When illness strikes, clogged ears are a common symptom, often accompanying colds, flu, and allergies. This sensation, ranging from mild pressure to muffled hearing, can disrupt daily life. While typically not a serious medical concern, understanding why ears clog and knowing safe relief methods can help. It also aids in recognizing when to seek medical attention.
Why Ears Clog When Sick
The primary reason ears feel clogged during an illness involves the Eustachian tubes. These narrow passageways connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, playing a role in draining fluid and equalizing air pressure within the ear. When you have a cold, flu, or allergies, the body’s immune response leads to inflammation and increased mucus production. This inflammation can cause the lining of the Eustachian tubes to swell, narrowing or even blocking them. The buildup of fluid and mucus behind the eardrum, unable to drain properly, creates a sensation of fullness or pressure. This blockage can also result in temporary muffled hearing, as the eardrum cannot vibrate as it should.
Safe Home Remedies for Relief
Several home remedies can alleviate the discomfort of clogged ears. Inhaling steam is a widely used method; the warm, moist air helps thin mucus and reduce inflammation in the Eustachian tubes. This can be achieved by taking a hot shower or leaning over a bowl of hot water with a towel draped over your head.
Simple actions like yawning or chewing gum encourage the Eustachian tubes to open and equalize pressure. Swallowing frequently also helps, as it activates the muscles that open these tubes.
A gentle Valsalva maneuver involves taking a deep breath, pinching your nostrils closed, and gently trying to exhale through your nose while keeping your mouth closed. This creates pressure that can help “pop” the ears, but it is important to do this gently to avoid injury. Applying a warm compress to the affected ear can offer relief and help reduce congestion.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many cases of clogged ears resolve on their own, certain symptoms indicate medical attention is necessary. If you experience severe ear pain, a fever, or notice any discharge from the ear, these could be signs of an ear infection or other complications. Persistent hearing loss that does not improve as other illness symptoms subside also warrants a doctor’s visit.
Dizziness or balance problems accompanying ear congestion should prompt a medical evaluation. If the clogged sensation or other ear symptoms persist for more than a few days, typically beyond a week or two, after your cold or flu symptoms have improved, consult a healthcare provider. These symptoms might suggest an underlying issue like impacted earwax, a middle ear infection, or ongoing Eustachian tube dysfunction requiring professional diagnosis and treatment.
Actions to Avoid
When dealing with clogged ears, it is important to know what actions to avoid. Never insert cotton swabs, bobby pins, or any other objects into your ear canal. This can push earwax or debris deeper into the ear, worsening the blockage, or potentially damage the delicate eardrum, leading to pain, bleeding, or even hearing loss.
Another practice to avoid is ear candling. This method involves placing a lit, hollow candle into the ear canal, claiming to draw out earwax. However, scientific evidence does not support these claims, and ear candling is unsafe. It carries risks, including burns to the ear or face, obstruction of the ear canal with candle wax, and even perforation of the eardrum.