Tips to Help Ease Ear Congestion Caused By Allergies, Travelling, Sinus And More

Add as a preferred source on Google

Have you experienced clogged ears? You feel as if all you can hear is echoing or smudged sound, like a radio station trying to get some range, isn't it? That's nothing but ear congestion!

It occurs when the Eustachian tube becomes obstructed or does not function properly. The Eustachian tube is a small canal located between your nose and your middle ear. It helps to equalise the pressure in your middle ear [1].

Congestion of the ear can be caused by any condition affecting your sinuses, such as a cold, allergies, or sinus infection. Air travel or altitude changes can also cause Eustachian tube dysfunction [2].

Tips to Help Ease Ear Congestion

In this article, we will discuss some simple methods for removing ear congestion.

Identifying the cause of ear congestion is the first step to treating it. The following are some of the causes and treatments for ear congestion [3].

Remedies for sinus-related ear congestion

• Use a nasal decongestant to relieve congestion
• Take a deep breath and blow your nose gently
• Rinse your nasal passages with water or use an irrigation system
• If you suffer from nasal irritation, use a humidifier
• Do not expose yourself to tobacco smoke or other irritants
• Make sure that you drink plenty of water, especially at night, to thin your nasal mucus

Remedies for wax buildup-related ear congestion

• Put a few drops of olive oil or mineral oil into your ears to soften ear wax [4].
• An ear wax removal kit or over-the-counter drops may be used to remove the wax.
• Using an ear syringe and lukewarm water or a saline solution, clean the ear.

Remedies for ear congestion caused by fluid buildup

If you get water in your ear while showering or swimming, you may experience ear congestion. To remove water from your ear, follow these steps:

• Try jiggling or tugging on your ear lobe while tilting your ear toward your shoulder.
• Place the plugged ear downward while lying on your side.
• You should apply hydrogen peroxide ear drops and then lie down with your ear facing down for a few minutes.
• Place a hot compress on your side for 30 seconds, remove it for a minute, then repeat four or five times.
• To dry out the ear canal, use over-the-counter ear drops that contain alcohol.

How to manage ear congestion caused by allergies?

Taking allergy medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, can relieve ear congestion and other symptoms caused by allergies when mucus backs up and gets trapped in the Eustachian tube or middle ear. Contact your doctor if the ear congestion is causing discomfort [5].

What to do for ear congestion when you are travelling?

The rapid changes in air pressure during air travel, particularly during take-off and landing, cause stress on your middle ear and eardrum. During take-off and landing, you can avoid or relieve air-plane ear congestion by chewing gum or hard candy, swallowing, or yawning.

Alternatively, you may try the following [6]:

• While pinching your nostrils, gently blow your nose with your mouth closed - performing the Valsalva maneuver.
• As the pressure slowly equalises during take-off and landing, it is beneficial to wear filtered earplugs.
• If you are congested, take a nasal decongestant spray 30 minutes before takeoff and landing.
• Uncommon causes of ear congestion include Meniere's disease, cholesteatoma, acoustic neuroma, fungal infection of the external ear, serous otitis media, and disorders of the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint).

On A Final Note...

In the event that your ear congestion lasts more than two weeks or is accompanied by fever, fluid drainage, hearing loss, balance problems, and severe ear pain, you should consult a physician.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.