Ear pressure can feel like one or both of your ears are clogged up. Most people don’t pay much attention to their ears or sinuses until something goes wrong. Once ear pressure begins to bother you, it can quickly become uncomfortable and make daily activities difficult.
Thankfully, there are ways that you can relieve your ear pressure at home and the doctor’s office. Learn how to relieve your ear pressure from your McAllen sinus specialists.
Why Does Ear Pressure Build Up?
The pressure in your ear can build up when the eustachian tube is blocked or stops functioning as it should. Several conditions can cause ear pressure buildup and result in additional symptoms.
If left untreated, your ear pressure can continue to build up and cause further damage.
At-Home Treatments for Ear Pressure
Ear pressure can have many causes and these causes often determine what treatment should be used. If the cause of your ear pressure is easy to identify, you may be able to treat it at home.
Some at-home treatment options include:
Sinus-Related Conditions
If your ear pressure is due to sinus-related conditions, such as sinus congestion, allergies, the common cold, flu, or irritants (e.g. tobacco smoke), some treatment options you can try at home include:
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- Use a nasal decongestant
- Blow your nose gently to remove extra mucus
- Try a nasal rinse or nasal irrigation system
- Use a humidifier
- Drink plenty of water to thin out your mucus
- Avoid tobacco smoke and other irritants
Fluid Buildup
Fluid buildup can be another cause of ear pressure. Oftentimes, removing the fluid can also alleviate the pressure in your ear. Some ways to remove fluid buildup include:
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- Tilt your ear towards your shoulder while you jiggle or tug on your earlobe
- Lay down on your side while tilting your clogged ear downward
- Apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the clogged ear, then lie on your side with your ear facing down
- Put a hot compress on your ear for 30 seconds at a time, remove for a minute, then repeat four or five times
- Use over-the-counter ear drops that contain alcohol in order to dry out your ear canal
Earwax buildup
Another big culprit of ear pressure is wax buildup in the ear. Although normal chewing motions can usually move the earwax out of the ear, there are times where it can still build up or get pressed further into the ear.
To get rid of earwax buildup, try:
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- Apply over-the-counter ear drops
- Use an ear syringe to apply lukewarm water or a saline solution to the ear
If you believe that your ear pressure is due to one of these common causes, you may find relief with at-home treatments. Contact your doctor if you’re not finding any relief or your symptoms get worse.
Treating Ear Pressure at the Doctor’s Office
If you’ve tried multiple at-home treatments with no sign of relief, it may be time to see your doctor for further treatment. There are a few procedures that your doctor can do to relieve the pressure in your ear, including:
Myringotomy
For this procedure, your doctor will make a small incision in the eardrum. Your doctor will then remove any fluid that has built up in the middle ear. Once the fluid is carefully removed, the incision may remain open until the eustachian tube is no longer blocked or swollen.
Ear Tubes
To place ear tubes, your doctor will make a small incision similar to a myringotomy. They will first drain the fluid, then place a small metal or plastic tube into the eardrum. The purpose of this tube is to relieve pressure and prevent any additional fluid buildup.
You Can Trust Dr. Glatz to Help You Find Sinus Relief!
If you’re dealing with ear pressure that won’t go away, your trusted McAllen sinus specialist at Glatz Group can help you find sinus relief! Once we have figured out the cause of your ear pressure, we can then find the best treatment option for you.