up in the ear

May 4, 2016 12:15 PM

How do I know when it's safe to fly after having an ear infection?

Monday morning, I visited my doctor for an earache. He prescribed amoxicillin and medicated ear drops, and gave me the go-ahead to fly that night. I canceled that flight just to be careful.

Two days later, my ear still feels clogged. I have a trip scheduled 24 hours from now that I would prefer not to delay. Is there any way for me to gauge if my ear has healed enough to fly tomorrow?

posted by roger ackroyd to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

Can you do a Valsalva maneuver? If yes, I would fly.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:18 PM on May 4, 2016

Your doctor cleared you to fly. What are you worried is going to happen? FWIW, I flew with my son and he had an ear infection and he was fine.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:20 PM on May 4, 2016 [1 favorite]

Your doctor seems confident that you won't rupture your eardrum. If you're feeling clogged, still, you will want to make sure you've brought adequate pain medication (which is to say, a lot) in case you get a lot of pain with the pressure changes.

I flew once with a hella bad ear infection and my doctor's permission. It was not an experience I would want to repeat again soon—but it was still better than staying in Nevada.
posted by BrashTech at 12:25 PM on May 4, 2016

You might add some decongestant too to help with swelling/pressure in your ears, but you should be fine.
posted by goggie at 12:26 PM on May 4, 2016 [1 favorite]

Can you go back to the doctor today or call them and see if they can give you a pain reliever?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:35 PM on May 4, 2016

Response by poster: What are you worried is going to happen?

I flew with a head cold last year and had a lot of ear pain, plus reduced hearing for a week.

Can you go back to the doctor today or call them and see if they can give you a pain reliever?

I can certainly try contacting him.
posted by roger ackroyd at 12:49 PM on May 4, 2016

If discomfort is your main concern, buy a bunch of gum to take with you on the flight. Chewing it can help with equalizing the pressure at altitude and take the pressure off the inner ear.
posted by Michele in California at 2:37 PM on May 4, 2016 [1 favorite]

Learn about ear clearing; the Valsalva is but one technique. Also, be careful with decongestants. If they wear off before the end of the flight you can get some discomfort on the descent.
posted by TedW at 2:40 PM on May 4, 2016 [1 favorite]

I've had to fly a lot with major congestion/ear infections/ear pain and I've found using ear plugs has been really helpful, particularly during landing. This is in addition to lots of decongestants. I also make sure to drink hot water on the plane and to breathe the steam to help keep things warm and moist.
posted by kendrak at 3:57 PM on May 4, 2016