Question 2 for the Day - Ear Infection and Also Ecsema

1. I recommend that, if you don't want to deal with permanent hearing loss, you go and get a good antibiotic to knock your ear infection out.

2. A bath with a small amount of regular, unscented bleach has been proven to help with the itch and healing of eczema. Here's some good information about how to do it and how much bleach you should use in your tub. DO NOT APPLY UNDILUTED BLEACH TO YOUR SKIN.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eczema-bleach-bath/AN02003/

Diane B.: Selling whatever you're selling doesn't make you an expert on treating various ailments. Yes, you DO need two meds for two separate issues like eczema and an ear infection. And YES, you CAN put 4oz of bleach in 40gallons of water and be perfectly safe. There's more chlorine in the public pool! Also, don't post things like "Comprehensiveness is what all the research is showing." unless you're prepared to back it up with citations of studies, or at least a reputable medical advice site (that isn't selling your products)!

Taking antibiotics for an ear infection that is causing hearing loss is important. Get a scrip for it and be done with it, or try homeopathy and risk your hearing. You could also develop vertigo if your ear infection isn't treated, and then you'll probably end up with both an antibiotic and a very potent steroid to try to dry up all the fluid in your ears.

You need to get your immune system up. Maybe seeing a nutrionist can help. I know that Grandmas chicken noodle soup works becuase of the onion and the garlic in it. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, and helps your body fight off infecction.

Yes, a cap full of bleach in the bath water does help with ezcema- Several people I know have had the drs tell them to use that and with small children/babies.

Good luck

Ear infections: Find a good chiropractor who can figure out if you have problems in your neck that are increasing your chances of ear infections.

Immune boosting: Best immune booster for us northern climate folks is vitamin D. You can ask your doctor to test your vitamin D levels, high probability you are deficient. We take 5000 IU daily from Sept.-May

Sun exposure/eczema: I got this when I went to Florida this May. I was using a good sunscreen but still developed horrible, itchy bumps all over my feet and shins that turned into a nasty mess. Use a top rated sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and limit exposure of sensitive areas. No sandals for me this summer because the sunscreen rubs off in places from the straps.

I think that an ear infection should be treated with ear drop antibiotics. That is less intrusive to your system and it gets to the root of the issue.

Ear infections can cause permanent damage to the ears and hearing.

My son has eczema and unfortunately the summer months are rough for him. I try to keep him inside when it is very hot. Hard for an adult to do I am sure. You might need to find a good breathable shoe that covers your entire foot (no sandals). I definitely see a difference in my sons skin when it is exposed to the hot sun. Unfortunately he really gets it kinda all over but mainly behind his knees and elbows. His allergist prescribed a topical oil for him called Derma Smooth. He wasn't getting results from his regular doctor so we went to an allergist (who treated his allergies and eczema).

I swear by apple cider vinegar to boost my immune system and a cure for everything and anything. I drink 2 tsp a day right before I brush my teeth in the morning (you must rinse very well as the acid can eat away at tooth enamel). ACV gives a boost to your lymph nodes to help filter toxins from your body. A mom on my daughter's soccer team introduced me to grapefruit seed extract - she mixes it with fruit juice - that is also supposed to be a great immune booster. I haven't tried it yet, but from what I've read, it works.

If you are aren't already doing so, I recommend adding a probiotic supplement to your diet. If you've been on antibiotics, all the good bacteria from your gut is gone. Taking a probiotic puts all the good bacteria back in your gut to help you fight off infection.

As for the ear infection/ache, use a bulb syringe to place ACV in your ear and a wet hot washcloth on top of it. Lay on the opposite side so the ACV can do it's magic on the affected ear. Do this multiple times daily until the pain in your ear subsides.

To prevent swimmer's ear with my kids I put vinegar and alcohol in their ears when they get out of the pool/lake. The alcohol dries up any water remaining in the ear and the vinegar kills any possible bacteria that's in the ear - thus preventing painful swimmer's ear that kids often get.

http://www.earthclinic.com/ is a great resource for natural remedies to common and not so common ailments. Good luck!

can you wear shoes? if that helps th ezcema i would be wearing shoes instead of sandals.

If you are sick of taking antibiotics, then you have a compromised immune system because you are catching everything. So yes, immune system boosting is critical to ward off not only infections but inflammation and many other issues.

You also have eczema which has a strong autoimmune component. Yes, immune system boosting. There are some things out there which benefit the whole body. There's also a whole lot of hype. I don't recommend that you take something for ear infections and something else for skin issues and something else for whatever else ails you. Comprehensiveness is what all the research is showing. There's also a lot of solid science on epigenetics, which is getting your genes to express themselves properly - a lot of mis-fires in the switching is the cause of most disease.

I cannot imagine why someone would suggest bleach for eczema! Most doctors will tell you that it's toxic (to you, to the environment) and it can cause liver damage. Eczema is not caused by something on the surface of the skin so it cannot be treated that way. Topical steroids can help with some of the horrible itching, but they are for short-term use only, and they don't get at the cause. I think you misunderstood the doctor - sun exposure doesn't cause eczema. Sun, dryness, extreme cold, and other conditions can aggravate it but that's not what causes it!

Systemic supplementation is the way to go. If this interests you, message me and I'll give you more info.

Oh..you poor thing.

I am no doctor. But, in our home we do ear drops often for outer ear infections because we swim ALL THE TIME. mix equal parts vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Our doctor gave us the "recipe" and I have seen it floating around swimming social networking websites. It kills bacteria that bread in your ear with standing water. But there are bacterial and viral ear infections. These drops only help you with bacterial outer ear infections before it is super inflamed.

But...ear infections hurt like the dickens...especially at night when you lay down. Go see a doctor. Your sister diagnosed you...now go get an antibiotic. You will be feeling better within 24 hours.

As for the feet...I have no idea what to do. Good luck!!! Maybe a steroid cream?? Keep them moisturized and covered. That makes me cringe...cuz I live in flip flops pretty much year round. :)

Good luck sweetie...you have a lot going on right now. Take care!!