Dear Doctor: What is the cracking sound in my ear? - OregonLive

The Eustachian tube can be blocked by allergies or a cold, and pseudoephedrine or another decongestant is an effective treatment.

ANSWER: The two things that first come to my mind with a cracking noise in the ear with discomfort is something in the ear canal, such as dried wax, or a problem with the Eustachian tube.

The Eustachian tube can be blocked by allergies or a cold, and pseudoephedrine or another decongestant is an effective treatment.

ANSWER: Many people with immune conditions or people who take medications that affect the immune system are concerned about the COVID-19 vaccines.

The type of immune suppressant has a big effect on whether the vaccine will be effective.

Second, people on immunosuppressants are at greater risk for complicated COVID-19 disease, and should be particularly encouraged to get the vaccine.

Third, the vaccine is certainly better than getting no vaccine, but probably less effective than it is in people with no immune system problems.

So, even people who have gotten the vaccine should continue to be extra careful as long as COVID-19 is circulating in their community.

Finally, although there is a theoretical risk that autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s, might flare due to the transient immune system activation from the vaccine, the reality is that seldom if ever happens.

A final note: If you see someone wearing a mask even when it’s not required, recall that it may be someone taking medication for their immune system, making the vaccine potentially less effective -- or maybe they can’t take the vaccine at all.