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How to treat ear congestion
Medically reviewed by Emelia Arquilla, DO — By Jamie Eske on January 28, 2021 Sinus-related ear congestion
Allergies
Elevation changes
Earwax impaction
Ear infections
Meniere's disease
Other causes
Contacting a doctor
Summary
Sinus-related ear congestion Share on Pinterestapomares/Getty ImagesConditions that lead to inflammation or congestion in the sinuses can also lead to ear congestion. Examples of conditions that affect the sinuses and the ears include:
sinusitis, or inflammation of the lining of the sinuses
allergiesinfections, such as the flu or a coldbacterial or viral sinus infectionssmoking or exposure to secondhand cigarette smokestructural abnormalities
Treatment
Treatments for sinus-related ear congestion vary, depending on the underlying cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most sinus infections resolve independently, without medical treatment.
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However, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics if a person has a bacterial sinus infection. Ear congestion related to sinusitis or viral infections, such as a cold or flu, will go away once the underlying condition or cause of inflammation resolves.
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Avoiding irritants and allergens that trigger sinusitis can also help relieve ear congestion. To manage the symptoms of sinus conditions and ear congestion, a person can:Breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower.Use a humidifier or vaporizer.Place a warm, wet towel over the nose and forehead.Use decongestants or saline nasal sprays.Take OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve pain and swelling.Perform nasal irrigation.
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AllergiesAllergic rhinitis, or nasal allergies, occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the environment, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander.A 2019 article notes that allergic rhinitis can also affect the ears. People with allergic rhinitis may experience:pressure inside the earear poppingdifficulty hearing
Allergic rhinitis can also lead to:sneezingrunny or stuffy noseitchy, watery eyesitchy mouth, nose, and throatdifficulty breathing through the nose
headache
Treatment
To relieve ear congestion that occurs due to allergies, a person can take allergy medications, such as decongestants and antihistamines.The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NICCIH) have found some evidence that suggests the following complementary treatments may help treat allergic rhinitis:
acupuncturenasal irrigationbutterbur herbal supplements
The NICCIH also list probiotics, honey, and pine bark extract as potential treatment options, but the results of current studies provide conflicting or weak evidence to support their efficacy.
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Elevation changes
Elevation changes can lead to ear-popping. This occurs when the air pressure outside the ear is different to the air pressure inside the eustachian tubes.
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The eustachian tubes are narrow canals that connect the middle ear to the upper throat and nasal cavity. Changes in air pressure occur during air travel, deep-sea diving, or whenever a person travels to higher or lower altitudes.
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Treatment
To relieve ear congestion due to elevation changes, a person can try:yawning or chewing gum during takeoff or landingwearing a filtered earbud that equalizes air pressureusing an OTC decongestant spray
If at all possible, a person should descend or ascend slowly to allow the eustachian tubes time to equalize the pressure in the middle ear. They can also try performing the Valsalva and Toynbee maneuvers.
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An older 2011 comparative study consisting of 35 volunteers found both maneuvers had a success rate of 51.7%. Learn more about how to safely pop the ears here. Valsalva maneuverTake a deep breath.Pinch the nose shut.Try to blow air gently through the nose while keeping the mouth shut.
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A person should be cautious when performing the Valsalva maneuver to avoid rupturing the eardrum. Toynbee maneuverPinch the nose closed.Close the mouth.Try swallowing. A person may find that it is helpful to swallow a mouthful of water.
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Earwax buildup
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a waxy substance that the ear canal produces. Having some earwax is good. It helps clean and protect the ear canal.
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However, too much earwax can lead to a condition called cerumen impaction. People with excess earwax or cerumen impaction may experience the following symptoms:difficulty hearingear discomfortitchinga feeling of fullness in the ear
tinnitus, or ringing in the earearachedizzinessear infectionear drainage
TreatmentIt is important to note that people should not perform ear candling. This is because it is ineffective and may cause injury.
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A person can use OTC earwax drops or earwax removal kits. People can remove excess earwax at home with the following tips:
Hydrogen peroxide ear drops
When using ear drops, it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging.
