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How do you quickly clear a clogged ear from too much nose blowing?

By Expert HERWriter March 6, 2018 - 12:00am
 
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clearing clogged ear

Hello everyone!

A dear friend of mine called me tonight to ask me for some advice on how to fix her clogged-up ear. It seems she is getting over a bad cold and was doing some heavy-duty nose blowing and her left ear feels all funny now. Sort of like when you're on a plane and your ears pop. Hers needs to pop but won't. I thought maybe a decongestant would help her, or opening her mouth as wide as she can--that helps me sometimes when my ears won't pop on a plane. She tried opening her mouth and even moving her jaw back and forth but it didn't do anything.

She said it's hard to hear now in her left ear and it feels very full and has a bit of pressure, so she's hoping to get it back to normal pretty fast. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for her? I also tried to gently remind her not to blow her nose with such force so hopefully this won't happen again. Thanks so much everyone, Michelle

Add a Comment179 Comments

Hi
I had a clogged ear which made me deaf, and also left me with a feeling of a full ear, which I tried to keep getting rid of by hitting my head on the side. Then a friend noticed I had a running nose. Assuming this was the problem, I used the following remedy....stopped sleeping in airconditioning (to prevent my nose from running), take nasal spray everymorning, and also 10 mg of gingko biloba (brand I used is blackmore)....Very interesting that the moment I took gingko, my ear started to respond positively. Now two weeks later, I no longer have a clogged ear, and I can hear again. Oh, oh, I forgot...I also prayed for healing from the Lord. I want to believe prayers helped, yet I realise also that the above remedy may also have worked. I hope this help somebody.

October 9, 2009 - 6:35pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to living_well4u)

And yes, I realize that is basically what you are saying. The moment you took the gingko biloba, your ear started getting better. I just wanted to clarify for others about the air conditioning and nasal spray. I am going to check into the gingko. I get clogged ears from time to time due to allergies and drainage that I live with on a daily basis. I can fall asleep and wake up the next morning with one or both ears clogged and a lot of the time I cannot get them unclogged for days. Thanks for the tip.

October 31, 2010 - 11:12am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to living_well4u)

Sleeping in air conditioning as nothing to do with it, unless it's blowing right in your face. Any direct air blowing in your face can cause a sore throat or the like. Air conditioning in general is actually better for people with allergies. Be careful with certain nasal sprays, they can be harmful and addicting. It's most likely the gingko biloba that helped you.

October 31, 2010 - 11:05am
(reply to living_well4u)

Wow. That is very inspiring. I'm very glad to know that you were able to have your hearing repaired. Also, numerous scientific studies find that when one asks/believes a higher power, regardless of religious/spiritual identity, will help them heal, they often heal more quickly and more often. So, keep it up!

January 5, 2010 - 10:40am
(reply to Shannon Koehle)

Care to cite those numerous studies?

May 14, 2011 - 12:40pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Your an idiot Anonymous, Shannon is right, she doesnt have swimmers ear, its from BLOWING to much, mine is the same, and Yawning does work!

October 6, 2009 - 4:18pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Thanks for backing me up. I'm glad to know this remedy has worked for others as well.

January 5, 2010 - 10:34am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Shannon Koehle)

You are right the yawning technique does work but you should still learn proper grammar and spelling, my love :P

June 28, 2010 - 9:46pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Dumb advise Shannon. Ear clogges that havent gone away like this one can not be solved by yawning or trying to pop your ears. if that was the case, the person's ear clogged what have gone away on its own by now. The best advise here is to go the pharmacy and get ear drops or make your own as stated by others. I had the same problem a few months back, i had it for 3 days and could not unclog it. I finally went to the pharmacy and bought ear drops and it was cured.

July 17, 2009 - 10:43am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Pretty friggin sad when people can't even be constructive on a MEDICAL forum. Shannon's not a doctor, so she's going by what she read. It's ok shannon, just keep doing what you do girl :)

I on the other hand am a nurse...and there IS some validity to all these answers. The drops only work when it's confirmed liquid in the ears...but don't waste your money on expensive swimmer's ear drops when a drop of rubbing alcohol will dry the water up in a matter of seconds. Don't believe me? Place a small drop on your skin and feel how dried out it gets.

As far as the PND (post nasal drip) ear pain and clogging goes...I am laying in bed right this minute with my left ear clogged. And basically I'm just riding it out. I might try a combination of an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory and see if that helps. But I personally am still in the midst of a bout of viral bronchitis.

I just had to give my personal opinion especially with all the wusses out there who talk crap but have to do it anonymously.

-kaylee m.,RN

September 7, 2011 - 12:08pm
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