Can i fly while congested

Schaffer also says to drink up. This moisture will help prevent nasal secretions from drying, becoming uncomfortable and clogging up the Eustachian tube.

In addition to these tips, it's important to remember to practice simple hygiene. Post-flight, you might be stuck with clogged-up ears or have a hard time hearing for a few days. To ease the trouble, continue with your decongestants and try a hot shower once you reach the hotel, says Linder. Some easy exercise —a slow jog or walk—actually makes you feel better, says Schaffner, and can help open stuffy nasal passages.

This article was originally published in January and has been updated with new information. Ask yourself: should I even fly with a cold? The Intel Tips and tricks from our travel experts along with the latest news from airlines, hotels, loyalty programs, and more, delivered to your inbox weekly.

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Join now to personalize. How does flying affect children with a cold? Tips to prevent and ease ear pain when flying When you do fly with a child who has a cold, you can do a couple of things to help make her more comfortable during the flight. Saline drops. Give her saline nose drops just before takeoff. Tilt her head back and put a few drops in each nostril. Let the drops sit for a minute or so, then use the suction bulb also called a suction syringe or nasal aspirator to unclog her nose.

Don't worry if a little saline goes down her throat — that's perfectly fine. You can use the drops every two hours until landing. Breastfeed your baby, or use a pacifier. The motion of chewing and swallowing can keep the tubes in the inner ear open and adjust to the changes in pressure.

If you have an infant, offer her something to suck on during takeoff and when the plane begins its descent: Breastfeeding your baby or giving her a bottle or pacifier can relieve the pain from changes in air pressure.

Give older children a beverage. An older child can try drinking something through a straw or a sippy cup. Bringing a contagious illness into a confined space can be dangerous, especially for any other passengers who have weakened immune systems. One of the biggest challenges of flying with a cold is handling clogged ears. The Eustachian tubes, which connect the inner ear with the back of the throat, work to balance the pressure between the outside air and your body. When the cabin pressure drops in the plane, these tubes work to equalize the pressure in your body — usually.

Doctors commonly suggest that you use a decongestant before boarding and again before landing. Decongestants reduce the swelling in the mucus membranes and make it possible for air to move through the tubes. Certain types of earplugs that are made especially for flying also may help. These plugs have built-in filters that help the ears adjust gradually to changing pressure. Chewing or yawning during takeoff and landing should also help. Sometimes, pressure changes will cause an eardrum to rupture.

If it happens, you might feel liquid leaking from the ear and experience dizziness, hearing loss and a sudden absence of ear pain. The rupture may resolve itself without treatment, but a doctor should still see you to rule out infection. If the rupture happens at the beginning of a trip, head to an urgent care clinic upon arriving in a new city. Sudafed is one of the most common names in decongestants, but you might also see Vicks, Mucinex, Afrin and store brands available on the store shelves.

Decongestants in pill form work to reduce mucus membrane swelling. Nasal sprays work too and might provide more immediate relief. However, hold off on using them until the day of the flight. Using nasal sprays for longer than three days can make swelling and congestion worse.

Also, always check with a doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on what medication may help you. Bring only containers that are no larger than 3. Sinusitis, more commonly known as a sinus infection, might start out feeling like a cold.