This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition. Exención de responsabilidad en Español | Complete disclaimer
If your child has ear congestion, he will probably feel:
Your child will usually not have ear pain except in cases related to airplane travel.
Ear congestion usually lasts for a few hours or a few days at most. It may come and go. If the ear congestion lasts longer, it may be an ear infection.
The most common cause of ear congestion is fluid in the middle ear due to a cold, hay fever, or over-vigorous nose blowing. Sudden increases in barometric pressure, which occur in descent from mountain driving or airplane travel, also cause ear congestion.
Have your child chew gum, yawn frequently, and swallow while the nose is pinched closed. If he could have water in the ear canal from a recent shower or swim, help drain it with gravity by turning the side of the head down and gently pulling the earlobe in different directions. If he has hay fever he should also take his antihistamine medication. If your child is in pain, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It's OK for your child to swim.
Have your child repeatedly "pop" the ears by yawning or swallowing during the 15 to 30 minutes of descent in an airplane. If this fails, your child should try to blow his nose against closed nostrils. A baby can be given water to drink or a pacifier to suck on. The child should not sleep during descent.
Children who continue to have this problem should take an oral antihistamine and use a long-acting decongestant nasal spray 1 hour before travel.
If severe pain occurs despite these precautions, ask the flight attendant for a hot towel to place tightly over the opening of the ear (the heat will expand the air in the middle ear and relieve the pressure on the eardrum).
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