Flying with a cold: 5 tips to relieve pain and congestion

Air travel is an exciting experience for many, but it can become a major health challenge when it coincides with a cold or flu. While symptoms may be manageable on the ground, the cabin environment, with its low air pressure and dry air, can significantly worsen these symptoms, making the flight an uncomfortable and potentially painful experience for some.

The effect of atmospheric pressure on the sinuses and ears

To understand why someone with a cold might experience pain while flying, we must consider the body's physiology. The middle ear and sinuses contain air-filled cavities that are affected by changes in atmospheric pressure according to the laws of physics. Normally, the Eustachian tube equalizes the pressure, but when someone has a cold, the mucous membranes swell and these tubes become blocked, trapping air and causing a sharp pain known as barotrauma, especially during takeoff and landing.

Medical guidelines for symptom relief

Doctors and aviation medicine experts recommend following a range of preventative measures to reduce the severity of symptoms and make the journey more bearable:

• Constant hydration: Humidity levels inside airplanes drop to very low levels (sometimes below 20%), leading to dryness of the mucous membranes and increased mucus thickness. Therefore, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and avoid diuretics such as coffee, tea, and alcohol.
• Using decongestants: It is preferable to use decongestant nasal sprays about 30 minutes before takeoff and also before landing, as they help to shrink swollen blood vessels and open airways to facilitate breathing and balance pressure.
• Treating ear pain: During periods of altitude change (ascending and descending), it is advisable to chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn frequently. These movements help the jaw muscles open the Eustachian tube and equalize the pressure inside the ear.

When should travel be postponed?

From both a health and ethical standpoint, postponing travel may be the best course of action in certain situations. If symptoms are very severe, such as a high fever, unbearable ear and facial pain, or severe shortness of breath, traveling could expose you to serious complications like a ruptured eardrum. Furthermore, given the increasing global health awareness, traveling while ill is considered a potential source of infection for other passengers seated in an enclosed space for extended periods. Therefore, consulting a doctor before your trip remains the safest course of action to ensure your health and the health of others.