Ear Clogged From Cold «FULL»

Use a saline spray to thin the mucus in the nose. Then, close your mouth, pinch your nose, and try to sniff gently as if you are smelling a flower. This pulls the thin mucus out of the tube rather than pushing germs in.

Forcing a yawn opens the tensor veli palatini muscle—the muscle that actually pulls the Eustachian tube open. Immediately follow the yawn with a hard swallow. This is more effective than the Valsalva maneuver for viral clogs. ear clogged from cold

A topical nasal spray (like oxymetazoline—Afrin) shrinks the tissue at the opening of the Eustachian tube. Limit use to 3 days to avoid "rebound congestion." Oral decongestants (pseudoephedrine) work systemically but take longer. Use a saline spray to thin the mucus in the nose