Plugged Ears Due to a Cold

As if the sniffling, coughing, sneezing and general aches are not enough, now your seasonal cold has gifted you with another unwanted symptom--plugged ears. While plugged ears caused by allergies or colds are certainly annoying, they usually are not anything to be concerned about.

Cause

Plugged ears are caused by a pressure imbalance between your middle and outer ear. During a cold, the eustachian tube (which connects your middle ear to the back of the nose) can become partially obstructed and cause that muffled sound and mild pain.

Time Frame

Often, plugged ears are a short-lived problem that will clear up on their own in a few hours or days.

Considerations

If you are still having active cold symptoms, treatments for your cold may also help relieve your plugged ears. For example, an over-the-counter decongestant may help relieve ear pressure if you are experiencing nasal or sinus congestion.

Prevention/Solution

You can also try non-medicine solutions such as yawning, chewing gum or taking a deep breath and then gently blowing out while pinching your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed.

Warning

If your ears feel plugged for more than a few days or if you are experiencing moderate to severe ear pain, see your doctor. You may have an ear infection or other issue that requires treatment.

References

• MayoClinic.com: Plugged Ears
• Ygoy.com: Blocked Ears