Other than earwax, what can cause clogged ear?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had cold a few days ago. During that time, my ear was clogged. I originally thought that it was earwax, but I tried everything for earwax and it did not help. It has been a few days now and I am trying to find out what might be wrong. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

During an upper respiratory tract infection, like cold, the infection can rise up to ears through the eustachian tube that connects back of nose to middle ear. That is what has happened to you during the cold. It is called eustachian tube catarrh. You need a course of antibiotics, some anti-inflammatory drugs, nasal decongestant drops and steam inhalation for few days. This will remove the infection from tube, make the tube patent and ensure drainage and ventilation of middle ear. Antibiotics could be of Fluoroquinolone genre, anti-inflammatory of trypsin-chymotrypsin and nasal decongestant of Xylometazoline or Oxymetazoline nasal drops. This is not a very serious condition and it will be better with the medications.