Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Ways to quickly relieve the condition
• Method 2 of 3: Treating Medically Caused Ear Congestion
• Method 3 of 3: Removing Sulfur Plugs
• Tips

Ear congestion can be a feeling of pressure in the ears, accompanied by pain, dizziness, noise (ringing), and some hearing impairment. This condition is sometimes the result of a cold, allergy, or sinusitis. Also, the ears sometimes fill up due to pressure drops during flights, scuba diving or rapid changes in altitude. Fortunately, ear congestion can usually be relieved by relieving excess pressure in the ears. If this does not help, you will need to deal with medical problems or remove the sulfur plugs.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Ways to quickly relieve the condition

1. 1 Swallow to open the auditory tubes. Swallowing uses the same muscles that control the eustachian tubes, which can help them open. You will most likely hear something like a click when they open.
   • To make it easier for you to swallow, try sucking on the lollipop.
   • If you are flying with a small child, give him a pacifier or bottle to swallow occasionally.
2. 2 Yawn. Similar to swallowing, yawning involves the muscles that control the auditory tubes. This makes them open up. Yawning is even more effective than swallowing, but some people have a slightly harder time deliberately causing it.
   • If you have stuffy ears on the plane, try to yawn more often during takeoff and landing.
3. 3 Chew gum. Chewing gum also works your muscles and allows your ear tubes to open. Chew the gum until you hear a click of the opened pipes.
4. 4 Release the air slowly through your nose. Take a deep breath. Close your mouth and close your nostrils almost completely. Then exhale slowly through your nose. Wait for a click in your ears, which will indicate a successful result of the procedure.
   • This technique is not always effective. If you've tried it once or twice without success, it's best to try something else.
   • When flying, follow the above steps during takeoff and landing to keep your ears from getting blocked.
5. 5 Use a nasal washer to clear your sinuses. This device can flush the sinuses and relieve sinus symptoms, including congestion in the ears. Fill the device with a special sterile solution or distilled water. Tilt your head 45 ° and bring the nose of the device to your upper nostril. Slowly pour the solution into the upper nostril, allowing it to flow out of the lower nostril.
   • Blow your nose and then repeat on the other nostril.
   • Rinsing the nose dissolves mucus and flushes it out along with irritants that may have entered the nasal passages.
   • Carefully follow the instructions for the nasal rinser you are using to avoid accidentally inhaling liquid.
6. 6 Breathe over the steam to open your nasal passages. Pour boiling water into a large bowl, then place a towel over your head. Bend your face over the bowl. Begin breathing slowly through your nose to help the steam dissolve the mucus and make it pass. If mucus gets into your mouth, spit it out.
   • Try adding tea or herbs to the water for inhalation. Decoctions of some herbs, such as chamomile, have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, making them a great addition to steam inhalation.
   • Hot showers, a sauna, or a humidifier can also help.
   • Do not place the steam source near your ears, as steam can sometimes be too much hot.
   • Be careful not to lean too low over the steam, or the steam may burn your face.

Method 2 of 3: Treating Medically Caused Ear Congestion

1. 1 Use nasal decongestants for colds, allergies, and sinusitis. Ear congestion is often the result of sinus congestion, as the auditory tubes run from the back of the nasopharynx to the middle ear. Because nasal decongestants can help relieve nasal congestion, they can also help relieve congestion in the ears.
   • Nasal decongestants are available over the counter. If you need a specific brand of product, but you do not see it on display at the pharmacy, ask your pharmacist if it is available.
   • Stop using decongestants after three days, unless your doctor advises you to continue with your treatment.
   • It is best to check with your doctor before using decongestants, especially if you are taking other medications or have hypertension, glaucoma, or prostate problems. Likewise, children should not be treated with decongestants without consulting a doctor.
2. 2 Use topical nasal steroids. Nasal steroids can help relieve the swelling of the nasal passages that causes congestion. This will relieve congestion in the nose and ears alike.
   • Do not use steroid medications without first consulting your doctor.
   • These drugs can be dispensed over the counter or prescription.
   • They are especially helpful for those with allergies.
3. 3 Take antihistamines if you have allergies. If the allergy is left untreated, ear congestion can occur, as this can irritate the sinuses, which initially leads to nasal congestion. Taking antihistamines daily can help manage unwanted symptoms. There are a number of such over-the-counter products available, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), and fexofenadine hydrochloride (Allegra).
   • Talk to your doctor before taking antihistamines or if over-the-counter medications are not working for you.
   • When flying, you can take an antihistamine an hour before your flight to prevent unnecessary pressure build-up in your ears.
   • Carefully read the instructions for the drug and the warnings contained in them before you start taking it.
4. 4 See your doctor for severe and persistent ear pain. The above self-help methods should give you relief in a matter of hours. If this does not happen, you should see a doctor. If left unchecked, ear congestion can lead to hearing impairment. In addition, infectious inflammation can develop.
   • See a doctor right away if you develop a fever or discharge from your ears.
   • Take all medicines prescribed by your doctor, especially antibiotics. Otherwise, symptoms may recur.
   • Your doctor may prescribe pain-relieving ear drops for you.
5. 5 If your ears are often blocked, ask your doctor to ventilate your auditory tubes. Your doctor may place special tubes in your ears to drain fluid from your ear canals and relieve excess pressure in your ears. This procedure is usually done when the ears are often blocked.
   • Most often, this procedure is done to children who often suffer from ear inflammation. This reduces the incidence of infections and promotes a comfortable recovery for the child.

Method 3 of 3: Removing Sulfur Plugs

1. 1 Tilt your head to one side. The problem ear should be at the top, and the other at the bottom. It will be more comfortable for you to lie down or use a pillow under your head.
2. 2 Place 2-3 drops of water, saline, or hydrogen peroxide in your ear. It is best to use a dropper to avoid accidentally dropping more liquid than needed. It doesn't matter which remedy you choose, as they are all effective. However, saline and peroxide are sterile, so they are less likely to provoke an infectious inflammation if they linger somewhere in the ear.
   • Do not inject any liquid into your ear if you may have an ear infection or a damaged eardrum.
3. 3 Wait at least a minute for the liquid to flow into the ear and dissolve the wax. One minute will be enough for this.
   • Do not wait more than a few minutes, as the liquid may seep too deep into your ear.
4. 4 Tilt your head to the other side to allow the dissolved wax to drain. Dissolved wax will drain from the ear due to gravity. You can place a towel under your ear to catch drops.
   • If you are lying down, just roll over to the other side.
   • Alternatively, you can use a rubber bulb to suck up the dissolved sulfur.
5. 5 See your doctor if the above steps do not relieve your ear congestion. Lor will examine your ears to make sure the sulfuric plug is the problem. If necessary, he can use more effective methods of removing plugs.
   • If you tried to remove sulfur plugs with cotton swabs, you could accidentally condense the wax. The doctor will help you in this case too.

Tips

• Do not treat children with over-the-counter drugs without first consulting a doctor. Inflammation of the ears is quite common in children, and if symptoms appear, you should see a doctor, as more serious treatments may be required.
• Do not take antihistamines or decongestants for more than one week without a doctor's recommendation.
• Do not fly or scuba dive if you have a cold or sinusitis.
• Use earplugs with sound filters while flying to avoid ear congestion.