Another Ear Infection! - Fruitland,ID

I second the recommendations of (1) elimination of dairy and (2) chiropractic care. One or both of these might be all you need. Good luck!

My answer is Chiropractic care! My daughter had 4 ear infections by the time she was 4 months. I took her to the Chiropractor and has never had one since...she is now 10 years. My son has never had one.

I say try chiropractic treatments too. But what else I like is Essential Oils. I use doTerra Oils. You put drops of melaluca and deep blue on a cotton ball and tape it to their ear. Much better alternative than antibiotics!

If my girls appear to have an ear infection, we go right to the chiropractor. I am a BIG proponent of chiropractic adjustments for everyone, including infants. My two daughters have NEVER been treated for ear infections and I think it's because we see the chiropractor regularly and take our vitamins and probiotics. If you go this route, be sure that you see a pediatric specialty chiropractor for your son…there are chiropractors that will adjust infants and children without specialized training and it may not be a good experience.

kind of interesting for me to read through the other responses because our daughter has her 5th this season (she had tubes last February which have already fallen out). The appointment with the ENT was rescheduled, but I'm certain we'll have another set of tubes put in.

I, personally, don't believe in chiropractic for an issue such as this and haven't seen the science to confirm alternative treatments.

Your pediatrician should be following the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Current treatment recommendations:

Infection #1 - treat with Amoxicillin (unless allergic)
Infection #2 - treat with Augmentin
Infection #3 - treat with Omnicef
Infection #4 - send to ENT for referral

In our case, we got to 5 this year because #4, our regular Pediatrician was on vacation, and #5 was last week at her 2 year well-baby visit. She had tubes after #5 last year.

The progression in antibiotic strength is to prevent resistance to antibiotics that has become a major issue as new antibiotics have not been developed in many years (not for a lack of trying on behalf of scientists and pharmaceutical companies). Amoxicillin is the weakest currently, Omnicef is one of the stronger ones. If the ear infections persist, there's another issue that needs to be resolved.

I know my opinion isn't popular, but it's the one most confirmed by medical practice and guidelines currently.

The question I'd ask, as a mom, is what the effects will be for not treating with another antibiotic or a visit to the ENT.

Good luck. Hoping you get through the remainder of the season without another one.

chiropractic!! It's helped my kids and several others I know.

at the first sign of a cold or congestion I take my girls to the chiropractor. My daughters are 5 and 4 and they've been getting monthly adjustments since they were infants. Neither of them have had an ear infection. I suffered from many ear infections as a kid and as a young adult. I have had none since I started seeing a chiropractor. We also take multi-vitamins, fish-oils and probiotics that are physician grade (only available from a licensed physician - our chiro). Chiropractic is safe, gentle and effective - my girls have yet to be on any antibiotic.
A friends daughter got tubes 8 months ago and has still had 3 ear infections. She usually needs 2 rounds of Omnicef now to clear up the infections. I have suggested chiro to them - but they have not yet tried it.

I agree with the person who says Chiropractic care!!! My 2nd daughter had a double ear infection for 3 straight months. Her doctor wanted yet another round of antibiotics but I protestesd. The same day as this appointment I called the chiropractor to give it a try (I hadn't tried it for the kids yet). By THE NEXT DAY, my daughter was no longer fussy, there was no drainage out of her nose, no more temperature, and she slept. She was completely recovered in 2 days.

I have since used Chiropractic care for both of my children and it helps them every single time!
BTW, a chiropractor visit cost us about $27. The dr. visit was $90 and more antibiotics would have been even more$$.
Good luck
R.

A chiropractor will help a ton! I work for one and we have great results. Another factor is to massage the neck right below the ears to help them drain. you can use a hot water bottle or a warm wet towel to help too!

Hi A.,

A chiropractor will do wonders to treat and prevent ear infections! My youngest has gone to the chiropractor since she was a baby. She has never had an ear infection and never taken antibiotics. My son had several before we knew to take him to the chiropractor since we started him, I think he has maybe had one. We go to Dr. Arvay in Northglenn. He's righ off 104th and 1-25. He is awesome and wonderful with the kids! Here is the number ###-###-####

Hi A.,
Here are part one and two on chiro care. Also, inflammation can cause ear infections, white flour, sugar and dairy are all culprits of inflammation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7zn3rCKBec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9p5SVPcJyA
I hope that helps!
L.

