How To Drain Eustachian Tubes After a Sinus Infection? — NYC Allergy Doctor | Dr. Arthur Lubitz MD (2024)

FAQs

How do you unblock a eustachian tube from a sinus infection? ›

We prefer non-drowsy antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec, and Xyzal so you can keep your eyes open during the day. You can look for their generic counterparts — loratadine, cetirizine, and levocetirizine — which are, once again, just as effective and cheaper.

Yawning and chewing gum also may help. You may hear or feel a "pop" when the tubes open. To ease ear pain, apply a warm face cloth or a heating pad set on low. There may be some drainage from the ear when the heat melts earwax.

Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water or taking a hot shower can help loosen mucus. Applying a warm, damp washcloth to the affected ear can help soothe discomfort and promote drainage.

Usually first-line treatment for the is condition is use of decongestants like Afrin or Sudafed for up to 3 days only, antihsitamines, and valsalva maneuvers to pop your ears.

Treatment for Obstructive Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

This may include medication or surgery, and a doctor may recommend avoiding triggers. Surgical treatments include: Tympanostomy tubes (ear tubes) Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube.

For more moderate symptoms, you may want to use a saline nasal spray or irrigation system to clear passageways. If allergies are causing your Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms, an antihistamine, such as Zyrtec, Benadryl, or Claritin, may provide the desired relief.

If mucous membrane congestion is caused by allergy then anti‐allergy medications such as antihistamines may work to reduce congestion and similarly improve Eustachian tube dysfunction.

The treatment for ETD is aimed at opening up the eustachian tube in the back of the nose. The main treatment is using a steroid nasal spray to help shrink the tissue where the ear drains. Nasal steroid (Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort) – 2 sprays into each nostril twice daily.

What are the causes of Eustachian tube dysfunction? Colds, flus, sinus infections, or allergies can cause the Eustachian tube in one or both ears to become inflamed, preventing proper mucus drainage and leading to symptoms.

What is the best position to sleep to drain an Eustachian tube? ›

Elevation (aka sleeping upright)

As long as you're upright enough to allow the ears to drain more successfully, you should notice an improvement in symptoms and be able to sleep much easier.

A myringotomy is a procedure to create a hole in the ear drum to allow fluid that is trapped in the middle ear to drain out. The fluid may be blood, pus and/or water. In many cases, a small tube is inserted into the hole in the ear drum to help maintain drainage.

Otitis media with effusion: After an infection goes away, fluid (effusion) and mucus build up, causing your ear to “feel full.” This can go on for months and may affect hearing.

Most cases of Eustachian tube dysfunction clear up in a few days with the help of over-the-counter medication and home remedies, but symptoms can last one to two weeks.

An 85% rate of success in opening the clogged tube with hydrogen peroxide is documented. The ototoxicity of the treatment is also examined.

Sinus infection: Sinus pressure can lead to nasal congestion and clogged ears, although the discomfort in the ears may subside after a few days.

Elevation (aka sleeping upright)

As long as you're upright enough to allow the ears to drain more successfully, you should notice an improvement in symptoms and be able to sleep much easier.