 weeks pregnant - can I possibly take sudafed just for the flight? Or has anyone taken it and been fine baby wise? I'm really panicked about my ear drums bursting and I'm in agony at the moment but I'm also worried about birth defects etc.

Someone help please!!!!

Nasal decongestants containing xylometazoline generally considered to be lower risk than phenylephrine-containing preparations which have been linked to some cardiac defects. So Otrivine spray, Sudafed spray both ok (but check the label to ensure it’s xylometazoline they contain). Steer clear of tablets as they act systemically whereas spray the effects are contained locally. (DOI: I’m a pregnant doctor prone to sinus problems!)

@NuffingChora thank you for the advice - will this help keep my ears clear? They've just bloody gone in the car and its horrid so I'm dreading the plane! I've only used saline spray so far which just isn't helping

I’m just coming out the other side of a sinus infection at 32 weeks pregnant and I feel for you it is AWFUL. It’s a defo no to decongestant tablets but you can have paracetamol. My doctor recommended a sinus rinse kit NeilMed (I got it in Boots) but you can mix up the salt/bicarb solution yourself at home (instruction on nhs web page) - it’s weird but it really helps ease the pressure for a while.

Also my midwife said steam and olbas oil is fine. I would definitely try a good steam before you leave and have some olbas oil with you (probably could buy at airport if there is a boots). Also a warm compress helped (not sure how long your flight is/if they could warm up a wheat bag for you on board but might be worth an ask/take a flannel to use as hot/cold compress for some relief.

Good luck! Really hope it gets better soon and you have an amazing honeymoon!

@amehh it’s all connected - your ears feel blocked because the lining of the Eustachian tubes is similar to the lining of the nose and sinuses and reacts in a similar way when you have sinusitis. Unblocking your sinuses with decongestants should also help you unblock your Eustachian tubes (as well as lots of swallowing/valsalva manouevres/sucking sweets etc etc!) - I completely sympathise though, it’s hell on earth on the plane when it happens. Other things I’ve found that help are applying firm pressure with an ice pack (or whatever you can cobble together from the galley kitchen!) to the forehead/cheeks/sides of nose, and I agree with PPs re. taking paracetamol, and steaming/nasal rinses (though space these out with the nasal spray as you don’t want to just wash it all away after you’ve taken it!)

Can you take beconaise? Thats what i use for sinus issues and what gp gave me