Best tips to pop my ear?

[djc315]

It's been clogged or whatever for over 12 hours and is driving me insane!  My jaw is sore from trying to pop it so much

I have tried all my usual tricks (yawning, swallowing hard, blowing my nose) with no success.  I also tried a super hot shower this morning bc I'm not sure if it's related to my congestion/head cold.

[Deleted]

Chewing gum usually works for me.

[greencrayon]

Gum, swallowing liquids repeatedly, pulling on my earlobes and yawning at the same time... Good luck.

[asoctoberfalls]

Nasal spray.

Have you been sick or anything? I had a cold a month ago that led to a clogged ear. It took 3 weeks to unclog.

[Deleted]

I had one that wouldn't go away. I took mucinex and it helped. Besides that I have nothing.

[djc315]

asoctoberfalls yes - I have something going on - definitely congested. I also took a Claritin-D this morning, which I've been taking, hoping the decongestant will help. OMG @ 3 weeks, though. I would die.

[dcn]

Decongestants, Neti pot, nasonex etc on top of chewing gum etc. you could also try warm compresses.

I also had a clogged ear for three weeks after a sinus infection. It sucked so bad.

[undecidedowl]

Last time I had that happen, Mucinex helped.

[carolinagirl831]

Afrin, or netti pot. if that doesnt work, I'd see an ENT and make sure you don't have swimmer's ear or an infection

[ny96]

A capful of hydrogen peroxide, lie on the other side/ear for ten minutes, and then use a bulb syringe and warm water to clean out your ear. It usually works for me.

[ringstrue]

Valsalva maneuver. It makes me a little dizzy if I'm already really congested, but it helps gets things started for me.

I agree you probably also need decongestants.

[asoctoberfalls]

Jul 27, 2015 8:56:52 GMT -5 djc315 said:

asoctoberfalls yes - I have something going on - definitely congested. I also took a Claritin-D this morning, which I've been taking, hoping the decongestant will help. OMG @ 3 weeks, though. I would die.

Yuck. I hope it goes away faster for you than it did for me! I agree it is SERIOUSLY annoying. i went to urgent care the day it started because I thought I had an ear infection. He said it was not infected, just clogged, and there was really nothing they could do for it. He predicted it would take 2-3 weeks to clear up, and he was right on the money.

You DO get used to it after a few days so it's not quite as annoying.

[bearbaby]

Jul 27, 2015 9:32:41 GMT -5 ny96 said:

A capful of hydrogen peroxide, lie on the other side/ear for ten minutes, and then use a bulb syringe and warm water to clean out your ear. It usually works for me.

In addition to the above, pharmacies (Walgreens/CVS/etc) sell kits with the bulb syringe for your ear and a wax softener/etc.

I had a clogged ear once for a few days and it was maddening.  I spent an evening alternating sides with the wax drops (drop in, lay on side to keep in ear for 10/15 mins, then flip side to let ear drain onto towel/etc - gross, sorry) and the bulb syringe and it didn't immediately clear but did 'pop' the next day and I could hear again.

Good luck!

[tiptoetulips]

If mine gets like that I have to pinch my nose and blow rather hard until it pops it takes a bit to feel normal again don't do it a lot in a short period just let it sit

[meltoine]

Jul 27, 2015 10:10:43 GMT -5 tiptoetulips said:

If mine gets like that I have to pinch my nose and blow rather hard until it pops it takes a bit to feel normal again don't do it a lot in a short period just let it sit

I do this too. My SCUBA instructor taught me to do it during descent on a dive, and I use it all the time when I fly too. If it's really clogged I get a bit of a sharp pain when I do it, but it feels so much better afterwards.