Kids' Health: Can We Fly When Our Child Has An Ear Infection?

You are getting ready for your family vacation, your child gets sick the day before and develops an ear infection, and you are dreading to cancel the trip you had for so long looking forward to. The good news is that you can fly when your child has an ear infection!

In the cabin, the pressurized air requires you to clear your ears by either chewing gum, yawning or drinking something. When a child has an acute ear infection, pus fills the middle ear space and eardrum cannot move. The pressure change may require the eardrum to pop to release the pressure, and that is okay, and it will not hurt.

It is more of a problem, when the ear infection is starting to clear up because then there is both air (normal) and fluid (not normal) in the middle ear. So, with the pressurized air, the eardrum tries to accommodate the pressure change and it is only partially successful so it will be painful.  A few tips to minimize the pain in this situation: (1) use decongestant nose spray, i.e., Neosynephrine, before takeoff and (2) let your child drink something during takeoff and landing. 

For the most part, you can treat pain of ear infections with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, etc.) Both are excellent pain relievers.

Below are some useful links about ear infections you may want to take a look at:

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/ears/earache.cfm

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/ear/otitis_media.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T081600.asp

So, now you know your child can fly if he/she has ear infection! However, as you know, it is highly recommendable you check with your family doctor/pediatrician first.

Your peace of mind makes traveling more enjoyable!

- The Moms' Buzz

source: Toddler 411

Comments

[Csara]

We flew when my little one had an ear infection. Of course we did not know until after the fact so we did not use decongestants or anything, but it was awful. Good tips - thank you!