Here's help for that cold when you're flying

Font Size:

By David Bear | Sunday, February 11, 2007 3:09 AM CST | () comments

Flying with a cold is never pleasant. Here’s a collection of basic remedies to consider if you find yourself taking a clogged head and runny nose to the airport.

First, the primary tactic for traveling with a cold is to keep your nasal passages and Eustachian tubes open. Unfortunately, the dry atmosphere in airplane cabins makes it harder for these narrow passages to drain properly. Along with the changes in air pressure in the cabin during takeoff and landing, a blockage can result in excruciating head pain.

Take a decongestant medicine about half an hour before you actually get on the plane, and repeat the dose as necessary during a long flight.

Other decongestant products also provide an antihistamine, which reduces the swelling of nasal membranes. Antihistamines can leave you feeling drowsy, however.

Nasal drops and sprays also can provide quick relief. Even a simple spray of saline solution in each nostril can help.

For headaches and fever, acetaminophens such as Tylenol won’t irritate the stomach, but common aspirin also is a good option. Aleve Cold and Sinus combines pseudoephedrine with naproxen, a strong anti-inflammatory pain reducer.

If you have a dry cough, suppressants such as Dixoral or Benylin can reduce the urge to cough. On the other hand, if you’re coughing up phlegm, an expectorant containing Guaifenesin (Robitussin or Scottussin) is a better choice.

If your ears clog during the flight, don’t try that old prescription of chewing gum, which will only dry your throat. A better choice is sucking on a Lifesaver or throat lozenge, especially if it contains Benzocaine oral anesthetic.

The usual technique for clearing your ears is to simultaneously pinch your nose, open your mouth wide, swallow and gently force air into your Eustachian tubes.

But if that doesn’t work and the pressure in your ears continues to build, here’s a simple, but surprisingly effective procedure. Ask the cabin attendant for a Styrofoam cup, a paper napkin and a little hot water. Wad up the napkin, put it in the cup, add the water and place the cup over the clogged ear. While holding a cup over your ear may not do much for your image, the damp warmth may relieve the pain. Placing a warm, moist towel over the forehead also can ease the pressure of sinusitis, as well as soothe itchy eyes.

Daubing a bit of Vaseline or Vicks VaporRub inside each nostril also will help to keep nasal membranes moist and help clear nasal passages.

There should be no problem carrying your medicines with you. The new TSA security regulations allow travelers to take up to 3 ounces of liquids or gels with them on the plane.

Another important point: stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids — ideally water and fruit juice. Once inside the security area, you can buy a bottle of water to carry on the plane.

Sipping a warm beverage will soothe both the throat and sinus. A cup of coffee or tea will do, but a little chicken soup would be best. Take a bouillon cube from home and ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot water.

Stay away from alcohol, which has a dehydrating effect.

One last bit of advice: Take a handkerchief or plenty of tissues, both for your comfort and that of your fellow passengers.