I have just returned today from a 4 hour airfare trip. I have been vacationing and had a lot of allergy symptoms (productive cough, runny nose, just not feeling great - but not real bad, either). I typically do not have any ear problems when flying, but this time when my ears started to close up, I tried my regular yawn and swallow techniques, but my nose and ears just never would open up. It was bad during take off, better after awhile up in the air, but HORRIBLE upon landing. My right ear ached tremendously, my right eye felt like it was going to burst out of my head and my right eye brow was throbbing with pain. I noticed that I had a bloody discharge when I blew my nose. Now I still have the blocked right side of my head (feels like I am talking in a tunnel) and bloody mucus when I blow my nose.
I think it is a sinus infection but worry my ear may be damaged.