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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Cause And Remedy For Clogged Ears During Cold ?

Hey, I am in the middle of a cold and my ears seemed to be clogged. It feels like there is water stuck in my ears or as though someone has stuffed cotton balls in my ears. Sometimes they pop or there is a sharp pain in them. I have tried cleaning them out and using ear drops but they don t seem to be working. I was wondering if this is just because of my cold and if it will go away with the cold or if it is something else that I need to see a doctor for.
Wed, 18 Apr 2012
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello
Cleaning your ears won't solve the problem as problem lies in middle ear and not the ear canal.
Cold has resulted in phlegm going in eustachian tubes and this phlegm in middle ear is giving you the feeling of clogged ears.
Don't force air in your nose as it can drive the infection in.
Take steam inhalation three times a day
Take some decongestant like sudafed.
Take hot liquids
You should be alright with these measures however if it doesn't resolve or the pain in ear increases then you must consult your doctor for the prescription of antibiotics because pain in ears may suggest middle ear infection called as acute otitis media.
Thanks
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General & Family Physician Dr. Madhavi S Hullur's  Response
HI,
U ARE HAVING UPPER RESP INFECTION.. THAT`S WHY UR EARS ARE BLOCKED.
SO, TAKE STEAM INHALATION 2TIMES/DAY WITH ANTIOBIOTICS [TAB. AZEE 500mg, DAILY ONCE * 5 DAYS, TAB. CALPOL/ CROCIN -500 mg BD/ TID]
U WILL BE FINE BY NEXT WEEK..
TAKE CARE
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ENT Specialist Dr. Sreenivas's  Response
hi alice
welcome to healthcaremagic

during an episode of 'cold' or upper respiratory tract infection, it is quite common to have an eustachian catarrh or Acute otitis media, which usually resolves without any complications in an adult.
do some steam inhalation and attempt valsalva manouevere (details are found in various websites).
if these do not give relief pl consult an ENT surgeon

regards
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What Is The Cause And Remedy For Clogged Ears During Cold ?

Hello Cleaning your ears won t solve the problem as problem lies in middle ear and not the ear canal. Cold has resulted in phlegm going in eustachian tubes and this phlegm in middle ear is giving you the feeling of clogged ears. Don t force air in your nose as it can drive the infection in. Take steam inhalation three times a day Take some decongestant like sudafed. Take hot liquids You should be alright with these measures however if it doesn t resolve or the pain in ear increases then you must consult your doctor for the prescription of antibiotics because pain in ears may suggest middle ear infection called as acute otitis media. Thanks