Never perform forceful Valsalva if you have a cold, sinus infection, or allergies. Blowing air into a mucus-filled tube can push bacteria into your middle ear, causing an infection.
Don’t wait until your ears hurt. Start equalizing 30 minutes before landing. Use the Valsalva or swallow/yawn method every few minutes as the plane loses altitude. how to unpop ear
This is a lesser-known but highly effective trick. Never perform forceful Valsalva if you have a
: Placing a warm cloth over the ear can help thin mucus and relax the area. how to unpop ear