Why ears hurt when you blow your nose
The Eustachian tube opens when you swallow or yawn to balance pressure between the middle ear and the outside. Blowing your nose hard raises pressure at the back of the nose, forcing air up the tube. This can pop the ears or stretch the eardrum, causing pain. When the tube is swollen from a cold, pressure may not balance quickly.
Why your ears pop when blowing your nose
Popping is the sound of the Eustachian tube opening and the eardrum moving as pressure changes. Occasional popping is normal. Repeated popping, crackling or a blocked feeling during a cold usually reflects a congested tube and settles as the cold clears.
See popping sound in ear and crackling in ear.
Middle ear infection
During a cold, mucus and germs can travel up the Eustachian tube, causing a middle ear infection. Ear pain, a blocked feeling, reduced hearing and sometimes fever develop. Blowing the nose can make the pain worse. Most infections improve within 3 days, and painkillers are the main treatment.
Sinusitis and ear pressure
Sinusitis causes facial pressure, a blocked nose and thick mucus, and it often affects Eustachian tube function, causing ear fullness and pain when blowing the nose.
See sinus and ear pressure and sinus massage.
Perforated eardrum
If the eardrum has a hole, blowing the nose may cause air to whistle out of the ear, along with pain, discharge or reduced hearing. A perforation can follow an ear infection, injury or pressure changes. Most heal within weeks, and you should avoid forceful nose blowing while it heals.
See perforated eardrum.
Pressure injury
Very forceful nose blowing, like flying or diving with a cold, can occasionally injure the ear through pressure (barotrauma), causing pain, fullness, bleeding or hearing changes.
See ear barotrauma.
How to blow your nose safely
- Blow gently, not forcefully.
- Blow one nostril at a time, pressing the other closed lightly.
- Keep your mouth slightly open.
- Use saline spray first to loosen mucus.
- Wash your hands afterwards.
Relieving ear pain and pressure
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- A warm compress over the ear.
- Swallowing, yawning or chewing gum to open the tubes.
- Steam inhalation and saline nasal rinses.
- Decongestant sprays for a few days only, as advised by a pharmacist.
See ear pressure relief and ear won’t pop.
Should you try to pop your ears?
Gently pinching the nose and blowing with the mouth closed (Valsalva) can help equalise pressure, but it should be very gentle. Forceful attempts can damage the ear, especially with an infection. Swallowing and yawning are safer.
Children
Children have shorter, more horizontal Eustachian tubes, so they are more prone to ear infections during colds. Teaching children to blow gently, one side at a time, and using saline drops can help.
Allergies and repeated ear pressure
Allergic rhinitis keeps the nose and Eustachian tubes swollen. Treating allergies with steroid nasal sprays and antihistamines can reduce ear pressure and pain with nose blowing.
When to see a doctor
- Severe ear pain or pain lasting more than 3 days.
- Discharge or blood from the ear.
- Hearing loss, ringing or dizziness.
- High fever or feeling very unwell.
- Swelling behind the ear.
- Air whistling from the ear when blowing.
Key points to remember
- Blowing the nose forces pressure into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.
- Colds, sinusitis and allergies make the tube swollen and pain more likely.
- Blow gently, one nostril at a time, with the mouth open.
- Persistent pain, discharge or hearing loss need assessment.
Questions about ear pain when blowing your nose
These answers are general information and do not replace an examination or individual medical advice.
Why does my ear hurt when I blow my nose?
Blowing pushes pressure into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.
Can blowing your nose cause an ear infection?
Forceful blowing may push mucus towards the middle ear and contribute.
Why do my ears pop when I blow my nose?
The Eustachian tube opens and the eardrum moves as pressure changes.
Can blowing your nose burst your eardrum?
Very forceful blowing can rarely injure the eardrum.
How should I blow my nose with a cold?
Gently, one nostril at a time, with the mouth slightly open.
Is it normal for ears to crackle with a cold?
Yes, it usually settles as the cold clears.
What helps ear pain from a cold?
Painkillers, warmth, steam and saline rinses.
Why does air come out of my ear when I blow my nose?
This can indicate a perforated eardrum and should be checked.
When should I see a doctor?
For severe or persistent pain, discharge, hearing loss or fever.
Sources
This guide is for general information and does not replace medical advice. How a problem is diagnosed and treated depends on your examination and medical history. If you think you have an emergency, contact your local emergency services.