I have my kiddos checked out by a chiropractor every week. In the 6 years that I've been a mom we have only experienced 1 ear infection and that was last year when my oldest was 5. Getting kids adjusted works!!!

Wow, you've received a ton of responses. My son had chronic ear infections when he was one. He actually already had tubes because he was born with a cleft palate. But the weird thing is the infections came after the tubes were put in.

My first suggestion, go to and ENT and have them swab his ear and do a culture on it so they can find the specific treatment for the kind of infection he has now. After many antibiotics and nothing took the infections away, the ENT prescribed some eye drops that we put in his ear, and he hasn't had an infection since.

I haven't tried this one, but i've heard colodial silver is good for ear infections too. Good luck.

We were in this situation last winter with my son. After several rounds of antibiotics, I started him on a probiotic called Natren Life Start. I just added it to his juice or milk and I don't think we have had one since. You can google it online as it's cheaper by the case vs per bottle. I found it at our local Sprouts store, but I'm sure Vitamin Cottage or another Natural grocer would also carry it. Good luck!!

There are 2 things you can do in the bath to help them. First while you are washing his hair just rub his ears while you have shampoo in your hands. Then after he lays in the water to get his hair washed tip his head from side to side and rub his ears to get the water out. That will help clean out the ears. When he complains about his ear hurting take white vinegar and warm water 1:1 and take a q-tip and get it wet with the solution. Tip his head to the side and let 2 drops drop into his ear canal from the q-tip and work it around. Do this in both ears. Within 1 to 2 applications the ear infection will be gone and you don't have to use antibiotics.

try cutting back on milk or replacing it with soy. worked for us!

I see lots of great ideas below...I was in a similar situation a few months ago. My daughter had five ear infections and five rounds of antiobiotics in three months! We were referred to an ENT who told us that they do not typically refer kids to get tubes unless they have had 6 ear infections in 6months or something like that. A week after the appointment with the ENT, my daughter had another infection. A few weeks later we went back to the ENT and although she did not still have an infection, there was fluid in her ears so they said she was right on the cusp of being eligible for tubes.

Everyone I had talked to said that tubes did wonders for their ears. We scheduled my daughter's tube for four weeks later and sure enough, when we got there, she had fluid in both ears that were verging on infection so I am glad we did this!

I was told by my pediatrician that there are three main causes of ear infections: 1. Taking a bottle to bed (and the liquid seeping into the ears) 2. People smoking around the children 3. Genetics (both my husband and I have had lots of problems and ear infections as children. So there was really nothing we could do to prevent her ear infections going forward. I was like you and did not want to keep giving my little girl antioiotics because they were causing her to get yeast infections and were not doing any good and were costing me an arm and leg each month in dr and ent visits and medication.

We had the tubes put in 2.5 weeks ago and everything seems to be back on track!

Whether you choose go see an ENT, get tubes, go to a chiropractor, take vitamins, etc, do whatever you FEEL is right for your family.

When my daughter was a baby, any time she would get a cold it would lead to an ear infection, and it happened often. My friend who is a Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist recommended I put her on an herb called
Xiao Chai Hu San.
I gave it to her daily in some apple sauce and she never had a problem with the taste, and I did it from about Sept.-April, the time when ear infections are most rampant. It's been a few years now, but if I recall, I don't think she got another infection after I started her on it--maybe one, but nothing like how it was before, so I would say in our case it definitely made a difference! I also didn't want to keep putting her on antibiotics, so this was a good solution--Check it out! Good luck!

I get horrid ear infections if i get water (even the smallest amount) in my ears. so after every shower, water gun fight, stray drop of rain that somehow manages to go in my stinkin ear I have to lay down and put a mixture of half vinegar and half rubbing alcohol into each ear for 10 minutes each. I havent had an infection in almost 3 years. I also take sudafed 24 hr when i can feel pressure behind my ears. good luck!!

