Should you take an antihistamine before flying?


Should you take an antihistamine before flying?

Treat congestion before your trip
If you're congested from allergies or an upper respiratory infection, it's important to do what you can to resolve the congestion before you fly. Common treatments for congestion include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays.


Do antihistamines help with flying?

Try antihistamines: For those with allergy symptoms and air pressure regulation difficulties, medications like Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra may be a good option. Antihistamines are often formulated to include decongestants (such as Claritin-D, Allegra-D, and Zyrtec-D).


Can medication help me get through a flight without panicking?

Anti-anxiety medication (usually an SSRI or an SRNI) is helpful to some people who experience panic while flying, but they must be willing to take the drugs every day for a prolonged period of time.


How do I prepare my ears for flying?

Prevention
  1. Yawn and swallow during ascent and descent. ...
  2. Use the Valsalva maneuver during ascent and descent. ...
  3. Don't sleep during takeoffs and landings. ...
  4. Reconsider travel plans. ...
  5. Use an over-the-counter nasal spray. ...
  6. Use decongestant pills cautiously. ...
  7. Take allergy medication. ...
  8. Try filtered earplugs.


Will an antihistamine help with airplane ear?

If you are suffering from a cold or allergies at the time of air travel, you may want to consider antihistamines or decongestants to help you avoid ear pair during your travels.


How do I decongest my ears before flying?

Two common recommendations: 12-hour or 24-hour Sudafed or Afrin nasal spray. If you opt for the nasal spray, give yourself a spray 30 minutes before takeoff and again about 30 minutes prior to descent.


Does Flonase help with airplane ear?

Sudafed 30 milligrams one hour before the plane lands If flying and diving is a chronic problem, start a nasal steroid (Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort) for 2 weeks prior to your trip/dive. Pop your ears early and often. For flying, try to pop your ears as the plane descends.


What is the best medicine to take before flying?

These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).


How do flight attendants deal with ear pressure?

Ear Pressure : * Pinch the soft part of your nose and blow the air out threw your ears. It will help to release ear Pressure. This can also be done without pinching the nose and just trying to blow the air through nose without inhaling.


What is the best decongestant for airplane ears?

Spray Afrin nasal decongestant spray twice into each nostril one hour prior to flying. Begin taking a decongestant, like Sudafed, one hour before the flight. Both of these medications can be purchased over-the-counter in a drug store.


Will doctors prescribe sleeping tablets for flying?

Doctors rarely recommend sleeping tablets for flying for several reasons. Some tablets render you immobile, which would be problematic during an in-flight emergency. Even if you're OK with that small risk, avoid sitting near an emergency exit where you could be responsible for many lives in an emergency.


What antihistamine is best for flying?

Q: Are there allergy medications that I can take and still fly? Yes, there are a number of non-sedating antihistamines available. These include loratadine (Claritin®), desloratadine (Clarinex®), and fexofenadine (Allegra®).