Overview
Best decongestants can be determined according to the underlying cause. Regardless of the cause, the best decongestant for ears is Phenylephrine, commonly prescribed in brand Sudafed PE as 10 mg every 4 hours daily, making it 40 mg maximum daily for effective relief. Decongestants are basically medications designed to relieve the congestion arising from inflammation and pus formation in the nose and ears. Various types, including oral decongestants, nasal sprays, saline solutions, antihistamines, and nasal steroid sprays, are also considered the go-to option to relieve congestion and pressure. Choosing the right decongestant involves age, gender, severity of the medical condition, allergies, and comorbidities of your healthcare provider. Proper consultation with healthcare professionals is crucial for effective treatment and the best treatment option for decongestion of ears.
What are decongestants?
Decongestants are medications that help release congestion due to inflammation or pus formation in the nose and ear. Usually, they are prescribed for nasal congestion caused by bacterial or viral infection. Infections, including nasal sinuses, lead to clogged nasal cavities and clogged ears.
These decongestants loosen the pus formation and inflammation due to infection and lessen the pressure and clogging.
The best decongestants for ears
Some of the best decongestants for ears are as follows:
- Pseudoephedrine is considered one of the best and most effective choices for decongestion.
- Phenylephrine is the second best option given along or after the pseudoephedrine regimen.
- Oxymetazoline nasal spray
- Xylometazoline nasal spray
| Best decongestants | Usually prescribed dose | Dosage frequency |
| Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) | 10-60 mg every 4-6 hours | 3-4 times a day (adults) |
| Afrin (oxymetazoline) | 2-3 sprays in each nostril | Once daily (every 12 hours) |
| Claritin (loratadine) | 10mg (adults) | Once daily |
| Flonase (fluticasone) | Two sprays in each nostril | Once every 12 hours for a week |
| Xylometazoline spray | Two sprays in each nostril | Once in 12 hours. |
They instantly loosen up the mucus to remove congestion regardless of the bacterial or viral cause. Your healthcare provider and pharmacist can only determine the dose and frequency according to the severity of decongestion.
Can decongestants help clogged ears?
Clogged ears can be extremely irritating and affect the quality of your life. Several reasons, including sinuses, influenza virus, and ear infections, can cause clogged ears. These medical conditions cause inflammation and pus formation surrounding the eustachian tubes in the ear, leading to clogging, blockage, and built pressure in the ears.
Decongestants help best for nasal and ear congestions and should be used as prescribed by your healthcare professional, says Dr RichardHonekar
What are the types of decongestants for ears?
Decongestants work the same, no matter the route selection. They help loosen the pus formation and inflammation and lead to the release of pressure formation. Some of the most common decongestants prescribed are:
Oral decongestants include all those taken via oral or mouth route, including tablets, capsules, and liquids. They start working within 15-30 minutes of taking them, and you will start noticing an improvement in your symptoms.
Examples are Pseudoephedrine and Oxymetazoline. They both come under the category of over-the-counter decongestants for ears to be taken orally!
Nasal decongestants are mostly prescribed decongestants. They are sprayed directly into the nasal cavities through the nostrils. They are widely used for congestion and can show its effect in 5 to 10 minutes.
An example of nasal decongestant sprays is oxymetazoline sprays.
As the name indicates, a mixed spray with salt (sodium) and water is also widely prescribed and used to loosen mucus in the nasal passages. After mucus is loosened and released, the pressure built up in the ear and nose is released.
They are mostly prescribed and used in children to clear nasal mucus in passages.
Antihistamines for allergies manage symptoms triggered by allergens. Available in oral tablets, capsules, and liquids, they begin working within 30 minutes and provide relief for up to 24 hours. Some of the commonly prescribed antihistamines are loratadine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine.
Steroid sprays for nasal cavities include Flonase (fluticasone), Nasonex (mometasone), Nasacort (triamcinolone), and Rhinocort (budesonide), which healthcare providers also prescribe for immediate relief and effectiveness.
Other treatment options
Some of the other treatment options to relieve ear congestion are home remedies that are widely recommended to get symptomatic relief. some of them are :
- Warm compresses, such as placing a warm cloth on the pinna (outside) of an ear, can also help in decongestion.
- Steam inhalation also works sometimes and is widely recommended for ear decongestion.
- Chewing gum or yawning can help naturally decongest the ear by releasing the pressure buildup in your ear!
Choosing the Right Decongestant
Choosing the right decongestant depends on several factors. Some of them include:
- Age
- Gender
- The severity of the medical condition
- Allergies and sensitivities
- Comorbidity with congestion.
Examples include:
- Pseudoephedrine is usually prescribed to adults and children over 12
- Phenylephrine is prescribed to adults and children over 6
- Oxymetazoline and Xylometazoline nasal spray are generally recommended for adults and children over 6
What are the side effects of ear decongestants?
Some of the most common side effects of the most recommended and best ear decongestants are:
While some of the severe but rare side effects of ear decongestants are:
- Chest pain
- High blood pressure
- Palpitations/increased pulse rate
- Severe allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling)
- Difficulty breathing/coughing or wheezing
- Severe dizziness
- Hallucinations in rare cases
When should I see a doctor?
Nasal congestion can be irritating and cause extreme discomfort. The right consultation can help diagnose the problem or medical condition at the right time, and effective treatment can be prescribed. Connect with providers virtually and start your consultation.
Faqs about decongestant for ears
Sudafed starts acting in the first 20 to 30 minutes of taking and shows its effect. After 3 minutes, the symptoms, specifically clogged, will improve and start to unclog.
Zyrtec is an anti allergy medication that starts clearing up the fluid due to allergy. It works by reducing the body’s allergic response, eventually clearing the fluid in nasal cavities and ears.
Yes, you can. However, it should be discussed and advised by your healthcare provider first to avoid any drug-related interactions. Some medications also increase each other’s action while some diminish it. Discussing decongestant administration with your provider or pharmacist for proper guidelines is beneficial.
Various types of decongestants are prescribed based on their duration of action and effectiveness. At the same time, nasal sprays and certain decongestants should not be used for more than three days, while oral tablets can be taken for longer durations. It’s advantageous to adhere to the prescribed duration for maximum effectiveness.
Decongestants usually work 30 minutes to an hour to unclog the ears initially. The complete treatment will take hours to treat the congestion effectively and completely.
