How to Cure a Blocked Ear

A blocked ear, or ear congestion, can be caused by allergies, changes in barometric pressure, viruses and sinusitis. Although a blocked ear can be quite painful, it is seldom serious and almost always temporary. Methods to cure a blocked ear range from home remedies to seeing your health care provider for treatment.

• Take a decongestant. An over-the-counter decongestant can quickly cure a blocked ear. A decongestant should not be confused with an antihistamine, which helps relieve a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and an itchy throat. Although decongestants are considered safe for treating a blocked ear, they can cause side effects or worsen certain medical conditions. Side effects from decongestants include fast or irregular heart rate, fast pulse, anxiety, difficulty sleeping and hyperactivity. People who suffer from a condition called tachycardia should check with their doctor before taking this medication, because it can cause an increase in symptoms. Tachycardia is a cardiac condition that results in an abnormally high heart rate.

• Ask about antibiotics. If your blocked ear is caused by an infection, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics. It is important to note, however, that antibiotics are only useful if the infection is bacterial in nature. Viral infections will not respond to antibiotics. When your infection goes away, your blocked ear will be resolved as well.

• Chew gum. Although chewing gum is generally the method of choice to cure a blocked ear when in an airplane, it can be used anytime. The movements that you make with your jaw and mouth help clear ear congestion and can relieve your blocked ear. Other methods that work on the same principle as chewing gum are swallowing hard and yawning.