Summer holidays often mean swimming, air travel, air conditioning and sudden changes in temperature. While these are all part of the season, they can also contribute to ear, nose and throat symptoms that become noticeable during or shortly after returning home.
Blocked ears, facial pressure, persistent nasal congestion, earache and reduced hearing should not always be dismissed as a common cold. Understanding the possible causes can help you recognise when symptoms may require an ENT assessment.
Why are ENT problems common after summer?
Several factors can affect the ears, nose and throat during the summer months:
- Frequent swimming and water remaining inside the ear canal
- Air travel and changes in cabin pressure
- Prolonged exposure to air conditioning
- Allergens, dust and environmental irritants
- Viral respiratory infections contracted while travelling
- Sudden changes between hot outdoor temperatures and cool indoor environments
For most people, symptoms are mild and improve naturally. However, persistent, recurrent or severe symptoms should be assessed by a doctor.
Sinusitis after the summer holidays
Sinusitis is the inflammation or swelling of the lining of the sinuses. It often develops following a cold or another viral respiratory infection. Allergies and changes in air quality may also contribute to inflammation and congestion.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain, pressure or tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead
- A blocked or runny nose
- Reduced sense of smell
- Headache
- Thick yellow or green nasal mucus
- Toothache or pressure in the upper teeth
- Bad breath
- Cough
- A feeling of pressure in the ears
Most acute cases of sinusitis are caused by viral infections and usually improve without antibiotics. Treatment depends on the cause, severity and duration of the symptoms and may include symptom management, saline nasal rinses or medication recommended by a healthcare professional.
You should arrange a medical assessment if your symptoms are severe, continue to return, do not improve, or remain predominantly on one side of the face.
Ear infections and “swimmer’s ear”
Otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer’s ear, is an inflammation or infection of the external ear canal. It can develop when water remains trapped inside the ear after swimming, creating a moist environment in which bacteria or fungi can grow.
It can also be caused or aggravated by irritation from cotton buds, fingers, earphones or other objects placed inside the ear.
Symptoms may include:
- Ear pain or discomfort
- Itching inside the ear
- Redness or swelling
- Watery or thicker discharge
- A feeling that the ear is blocked
- Reduced or muffled hearing
- Discomfort when moving the jaw
Avoid putting cotton buds or other objects into the ear, as this may damage the skin of the ear canal and worsen the inflammation. If an infection is suspected, a doctor can examine the ear and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Blocked ears after flying
During take-off and landing, changes in air pressure can affect the middle ear. The Eustachian tube normally helps equalise this pressure, but it may not work effectively if you have a cold, sinus inflammation, nasal congestion or allergies.
This can cause:
- Pressure or fullness in the ear
- Popping or clicking sounds
- Ear pain
- Muffled hearing
- Temporary dizziness
- Ringing in the ear
In many cases, symptoms improve after swallowing, yawning or chewing. However, persistent pain or hearing loss after a flight should be assessed, particularly if it is accompanied by discharge, severe dizziness or sudden hearing changes.
Middle-ear infections
A middle-ear infection, or otitis media, occurs behind the eardrum. It is more common in children, partly because their Eustachian tubes are smaller and more easily blocked, but it can also affect adults.
Possible symptoms include:
- Earache
- Fever
- Irritability or disturbed sleep in children
- Pressure or fullness inside the ear
- Temporary hearing difficulty
- Fluid or discharge from the ear
- Problems with balance
Many uncomplicated ear infections improve within a few days. Nevertheless, babies, people who are generally unwell and anyone with persistent, recurrent or worsening symptoms should receive medical advice.
When should you see an ENT specialist?
Consider arranging an ENT consultation if you experience:
- Ear pain that does not improve within a few days
- Recurrent ear or sinus infections
- Persistent nasal congestion or facial pressure
- Discharge or bleeding from the ear
- Ongoing blocked ears after flying
- Persistent or unexplained hearing changes
- Recurrent dizziness, tinnitus or balance problems
- Sinus symptoms lasting several weeks
- Symptoms affecting only one side of the face or nose
- Symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or daily activities
Seek urgent medical assistance if you or your child develops sudden hearing loss, significant swelling around the ear, severe dizziness, a very high temperature, marked facial or eye swelling, severe headache, confusion or difficulty breathing.
How can an ENT consultation help?
During an ENT consultation, the specialist will discuss your symptoms, medical history, recent travel, swimming and any previous infections or treatments.
Depending on your symptoms, the examination may include:
- Inspection of the ear canal and eardrum with an otoscope
- Examination of the nose, throat and sinuses
- Assessment of nasal obstruction or inflammation
- Hearing tests where clinically appropriate
- Additional investigations or referral when required
Treatment is then personalised according to the underlying cause. Antibiotics are not automatically required, as many sinus and ear infections are viral or inflammatory rather than bacterial.
Protecting your ears and sinuses after summer
A few simple precautions may help reduce the risk of further problems:
- Dry the outside of your ears gently after swimming
- Do not insert cotton buds or other objects into the ear canal
- Avoid swimming while you have an active ear infection
- Manage allergies according to medical advice
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid smoking and exposure to irritants
- Seek advice before flying if you have severe nasal or sinus congestion
- Do not use leftover antibiotics or ear drops without medical guidance
Book an ENT consultation at Dottore London
If post-summer ear, nose or throat symptoms are continuing, an ENT consultation can help identify the cause and determine the appropriate treatment.
At Dottore London, you can arrange a private ENT consultation in London with Dr Cerovac.
Contact our team to book an appointment at our clinic in Holborn:
Dottore London
24–25 Hand Court
London WC1V 6JF
This article is intended for general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment.
