Flying with a swollen inner ear?

Middle ear fluid - should I worry about flying?

• I've been recovering from a horrible infection in my left ear. My doctor gave me a prescription for an antibiotic, which has cleared up the infection. However, I am still left with fluid in my ear. I have heard that it sometimes can take a month or two for the fluid to drain after an ear infection. I have a three hour flight I need to take about two weeks from now and was worried about what the pressure changes would do to my ear. So, I got another prescription for antibiotic/steroid ear drops. I have been using the drops for three days now without noticable improvement. Will these drops even work for a middle ear problem (I have read that they are more often used for outer ear infections)? How long should it take for the drops to work? Should I be worried about taking a flight if there is still fluid in my ear at that time?

• Answer:

  I would make sure you have been prescribed the correct drops for a middle ear infection. Whilst your at your gp you should ask them about flying. A piece of cotton wool may help to catch the fluid when you are flying. It is not too long a flight 3 hours so I would not be over concerned. Hope you get on ok.