This is going to sound silly but every time you think an ear infection is coming on put a couple of drops of organic garlic oil in his ears (sometimes I even warm it up a little). This helps his ears feel better and garlic is a natural cure-all. It helps his body fight the infection. That doesn't mean it is guaranteed to go away but I had pretty good success.

My youngest did indeed get tubes in her ears. Turns out they can have permanent hearing damage to their ears if left to reoccur. Ask your doc to give you a recommendation to an ENT. This doesn't mean you need to get tubes, you just need to make sure all is ok. Waiting until they are 5 in hopes that no damage will occur is crazy.

Good luck! Hope this all helps.

I would say if you don't have to have a referral to a specialist (ENT) then I would make an appointment today to see them. I have 2 boys and they had recurring ear infections. Our first peditrician kept telling me not to worry about it. But I got tired of hearing that and having to keep giving my son the antibiotic. So I found an ENT and made an appointment. Since having the tubes in my 5 year old has had one (maybe once since the tubes fell out) but my 16 month just got them put in. He is a way different boy and I think having the tubes will help. All the anibiotics can ruin the kids' teeth as well. So be careful. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Magnesium deficiency. It causes recurrent ear/sinus/vaginal and lung infections.

MILK can be a culprit in ear infections. Milk tends to make secretions thick and tacky (hence bacteria sticks to it) but, milk also contributes to magnesium deficiency because of the high calcium to low magnesium ratio in it.

Kidcalm and babycalm are dosed Mg products you can find online that use Mg citrate I believe.. Magnesium malate is also a good source, it is recognized by the body as food.

Vit A helps with mucossal tissues also. Cod liver oil is a good source of A, this can be found at walmart or any pharmacy.

Hi
I am a homeopath, and I treated all of my kids ear infections with homeopathy only - I never used any antibiotics, which by the way, actually weakens the immune system. I would look for a local homeopath, if you can find one, or if you wish, you can contact me for phone or email consultation.
My experience with homeopathy is, that if you give the right remedy, it works incredibly fast, with no side effects, and it strengthens the system as well.

I would definitely give eliminating all dairy a try. It worked miracles for us. I would not replace with soy milk however, as there are questions about the effects of the hormones. I have found a wonderful replacement for milk in a coconut milk beverage. It is very similar in taste and consistency to milk. It is also fortified with calcium, vitamin d, and other vitamins. The brand is called So Delicious, and they make yogurt and ice cream as well. You can get it in the natural food section at the Fred Meyer in Meridian or at the Co-Op. I was skeptical about this myself, but my son actually avoided having to have a second surgery because of this diet change. Both of my children (ages 4 and almost 2) have struggled with ear infections, and both have had tubes. We are completely dairy free at our house, and it makes such a major difference in our health. Good luck!

There is a ruleset out there some where for how many infections will let you get tubes - both my kids have them THANK GOD!!! My daughter had 11 by the time she was 1!.

Having said that, try to get thorough to summer. If he can get through summer w/o another one, that's a good sign. If not, consider another opinion, maybe get a referral to an ENT. OR do you think he may have allergies that are leading to the ear infections?

Good luck, I know how frustrating it can be.

I had a lot of ear infections as a child because of enlarged adenoids that partially blocked my eustachian tubes (the tubes that connect the inner ear to the back of the throat). As far as I know there are two types of inner ear "infections", an actual bacterial or viral infection that requires medication, or just a build up of fluid in the ear. The one thing I have learned that helps tremendously with fluid build up is to just drink lots and lots of water at the first hint of pressure in my ears. The fluid in the ears is just mucus that is too thick to drain down the eustachian tubes. Drinking lots of water helps to thin that mucus down so it will drain and relieve the pressure on the eardrum. It helps with sinus and nasal congestion, too.

Another cheap thing to use is hydrogen peroxide. Soak a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide, lay your child on his side (preferably while watching TV to distract!) and then squeeze it into his ear until the inner canal is filled. It will probably bubble up. Let it sit for 5 minutes, soak it up with a tissue and do the other ear. This is one of the things that really helped me and my daughter when we both couldn't get better. The other thing that helped was drinking 1 tsp. of apple cider vinegar in 12 oz. of water. I put a small amount in my daughter's juice too. I hope that helps!