Article: Congested ears often result from sinus congestion, as your eustachian tubes run from the back of your nose to your middle ear. Since nasal decongestants relieve sinus congestion, they can also help unclog your ears. You can find nasal decongestants over-the-counter. For some brands, you may need to ask for them at the pharmacy counter, but you don't need a prescription. Stop taking the decongestants after 3 days, unless a doctor advises you to continue them. It's best to talk to your doctor before taking decongestants, especially if you take other medications or have high blood pressure, glaucoma, or prostate problems. Similarly, you shouldn't give decongestants to children. Nasal steroids can relieve the swelling inside your nasal passages, which causes congestion. This relieves both your nasal and ear congestion. Don't use steroids without talking to a doctor. You can find these products over-the-counter or by prescription. These are especially helpful for people who have allergies. Untreated allergies can cause ear congestion because they irritate your sinuses, resulting in nasal congestion. A daily antihistamine can help prevent this. There are several options available over-the-counter, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), and fexofenadine hydrochloride (Allegra). Talk to your doctor before taking an antihistamine or if an OTC antihistamine isn't working for you. When flying, you can take an antihistamine 1 hour before your flight to help prevent having pressure build up. Read all instructions and precautions enclosed with the medication before taking it. You should start to feel more comfortable within a few hours of starting self-care. If you don't, then you need to see a doctor. Congested ears can cause damage if left untreated. Additionally, you may have an infection. See your doctor right away if you develop a fever or have any kind of discharge from your ear. Take all of the medication prescribed by your doctor, especially antibiotics. Otherwise, your symptoms may return. Your doctor may be able to prescribe ear drops to help manage pain. Your doctor can insert tubes to drain away fluids and relieve the pressure inside the ear. This is most often done when the patient experiences frequent incidences of ear congestion. This is most often done for children who have frequent ear infections. It reduces the incidence of infection and helps the child recover more comfortably.
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Take OTC nasal decongestants if you've had a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection. Use topical nasal steroids. Take an antihistamine if you experience allergies. Visit your doctor for severe or persistent pain. Ask your doctor about ventilation tubes for frequent ear congestion.