We are planning a trip and my 6 year old DD is really fretting about the flight. When we flew to Florida in February, her ears hurt her so bad that she was in tears during both ascent and descent. They also hurt for about an hour or so after landing. We tried chewing gum, drinking fluids, swallowing, holding her nose closed and blowing softly out and giving her benedryl to make her sleepy. The flight attendant even showed us a trick of rubbing your palms together until they get hot and then covering your ears. Nothing worked for her.

Because nothing has worked for her, is she someone who will always be in pain when flying? I am afraid that the pain is so intense for her that she will never fly again if this trip hurts too. Any ideas are greatly appreciated!!!

By Tink on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 06:47 pm:

I don't have any great ideas, but, before setting off for your trip, I would run to the ped. office and see if there is any fluid built up behind her ears. I know that it can be very painful. There doesn't have to be a infection to be pain during a flight. Maybe a dose of Motrin or Tylenol before the trip also. I hope someone else is able to be of more assistance.

By Sunny on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 06:47 pm:

There is a product called Ear Planes that are supposed to relieve ear pain and pressure when flying. I've never used them, but have heard good things about them.

By Livvy on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 07:04 pm:

My topic line should have said "ear pain", not "ears pain." Oops!!

Thanks for those suggestions Sunny and Tink. I am going to look into both!!

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 07:26 pm:

Definitely talk to your pediatrician. I would be very reluctant to recommend any over the counter medication without medical advice. She may have fluid buildup, blocked eustachian tubes (my son had this from scarring from ear infections) or another cause, and the wrong treatment could make things worse.

The problem, as you probably already know, is that there is a difference between the air pressure in the cabin and the air pressure in her inner ear, and the reason(s) for this are clearly a medical matter. Most of the time this pressure differential can be dealt with by yawning, chewing gum, swallowing hard - but clearly you tried all that and more for her the last time.

I would definitely recommend a visit to the pediatrician, preferably in the week before the flight.

By Emily7 on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 07:37 pm:

Take 2 styrofoam cups & have her cover her ears with them during take off & landing. Also have her chew gum at the same time.

By Texannie on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 07:40 pm:

Given that she had so much pain the last time y'all flew, I would take her to the peed and have her checked out.

By Children03 on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 09:17 pm:

Has she tried sucking on anything? I know she is six years old, but I have heard that sucking on a paci or a bottle really helps. I have any other suggestions.

By Livvy on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 01:52 pm:

I did call the ped and his two recommendations are a decongestant, which we tried before and it didn't work, and EAR PLANES!! (thanks Sunny!!!)

He says he's heard good things about them from other patients. I also called a friend who used to be a flight attendant and she heard that the ear planes work well too!! I am off to search for some that can be mailed here fast!!

Thanks for your ideas everyone!!!

By Sunny on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 02:41 pm:

Maybe a combination of decongestant and Ear Planes, just to be safe!

Have a great trip and let us know if it worked!

By Livvy on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 04:04 pm:

I will, thanks!!!