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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

(reply to Anonymous)

hello i'm new here and just saw your post.....So a drop of alcohol can help for clogged ears??? how do i do that, do i add a drop and let it sit there or do i add and then tilt head to let it fall out after a few minutes?? please help...oh and also how many min should i leave in there...thank you very much for your help :)

February 20, 2012 - 9:57am
(reply to Anonymous)

In comment to one who called my advice dumb, you could be a little nicer. Sometime when ears are clogged due to allergies or other issues, even though it may persist, that remedy can help. If you have your own personally opinions that is fine, but calling my suggestion dumb is uncalled for. Have a little respect for ideas other than your own.

January 5, 2010 - 10:36am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

really terrible and stupid "advise" (learn to spell). Ear "clogges" (learn how to spell) cannot be solved with drops. There is a membrane that separates the outer from inner ear, called the ear drum. Drops will not enter the middle ear....and will no way aid in draining the fluids, which exit through the eustachian tube into the nose. These typically swell after a cold and trap the fluid produced during the infection in the middle ear. It typically clears itself out after a few days after the inflammation subsides...Anonymous got drops a few days after, its coincidence. The pharmacist just knows people want drugs like candy and won't settle for "just wait." Decongestants may help reduce nasal swelling but are of little benefit in draining fluid from eustachion tubes. Because it often follows a cold, antibiotics are ineffective...unless its known to be bacterial. If it does not clear up after waiting they may be given antibiotics anyway and possibly oral steroids, as bacterial infection is likely in stagnant mucous.

January 5, 2010 - 10:18am

Two great remedies to unplug one's ears are yawning. You can force a yawn-like pressure by opening your mouth and trying to yawn. It's not the actual yawn, but the movement of those same muscles that can unplug your ears.

Or, with your mouth closed, plug your nose with your fingers and exhale strongly through your nose. This also works, but is a little more difficult than the above to unplug the ears and can sometimes cause a little bit of pain.

Good luck!

June 12, 2009 - 10:28am
(reply to Shannon Koehle)

Thanks to shannon I now have 2 clogged ears

September 30, 2011 - 1:22am
(reply to BobbyP1032)

I, too, laughed heartily when I saw your response. I hope your ears have cleared by now. I am currently suffering from the worst sinus infection I've ever had in my entire life....so my dr. prescribed a Z pac....(thanks...it's a bit like using a baby ear syringe to fight a house fire but what the heck....) and today....as I energetically blew my nose trying to move some air thru my tightly clogged useless nostrils my left ear plugged. Aw it's great....can't breathe out of my nose and am now semi deaf on my left side. Can't smell and am now can only half hear...hope I don't have someone who tries to break into the house later to set my kitchen afire...I'd never smell the smoke nor hear the smoke alarm if sleeping on my good side. Oh how I LOVE sinus infections!!!!

February 14, 2012 - 11:54am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to BobbyP1032)

this response just made me laugh hysterically, clogged ears and all!

January 30, 2012 - 8:24pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Shannon Koehle)

Whoa! That second option might actually cause some people to pass out if they exhale too hard!
By the way...
My own remedy is to place the thumb sideways on that little hanging bit of skin where earrings commonly go and gently push into the jaw while also pushing up toward the top of the ear (you should feel a little knob of cartilage there). Then slowly tilt that ear toward the ground and hold your head sideways until it opens up. It usually takes just a few seconds,

May 11, 2010 - 12:39am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

OMG! This worked!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I will never forget this! I hate eardrops, therefore this is perfect!

April 29, 2012 - 6:54pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Amazing!

March 15, 2012 - 10:14am
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