What is ear congestion?
If your child has ear congestion, he will probably feel:
like his hearing is suddenly muffled
crackling or popping noises in the ear
a stuffy, full sensation in the ear
Your child will not have ear pain except in cases related to
airplane travel.
This type of ear congestion usually comes and goes.
What is the cause?
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.
How can I take care of my child?
Treatment
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.
Prevention of ear congestion due to altitude change
Have your child repeatedly "pop" the ears by yawning or
swallowing during the typical 30 to 60 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 with that 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).
When should I call my child's health care provider?
Call during office hours if:
