Flying with an ear infection? Not a good idea!
Flying can be a physical challenge for children. Recognize the symptoms of a middle ear infection and avoid health problems during the flight.
Middle ear infections affect both children and adults, although children are more frequently affected. Around 80% of children get middle ear infections at least once in the first 3 years of life, and 45% of them even up to three times. Flying with a middle ear infection can be dangerous. Many parents fear that their sick child's eardrum could rupture or cause severe pain when flying. In this guide, we give you helpful tips on how to avoid potential problems during a flight.
Is flying with a middle ear infection risky?
When an airplane takes off and lands, the ambient pressure rises sharply, causing a large pressure difference between the outer ear and the inner ear. Normally, the Eustachian tube equalizes this pressure difference. You can help to equalize the pressure by yawning, sucking a sweet, chewing gum or swallowing. Another method is the Valsalva method: close your mouth, hold your nose shut and try to breathe out through your nose. To help equalize the pressure in your child, you can breastfeed, give them a pacifier or bottle or offer them something to chew.
Otitis media affects the Eustachian tube, which can cause painful pressure sensations when flying. It also impairs the ability of the Eustachian tube to equalize the pressure difference when flying. If the accumulated pressure is too great, the eardrum can rupture.
Flying with a middle ear infection: 4 possible scenarios
If your child suffers from a middle ear infection or wears tympanostomy tubes, the following scenarios should be considered:
- External middle ear infection (swimmer's ear): This inflammation affects the ear canal behind the eardrum. Flying is usually possible as the pressure equalization works. Symptoms may include swelling, frequent crying due to pain and hypersensitivity when touching the ear.
- Serous or mucous otitis media: Seek advice from your pediatrician's office. This type of middle ear infection causes fluid to build up behind the eardrum. Symptoms are difficult to recognize as it is not an infection with pain or fever. A child with this type of middle ear infection may experience hearing loss. If the eardrum has already been opened (e.g. by the doctor), flying is possible. Otherwise you should refrain from flying.
- Acute otitis media (OMA): This is an infection of the inner ear with pus accumulating behind the eardrum. The symptoms are very painful. We advise against flying in this condition. Do not fly until two weeks after the end of treatment.
- Transtympanic ventilation tubes (tympanic tubes): These tubes allow air exchange between the inner ear and outer ear and prevent chronic middle ear infections. Pressure equalization usually works without any problems.
If you are planning a flight and you or your child have symptoms of a middle ear infection, consult a doctor. And read more helpful tips in our article Flying with a baby.
Our tip: As middle ear infections are often caused by contaminated water, good ear hygiene is important, especially if your children swim a lot. Use an ear cleaning spray or cotton buds, but don't go too deep into the ear canal and only clean the visible part of the ear.
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