What Causes Pressure In Ears After Blowing Nose?

Posted on Tue, 2 Dec 2014

Question: I have a head cold and last night I blew my nose and my ear popped. I didn't think much of it until I woke up at 2:00 AM and my right ear really hurts. What should I do?? I took some ibuprofen, but it sill is uncomfortable and I can feel the pressure in my ear.

Also, I did a neti pot nasal rinse last night. I am wondering if it would be bad or good to do it again.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube block or otitis media...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

Ear block during an attack of cold is common, due to blockage of the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear).

The earache could be due to the following reasons:
1. Negative pressure created inside the middle ear following flu.
2. Acute infection of the middle ear.
3. Pressure induced trauma to the Eustachian tube when you tried to pop up your ears.

A complete evaluation of the ear and the nose is required to find out the actual cause of the problem.

My sincere advice to you is:
1. Do steam inhalation - this will relieve the nasal congestion as well as the ear block.
2. Drink plenty of warm water - it augments the work of no.1.
3. Use saline nasal spray to clear the nasal secretions and decongest the nose.
4. Continue with ibuprofen.
5. Try taking oral decongestants available OTC.
6. Avoid smoking/chilled food & beverages

With the above measures you should definitely feel better. If the symptoms do not improve in a couple of days or earache worsens, please consult your doctor.

Hope I have answered your query;I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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. Vaishalee Punj