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Typically, a person inserts up to five drops in the ear once or twice per day. They can do this for 3–7 days. Learn more about hydrogen peroxide for earwax impaction here.
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Almond or olive oilAccording to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), a person can put two or three drops of almond or olive oil in the ear. They should do this twice per day for a few days.
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Over 2 weeks, the earwax should fall out of the ear, especially during sleep when a person is lying down. Irrigation
A person may prefer a healthcare professional to perform ear irrigation.
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However, they can perform an ear irrigation at home. Learn more about how to perform ear irrigation at home here.
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Ear infections
Ear infections can also lead to ear congestion. Ear infections occur when a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection develops in the middle ear.
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The infection leads to inflammation and fluid accumulation in the eustachian tube. Fluid buildup can cause a feeling of fullness or congestion in the ear.Anyone can get an ear infection. However, they are most common in children.
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Symptoms of an ear infection include:earache that worsens when lying down
feverdizzinessloss of balancedifficulty hearingheadache
Treatment
Some ear infections resolve on their own, without medical treatment. However, bacterial middle ear infections may require antibiotics.
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Plenty of rest and drinking clear fluids, such as water or tea, may help an ear infection heal faster. A person can use OTC medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve pain and fevers.
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Doctors can treat fungal ear infections with topical antifungal medications. They can also remove fungi with a small vacuum. This procedure is known as ear aspiration.
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Meniere’s disease
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that causes severe dizziness, or vertigo, tinnitus, and ear congestion. The symptoms of Meniere’s disease occur when fluid builds up in the labyrinth of the inner ear. The labyrinth consists of semicircular canals that help regulate balance, and the cochlea, which is responsible for hearing.The exact cause of Meniere’s disease remains unknown.
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However, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) state that people develop this disorder as a result of:infectionsallergiesautoimmune conditionsgenetics
Treatment
People can treat Meniere’s disease with prescription drugs, such as:meclizinediazepamlorazepamgentamicin injections
Alternative treatments for Meniere’s disease include:limiting salt intakelimiting caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol intakeair pressure treatment
cognitive behavioral therapysurgery to decompress the endolymphatic sac inside the inner ear
Other causes
Other causes of ear congestion include:Acoustic neuroma: This is a noncancerous tumor that develops on the nerves in the inner ear.Cholesteatoma: This is a benign skin growth that develops behind the eardrum.Serous otitis media: This is an infection of the cavity behind the eardrum.Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems: This includes a range of conditions that affect the joints in the sides of the jaw that open and close the mouth. TMJ disorders can occur as a result of abnormal jaw alignment, injury, or teeth grinding. When to contact a doctor
People can often treat ear congestion with home remedies and OTC medications.
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However, a person may want to speak with a doctor about their ear congestion if:their symptoms persist despite using at-home or OTC treatmentsthey develop a feverthey experience fluid drainage from the affected earthey experience dizziness or loss of coordinationthey have severe ear pain
Summary
Ear congestion can resolve on its own. Causes of ear congestion can include earwax compaction, changes in altitude, infections, and allergies. While some causes of ear congestion do not require medical intervention, people should contact a doctor if their symptoms persist or if they experience symptoms of a severe ear infection, such as:feverfluid drainagesevere ear painloss of appetite Last medically reviewed on January 28, 2021 Allergy
Ear, Nose, and Throat
Seasonal Allergy 8 sourcescollapsed Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.
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We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.
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You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Antibiotic prescribing and use in doctor's offices. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/index.htmlBhattacharya, S., et al.
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"Airplane ear" – A neglected yet preventable problem. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6779601/Earwax build-up. (2017).
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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/earwax-build-up/Ménière's disease. (2017).
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https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/menieres-diseaseGörür, K., et al. (2019). Treatment of otomycosis in ears with tympanic membrane perforation is easier with a paper patch.
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7032552/Greiwe, J. C., et al. (2019).
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Allergic mixed rhinitis: Diagnosis and natural evolution. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6912750/Seasonal allergies at a glance. (2019).
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https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glanceSevy, J. O., et al. (2020).
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Cerumen impaction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448155/ FEEDBACK: Medically reviewed by Emelia Arquilla, DO — By Jamie Eske on January 28, 2021
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