For the first time, adults in the UK have access to an oral GLP-1 medication for weight loss. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a tablet form ofPost-Summer ENT Problems: Sinusitis, Ear Problems and Infections
Summer holidays often mean swimming, air travel, air conditioning and sudden changes in temperature. While these are all part of the season, they can also contribute to ear, nose and throat symptoms that become noticeable during or shortly after returning home.
Blocked ears, facial pressure, persistent nasal congestion, earache and reduced hearing should not always be dismissed as a common cold. Understanding the possible causes can help you recognise when symptoms may require an ENT assessment.
Why are ENT problems common after summer?
Several factors can affect the ears, nose and throat during the summer months:
- Frequent swimming and water remaining inside the ear canal
- Air travel and changes in cabin pressure
- Prolonged exposure to air conditioning
- Allergens, dust and environmental irritants
- Viral respiratory infections contracted while travelling
- Sudden changes between hot outdoor temperatures and cool indoor environments
For most people, symptoms are mild and improve naturally. However, persistent, recurrent or severe symptoms should be assessed by a doctor.
Sinusitis after the summer holidays
Sinusitis is the inflammation or swelling of the lining of the sinuses. It often develops following a cold or another viral respiratory infection. Allergies and changes in air quality may also contribute to inflammation and congestion.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain, pressure or tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead
- A blocked or runny nose
- Reduced sense of smell
- Headache
- Thick yellow or green nasal mucus
- Toothache or pressure in the upper teeth
- Bad breath
- Cough
- A feeling of pressure in the ears
Most acute cases of sinusitis are caused by viral infections and usually improve without antibiotics. Treatment depends on the cause, severity and duration of the symptoms and may include symptom management, saline nasal rinses or medication recommended by a healthcare professional.
You should arrange a medical assessment if your symptoms are severe, continue to return, do not improve, or remain predominantly on one side of the face.
Ear infections and “swimmer’s ear”
Otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer’s ear, is an inflammation or infection of the external ear canal. It can develop when water remains trapped inside the ear after swimming, creating a moist environment in which bacteria or fungi can grow.
It can also be caused or aggravated by irritation from cotton buds, fingers, earphones or other objects placed inside the ear.
Symptoms may include:
- Ear pain or discomfort
- Itching inside the ear
- Redness or swelling
- Watery or thicker discharge
- A feeling that the ear is blocked
- Reduced or muffled hearing
- Discomfort when moving the jaw
Avoid putting cotton buds or other objects into the ear, as this may damage the skin of the ear canal and worsen the inflammation. If an infection is suspected, a doctor can examine the ear and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Blocked ears after flying
During take-off and landing, changes in air pressure can affect the middle ear. The Eustachian tube normally helps equalise this pressure, but it may not work effectively if you have a cold, sinus inflammation, nasal congestion or allergies.
This can cause:
- Pressure or fullness in the ear
- Popping or clicking sounds
- Ear pain
- Muffled hearing
- Temporary dizziness
- Ringing in the ear
In many cases, symptoms improve after swallowing, yawning or chewing. However, persistent pain or hearing loss after a flight should be assessed, particularly if it is accompanied by discharge, severe dizziness or sudden hearing changes.
Middle-ear infections
A middle-ear infection, or otitis media, occurs behind the eardrum. It is more common in children, partly because their Eustachian tubes are smaller and more easily blocked, but it can also affect adults.
Possible symptoms include:
- Earache
- Fever
- Irritability or disturbed sleep in children
- Pressure or fullness inside the ear
- Temporary hearing difficulty
- Fluid or discharge from the ear
- Problems with balance
Many uncomplicated ear infections improve within a few days. Nevertheless, babies, people who are generally unwell and anyone with persistent, recurrent or worsening symptoms should receive medical advice.
When should you see an ENT specialist?
Consider arranging an ENT consultation if you experience:
- Ear pain that does not improve within a few days
- Recurrent ear or sinus infections
- Persistent nasal congestion or facial pressure
- Discharge or bleeding from the ear
- Ongoing blocked ears after flying
- Persistent or unexplained hearing changes
- Recurrent dizziness, tinnitus or balance problems
- Sinus symptoms lasting several weeks
- Symptoms affecting only one side of the face or nose
- Symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or daily activities
Seek urgent medical assistance if you or your child develops sudden hearing loss, significant swelling around the ear, severe dizziness, a very high temperature, marked facial or eye swelling, severe headache, confusion or difficulty breathing.
How can an ENT consultation help?
During an ENT consultation, the specialist will discuss your symptoms, medical history, recent travel, swimming and any previous infections or treatments.
Depending on your symptoms, the examination may include:
- Inspection of the ear canal and eardrum with an otoscope
- Examination of the nose, throat and sinuses
- Assessment of nasal obstruction or inflammation
- Hearing tests where clinically appropriate
- Additional investigations or referral when required
Treatment is then personalised according to the underlying cause. Antibiotics are not automatically required, as many sinus and ear infections are viral or inflammatory rather than bacterial.
Protecting your ears and sinuses after summer
A few simple precautions may help reduce the risk of further problems:
- Dry the outside of your ears gently after swimming
- Do not insert cotton buds or other objects into the ear canal
- Avoid swimming while you have an active ear infection
- Manage allergies according to medical advice
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid smoking and exposure to irritants
- Seek advice before flying if you have severe nasal or sinus congestion
- Do not use leftover antibiotics or ear drops without medical guidance
Book an ENT consultation at Dottore London
If post-summer ear, nose or throat symptoms are continuing, an ENT consultation can help identify the cause and determine the appropriate treatment.
At Dottore London, you can arrange a private ENT consultation in London with Dr Cerovac.
Contact our team to book an appointment at our clinic in Holborn:
Dottore London
24–25 Hand Court
London WC1V 6JF
This article is intended for general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment.