The nose runs, the throat hurts, and the circulation fails. Many people also get blocked ears when they have a cold. But why are the ears blocked when you have an infection and what can you do about it? We have the answers.
Wintertime is cold season. And as if a heavy head, sore throat and runny nose weren't enough, your ears are also clogged.
The pressure on the ears occurs when the connection between the nasopharynx and the middle ear remains closed. This is a very unpleasant feeling. In fact, not only do you hear badly, but you may also experience pain.
So a cold like this can really throw us for a loop. Fortunately, there are a few helpful tips that will ensure a quick improvement and clear your ears again.
Why does a cold lead to blocked ears?
In the cold season, in addition to coughs, colds and hoarseness, ear problems often occur. They are characterized by pain, pressure and numbness.
The culprits are cold viruses that migrate from the nasopharynx to the middle ear. These two areas are connected by the eustachian tube.
When viruses or germs invade the middle ear, unbearable pain results. Children in particular often suffer from the so-called middle ear infection.
The immune system is not yet fully developed in children. In addition, the child's eustachian tube is shorter, which makes it easier for germs to be transmitted.
A lack of pressure equalization can also be the cause of cold-related ear problems. If you are healthy, you can easily compensate for the pressure differences between the nasopharynx and middle ear. For example, by yawning.
However, if the nasal mucosa is swollen or if there is an overproduction of nasal mucus at the entrance to the Eustachian tube, pressure compensation cannot occur.
This causes a pressure difference and an inflammatory reaction in the ear. Both are very unpleasant and lead to ear pain.
What other causes are there for blocked ears?
Of course, there may be other reasons why your ear is clogged. It is important that you know the exact cause before you treat it.
- Increased production of earwaxIf there is too much earwax, it accumulates in the ear canal. Here it then dries out and hardens into a plug. The ear canal becomes blocked. The production of earwax is usually genetic. However, people who have narrow ear canals, wear hearing aids or regularly use normal earplugs or in-ear headphones also produce more earwax.
- AllergiesItchy, watery eyes, a scratchy throat, a blocked nose and sneezing are the most common symptoms of a pollen or house dust allergy. But also blocked ears are a sign of allergy.
- Air pressure differences as in an airplane cause the ears to "fall" shut. This happens because there is a difference between the pressure in the ear and the external pressure during descent. To compensate, you need to open the eustachian tube. You can do this by yawning or chewing.
- Water in the ear: If you swim or exercise and sweat a lot, water can get into your ear. The ear canal or eustachian tube may tend to accumulate water and not release it. This can lead to the feeling that your ears are blocked.
Blocked ears with a cold: what can you do when your ears are closed?
The first step in the treatment of blocked ears is the restoration of ventilation between the nose and middle ear. There are a number of methods for this.
To get earaches and clogged ears under control again during a cold or flu, we have 6 quick tricks for you.
Drops or oils
If the ear is clogged with earwax, special ear drops can help. You can get these at the pharmacy.
Or you can try a home remedy: warm olive or baby oil.
Put the oil into a pipette and carefully drip it into the ear. Now hold the head tilted for 10 to 15 minutes or lie down on the free ear so that the oil does not run out.
Then turn the head and let the oil run out.
Remove the earwax from the ear with a clean, soft towel or handkerchief. Repeat this process for several days.
Salt water
An alternative against clogged ears with a cold is salt water. It dissolves hardened earwax.
To do this, dissolve one teaspoon of table salt in 100 ml of warm water.
Drop the solution into the ear with a pipette or a small spoon, tilt your head or lie on your free ear and leave the mixture in the ear canal for about ten minutes.
Then turn your head and let the solution run out. This treatment should also be carried out over several days until the earwax in the clogged ear dissolves.
Steam and warm compresses
Blocked ears with a cold? Then steam or warm compresses can help you.
To do this, hold your ear over a bowl of hot, steaming water or place a warm compress on the clogged ear for five to ten minutes.
The steam from a hot shower can also help clear clogged ears.
Nasal spray
If your hearing is muffled because you have a cold and your nose is stuffy, a nasal spray can help.
The spray ensures that the nasal mucus is loosened and the ears also feel freer again.
However, do not use such decongestant sprays for more than a few days, otherwise a habituation effect will occur and the nasal mucosa will swell up again more and more quickly.
Sufficient liquid
It is especially important for people with colds to drink plenty of water and tea. This keeps the mucous membranes moist and strengthens the defense system.
This allows the common cold to subside quickly.
Homeopathy
Instead of one or another home remedy for a clogged ear with a cold, some people swear by another method: homeopathy.
When the ears are blocked, different globules such as Pulsatilla, Chamomilla or Belladonna are used depending on the condition. Their effectiveness has not been scientifically studied.
If you still want to try it, consult a homeopath.
When should I see a doctor?
Blocked ears from a cold are usually painless and do not require medical treatment. However, in some cases a visit to the doctor may be useful if
- the constipation is not gone after a week.
- Earache may occur.
- be accompanied by other symptoms such as sinus congestion.
- a noticeable hearing loss occurs due to blocked ears.
- you hear a ringing in your ears.
What is the treatment?
The doctor will first try to find out why the ear is blocked, whether it is earwax, water or an infection.
It can remove the earwax in different ways depending on the reason.
If a disease is the cause of the clogged ear, he will treat it. The clogged ear usually disappears when the disease has subsided.
Our conclusion
Blocked ears with a cold can be very unpleasant. However, they are usually harmless and subside after a few days. Our home remedies mentioned above can speed up the improvement somewhat. However, if the symptoms do not improve after several days, then consult a doctor.
Get well soon!
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