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How Long Does Blocked Ear While Suffering From Cold Take To Resolve?
Question: Hey dr,
I have had a cold since Monday now and since then I have had this blocked ear but there has been no pain at all. I usually get them with colds and sometimes there is pain but there has been none. Would it be best to leave it and let it unblock with time? I have already tried decongestants and nasal spray but it only seems to unblock it a bit. Do you think it would unblock it self after the cold has run its course or should I see a doctor? Also how many days can you have decongestants for? I have been having Demazin during the day which has phenylephrine and Cold/Flu tablets at night that contain pseudoephedrine and pandol at night since thats when its worse. Is it bad to have them for too many days in a row should I stop them and see if I can cope without for a day or so? The cold does seem to be getting better as of today.
I have had a cold since Monday now and since then I have had this blocked ear but there has been no pain at all. I usually get them with colds and sometimes there is pain but there has been none. Would it be best to leave it and let it unblock with time? I have already tried decongestants and nasal spray but it only seems to unblock it a bit. Do you think it would unblock it self after the cold has run its course or should I see a doctor? Also how many days can you have decongestants for? I have been having Demazin during the day which has phenylephrine and Cold/Flu tablets at night that contain pseudoephedrine and pandol at night since thats when its worse. Is it bad to have them for too many days in a row should I stop them and see if I can cope without for a day or so? The cold does seem to be getting better as of today.
Brief answer....just wait for few days more
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
Normally such type of plugged ears caused by cold are only a temporary problem which gets resolved of its own without any proper treatment but if symptoms extend for a longer duration,then you may need to see a doctor.
Your blocked ears are due to development and entrapment of fluids in your eustachian tubes.
Treatment involves use of oral decongestants and nasal anti histaminic sprays ,the way you are doing it.
You continue using them as there is no harm in it.
In addition do the following...
Take steam inhalation
Try forcibly open Your eustachian tubes by taking a deep breath and try to blow out while pinching your nostrils closed and closing your mouth. You would hear a popping sound on its opening.
Use gravity to your advantage by lying on your side with head resting on pillow.
Keep lying for an hour or so. This way fluid may get pulled out.
In case you don't get any relief in next 3-4 days,you can consult an ENT doctor who can then help in draining out the fluid by putting a ventilation tube in your eardrum.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
Normally such type of plugged ears caused by cold are only a temporary problem which gets resolved of its own without any proper treatment but if symptoms extend for a longer duration,then you may need to see a doctor.
Your blocked ears are due to development and entrapment of fluids in your eustachian tubes.
Treatment involves use of oral decongestants and nasal anti histaminic sprays ,the way you are doing it.
You continue using them as there is no harm in it.
In addition do the following...
Take steam inhalation
Try forcibly open Your eustachian tubes by taking a deep breath and try to blow out while pinching your nostrils closed and closing your mouth. You would hear a popping sound on its opening.
Use gravity to your advantage by lying on your side with head resting on pillow.
Keep lying for an hour or so. This way fluid may get pulled out.
In case you don't get any relief in next 3-4 days,you can consult an ENT doctor who can then help in draining out the fluid by putting a ventilation tube in your eardrum.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for detailed response much appericated. I had one other question as well I have tickets booked for music artist at a club on Saturday night if my cold symptons feel much better but I still have a blocked ear would going make it worse and would it be ok to drink alcohol that night but not to an excess?
Hello,
You can definitely go to music concert if you feel good and also it won't worsen your condition.
You can go ahead with few drinks but,off corse,avoid ice.
Thanks
You can definitely go to music concert if you feel good and also it won't worsen your condition.
You can go ahead with few drinks but,off corse,avoid ice.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thats good news! :) One other thing can I have Demazin cold/flu syrup or Pandol before I went out that night thats if needed it or after I come back if I had alchool?
Hello,
Although should not make difference but considering the fact that sometimes bizarre or unexpected thing crop up,it would be better to avoid the medicine on that night.
Thanks
Although should not make difference but considering the fact that sometimes bizarre or unexpected thing crop up,it would be better to avoid the medicine on that night.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sounds good I will avoid it on the night, one last thing I forgot to mention when I go into an environment at work that has heavy air con I seem to get a scratchy throat and dry cough and its been like that since I got my cold on Monday and I had a sore throat for two days and it went away but now every time I go to work the aircon gives me a scratchy throat but it goes away after a while once I have left. Is this normal when having a cold and being in air con it seems to be irratation to my throat and is there any good remedies for a scratchy throat and dry cough?
Hello,
Nothing important. It would go away once cold virus is cleared from your system.
You can do warm saline gargles twice a day for couple of days and in addition you can suck on some throat losenzes available as OTC products.
Thanks
Nothing important. It would go away once cold virus is cleared from your system.
You can do warm saline gargles twice a day for couple of days and in addition you can suck on some throat losenzes available as OTC products.
Thanks
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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