Glue Ear and Flying

[Smeeo]

I am a 20 year old female who has been suffering from terrible ear and throat pain for the past few days, so today I attended a GP appointment and was informed that I have Glue Ear, which is now being treated with a decongestant and an antibiotic...
The only issue is that I am due to fly back to the UK tomorrow to attend university, it isn't a long flight (about an hour), but I'm worried about the negative effects this may have on my ears.

Would it be relatively safe to fly?

Thank You

[1BlueJay]

You've probably already landed a couple days ago - but your condition is not uncommon, given how many people fly with colds and sinus infections! My own suggestion for future would be to do a nasal rinse nightly the minute you are in contact with other sick people. Continue even during the early stages of your own cold, but do NOT do the rinse if it has progressed to stuffy nose/sinus infection point without seeing your doctor first. I have very narrow Eustacian tubes, so I am prone to ear pain and pressure. I often chew gum on flights - keep the mouth moving, yawn, and even gently hold your nose while blowing out to clear the ears. But you should NOT try clearing your ears if they are stuffed up with a bad cold. For that, you'd need the antihistamines, antibiotics or something to reduce the stuffiness first.

[Herbert Silverstein, MD, FACS]

You sbould not fly with a cold if possible. If you must get afrin and 60 my sudafed over the counter And take one hour before landing. Try
To pop your ears as plane goes down You may have paIn on landing but should not. Cause damAge. See ear specialist. You ear should be fine in 2 weeks