Airplanes & Afrin

Airplanes contribute to frequent colds, ear and sinus congestion.  On a plane one is breathing the unfiltered air of 200 people, 30 or 40 of them suffering with a virus!! 

The air is dry, and the eye, throat, and nose membranes become raw and irritated, setting the stage for easy viral penetration. Using Afrin nose drops, with the head tilted, allow the drops go toward the side of the throat.  This allows the eustachian tube to be decongested and allows air back into the middle ear during the cabin pressure increase of descent.

It is important to get the drops to go down the side of the throat, about 20 minutes before descent.