Flying By Airplane : Needles In My Head And Bloody Nose

[bppree]

Before a long intercontinental flight I took half a tablet of Aspirin, because I've once read something about "deep vein trombosis". Actually, I am rather healthy and I also know that Aspirin can cause easier blooding. Anyway, while on the first (domestic) leg of the journey, flying by Air Asia, I experienced a severe headache, like needles were stung in my head. On arrival in Bangkok I discovered that I did have a bloody nose, which I never had before while flying. Being the hypocondriac type, I wonder how serious can these sympoms be taken : the feeling of needles stung in my head and the bloody nose ? And could flying by a budget airline like AirAsia have anything to do with these symptoms, or is this too far-fletched ?

[toptuan]

Last year, flying Air Asia, I had a blood vessel rupture in my eye, which has led to a permanent affect on my eyesight (floating debris). Any connection?

[Farma]

It sounds like a case of the OP’s sinuses not equalising as the pressure changed. I’ve experienced the same symptoms on odd occasions flying on military and civilian aircraft as well as diving. It usually occurs with me if I’ve experienced a series of pressure changes in a short time or rapid ascent/decent.

This was easily rectified by a couple of squirts from a sinus spray up the nose prior to flying.

I wouldn’t put the blame on Air Asia just yet. It may have been one of those days when the OP’s sinuses were acting up.

[bppree]

It sounds like a case of the OP's sinuses not equalising as the pressure changed. I've experienced the same symptoms on odd occasions flying on military and civilian aircraft as well as diving. It usually occurs with me if I've experienced a series of pressure changes in a short time or rapid ascent/decent.

This was easily rectified by a couple of squirts from a sinus spray up the nose prior to flying.

I wouldn't put the blame on Air Asia just yet. It may have been one of those days when the OP's sinuses were acting up.

Sinus spray ? Never heard of it, but I guess it will be readily available in Thailand. By the way, occasionally there is still some bloody snot, 6 days after the flight. Is this a thing to worry about ?

[Farma]

If you’re worried go see a doctor. You may have an infection.

A spray used by aircrew and myself was called Tobispray which I believe is now discontinued. I’ve known people use a variety of sprays like saline, sinus ease and Afrin. There are products on the market, ask your local pharmacist or doctor what they recommend.

[bppree]

It sounds like a case of the OP's sinuses not equalising as the pressure changed. I've experienced the same symptoms on odd occasions flying on military and civilian aircraft as well as diving. It usually occurs with me if I've experienced a series of pressure changes in a short time or rapid ascent/decent.

This was easily rectified by a couple of squirts from a sinus spray up the nose prior to flying.

I wouldn't put the blame on Air Asia just yet. It may have been one of those days when the OP's sinuses were acting up.

What could a sinus spray possibly prevent : the feeling of needles stung in my head or a bloody nose or maybe both ?

[Farma]

A sinus above my left eye was the one that caused problems. I would get that needle in the head feeling along with pressure on my eye and a watery eye. Bloody snot would normally appear when the sinus pressure eased.

For me the tobispray opened the entrance to my sinus and allowed the sinus to equalise. A squirt of spray up each nostril as I was strapping in prior to flight solved the problem. Later on I used a product called Sinus ease but rarely have sinus problems nowadays.

I don’t carry a spray with me when I fly now but if I feel a bit stuffy nosed I try to avoid blowing my nose hard during the flight as this can cause me sinus problems.