5 Ways to Overcome Clogged Ears After a Flight

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - You feel your ears clogged, stuffy after a flight. This condition may last for several hours.

Basically, clogged ears after flying is normal. This occurs due to changes in air pressure on the ground and in the plane. As for speeding up the process, there are safe and natural methods designed to clean the ear canal and drain fluid from the ear.

This technique is also useful for colds or sinus infections that are clogging the ears several hours before a flight and want to avoid potentially painful clogged ears. Here are 5 ways to deal with it:

1. Valsalva maneuver

Close your mouth, close your nostrils and blow gently. This will even out the pressure in the ear canal, but be careful not to blow too hard to avoid damaging the eardrum.

2. Toynbee maneuver

The Toynbee maneuver works similarly to the Valsalva maneuver because it equalizes the pressure in the ear. The method is to pinch your nose and take a few sips of water to make swallowing easier.

3. Olive Oil or Hydrogen Peroxide

This technique helps open the ear canal by softening and removing earwax. Add warm olive oil or hydrogen peroxide to the ear dropper and lie down with the affected ear facing up. Apply 3-5 drops of liquid to the blocked ear and hold it in this position for 5-10 minutes. Then move the painful side of the ear down and wait for the earwax to come out (make sure the towel is stuck to the ear).

Once finished, use a cotton ball or tissue to absorb the fluid in your ear canal. This technique can be used 3 times a day for up to 7 days.

4. Warm compress

Soak a washcloth in warm water and wring out the water. Place the cloth over the ear and let it stay there for five to ten minutes to start draining the fluid in the ear.

5. Breathe warm water vapor / Steaming

Boil water in a saucepan and transfer it in a large bowl. Make a tent out of a towel, cover yourself and the bowl. Inhale the steam to loosen mucus and dirt in the ears.

If needed, a few drops of tea tree or lavender oil can be added to the water to reduce pain and inflammation. Inhale until you feel the ear canal begin to open. Alternatively, take a shower for 10 minutes.

If you have clogged ears during flight and want immediate relief from the pain, ask the flight attendant for a tea bag and two cups (one empty and one full of hot water). Dip the tea bag into a cup of hot water, then transfer the tea to an empty cup, keeping the tea bag and some water in the first cup. Hold that first cup to your ear, the tea bag will lock in the heat from the water and the steam from the tea bag will reduce the pain in the ear.

JESSYCA GAZELLA | TRAVEL AND LEISURE

Editor's Choice: Forbes' List of 10 Richest People in the World in January 2024

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News