2023-04-24 13:01:10
How not to have an earache on a plane?
The inconvenience at the level of the ears, in the plane, comes from a take-off pressure variation, and even more on landing. It’s related to a fragility at the level of Eustachian tube. “When there is no problem with the Eustachian tube, explains Dr. Georges Dib, ENT at the Eure-et-Loir private hospital, Elsan, the balance happens on its own. On the other hand, when you feel an impression of clogged ears, or even pain, it is because the Eustachian tube does not balance the pressure in the middle ear. »
Simple and natural solutions exist so as not to have your ears blocked on the plane. The goal is to send air into the middle ear so that the eardrum returns to its original position. How to do ? “Just yawn, to chew gumto perform movements of swallowing »explains Dr. Dib.
You can also use external artifices that can be found in pharmacies: ” It is earplugs equipped with an anti-pressure filter », details the ENT doctor. These hearing protectors are placed in the ear canal before take-off and landing. They withdraw 5 minutes following returning to normal pressure.
A very simple “trick” to know also: “place a plastic cup over each ear, holding it firmlysuggests Dr. Dib. This is enough to rebalance the pressure. »
Barotraumatic otitis
In case of fragility of the eustachian tube, cold, and when the ears are clogged in the plane, we can trigger a forget the barotrauma. ” It’s regarding a middle ear inflammation and a complete blockage of the Eustachian tube, explains the ENT doctor. Barotraumatic otitis can even lead to small hemorrhages due to damage to the eardrum. She is very painful. »
Upon landing, it is important to consult a doctor without delay so that theforget the barotrauma doesn’t get worse. “Rapidly taken care of, barotraumatic otitis can be treated with a anti-inflammatory and a dnasal congestant, informs Dr. Dib. If it is not taken in time, it can become superinfected and require the prescription of an antibiotic. »
More rarely, barotraumatic otitis can lead to perforation of the eardrum. “The latter is rare in the plane, but more frequent in diving, informs Dr. Dib. The tympanic perforation heals in three weeks to a month, provided that no water enters the ear. When healing does not occur, surgery – tympanoplastie – is necessary. »
Can you fly with an ear infection?
If possible, it is strongly discouraged to do so. “Flying when you have an ear infection is likely to cause severe painsa superinfectionwarns the ENT doctor. However, if the otitis has declared itself 48 hours before the trip, a doctor has been consulted and treatment has been started, it is possible to fly. If otitis started the day before the trip, it is best to postpone it. »
In addition to the treatment of otitis, it is strongly advised to wear ear protection equipped with a pressure regulator filter which will relieve the ears during take-off and landing.
How long following an ear infection can you fly?
” It is necessary to count fifteen days for a treated ear infection to be completely curedwarns Dr. Dib. Therefore, and whenever possible, it is best to wait for complete recovery before considering air travel. »
Most often these are children who have the blocked ears on a plane and who develop an ear infection. The reason ? their Eustachian tube is shorter than that of adults. “This is why it is important during takeoff and landing to give a bottle of water or milk to the toddler, and to make the older child drink”, advises Dr. Dib. The risk, otherwise, is that the children will cry for a good part of the trip and that they will have pain because of their blocked ears.
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