7-Month Old with Ear Infection Screaming/crying After 3 Days

Every time that both of my cousin's girls got teeth they got ear infections with it. It was almost how they knew a tooth was coming in.

Hi C.,
I can sooo sympathize with you...My daughter suffered many ear infections, the first one at just 3 months old...after 7 ear infections she finally had to get tubes put in..and I must say it was the best thing we ever did....One suggestion I do have for you is that maybe the antibiotic prescribed isnt working....out of 5 antibiotics my daughter was on only 2 of them actually worked...but on another note it could be teething also....I didnt have a hard time with my daughter and teething so unfortunately I cant offer much help there...sorry....Do you have an ear recheck scheduled? I might give his pediatricians office a call and tell them what is going on....better to be safe than sorry!! Hope this helps!!
Meg

I would defintinely call the dr. and ask their opinion. Ask him or her if there is anything topical you can put into the ear to directly relieve the pain.

For umpteen years moms & doctors have been debating the correlation between ear infections & teething. Moms say yes, dr.'s say no. Who knows. My kids never had ear infections while teething, but my friend's children did.

I do not think it is a misdiagnosis persay because an infected ear is very easy to spot as it is very red & irritated when examined. Also teething last s a long time. My daughter began teething at 2 months and her first tooth finally erupted at 8 months. So it really is not that much of a coincidence if he is experiencing both, but having both at the same time is probably very uncomfortable.

Regardless, your child needs some relief, so ask the dr.

A.

Dear C.,

Teething symptoms can definitely mimic an ear infection, and teething can also exacerbate an existing ear infection. When my son had "ear plus teeth," he was MISERABLE.

However, if your son is still screaming/crying after 48 hours on antibiotics, I strongly recommend taking him back to the pediatrician. Teething usually leads to a fussing level of pain, not a crying/screaming level. If your son has a bacterial infection that isn't responding to a particular antibiotic, that's something his ped. should be able to handle pretty easily, but it DOES need to be closely monitored.

Take care, and best of luck,

Mira

HI! Talk to your doctor about ways to help but it is very possible that the baby has a double wammy! Also it is possible that the teeth may cause the ear infections. I have had doctors tell me that teeth could not cause the ear infections and doctors tell me they could. Either way the poor baby is miserable and so are you. Try giving him something cool that he can chew on and it may help the tooth pain. Also there is a topical medication that you rub on the gums that help with the pain. I'm sorry I don't remember the name but ask your doctor or pharmacist. Good Luck!

Actually its probably the teething that CAUSED the ear infection.

http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/health/2221008/

Sounds like a middle ear infection

http://www.teething-teeth.com/Ear_Infection.html

And because the medication is not working it is probably viral.

call the office to see if they have additional advice

M

Hi C.,

Supposedly, an ear infection to an infant is like being stabbed 100 times to an adult. My daughter is about to turn one, and she has had about 7. I am hesitant to get her tubes, but that's a different issue. I will tell you that an ear infection can't be misdiagnosed. It's something you can actually see. I think that one of two things are happening, either the antibiotics are not working or it something more, and you should definitely go back to the doctor even if you think it may amount to nothing.

I know that when my daughter has an ear infection, she gets antibiotics and drops (like Novocaine) that numb her ear, and she is different girl. I also sometimes give her motrin. I am very opposed to drugs BTW, but can't stand to see her in pain.

And...don't laugh, but one time, while screaming at the top of her lungs, the doctor flipped her around and dipped her back in an effort to "shift" the fluid in her ears, and I swear, she stopped crying. It was an old Central American trick he had learned.

Teething - when you give him something to chew on, does it sooth him?

I hope your son will be okay!

Thanks, R.

It relatively could just be both. Some kids get ear infections in reference to getting teeth. Keep giving your child the meds and prescribed the the ped. and also try Hylands teething tablets, in young children they work wonders for new teeth. I gave them to my daughter when she was like 5-6 months old and it took the pain away almost immediately. They are at walmart in the baby aisle.. Best of luck I know it can be tiresome and irritating.

Usually, when an ear infection is diagnosed it is because they can see a color change in the ear with the otoscope. It seems like maybe you are going through both. Teething can mimic an ear infection. My daughter drools, gets diaper rash,and tugs at her ears for every tooth she has gotten (6) so far. You can call and have the dr. recheck th eear if you think the medicine isn't working though. Good Luck, and hang in there!
C. (SAHM to 8yo, 5yo, and 10 mo.)

MOst of the time teething causes an ear infection. the swelling of the teeth reduces the drainage capability of the ear. In turn causing the ear to get infected. Happened to both my children at least 3 times. Call the Doctor. and maybe try the motrin more than the tylenol. It lasts a lot longer. If it is teething, baby teething products are a God sent. They even have natural ones. Good luck

sounds like he may need an Rx for a new antibiotic... call your pediatrician if you have not done so. We went through a stretch when my youngest was that age. The ear infections would not go away. It was so tough and trying. In the end two days of Penicilin shots did the trick. I hope he is feeling better soon!

it is absolutely possible that your son is suffering from the ear pain, due to his teething. Try some Humphrey's teething tablets along with the motrin which is an anti inflammatory and the antibiotics. I, would also contact the pediatrician to see what he suggests. He should not be in this much distress after having been on meds for a few days...

Hi C.,
Ear infections are caused by bacteria or viruses. If he has a viral infection, the antibiotics don't work at all. Unfortunately, that is really hard. Lots of fluids, (more water / no juice) The sugars in the juices slow down his immune system making it more difficult for him to heal.

My daughter had a lot of infections from allergies. I used to give her benadryl to dry up the mucus in her ear which always relieved the pain. Tylenol only masks it temporarily.
Now, with my second daughter who is not so prone I take a cotton ball, soak it in rubbing alcohol and squeeze about 5 drops in.
What I learned is that (like when I had swimmers ear) the alcohol mixes with the fluid and helps it to dry up or evaporate. She also seems to experience immediate relief from this and has never even required antibiotics for the 3 ear infections she has had. (she is 20 months old).

For teething, go to Shop Rite, in the baby isle you'll see little bottles of white pills for teething. Humphry's. They're great, my daughter loves them and I noticed a marked improvement when she was given them. They're very safe.
I wish you the best, sorry your little one feels so poorly.
-H.

Yes, they are connected...the immune system lowers when a tooth or teeth are getting ready to break through, so even though your doctor may say that getting teeth doesn't cause a fever it isn't uncommon for a teething child to get something else on top of it. My 5th son is now just 20 months old...his first teething expirence he ended up in the hospital for 3 days with pnemonia(can I tell you the argument I had with my husband...he was telling me to chill,by our fifth child I should be able to handle teeth...then we ended up in the hospital-he got 2 teeth in the hospital), the next two times he got teeth he burst his eardrum...watch the infected ear for blood or pus...if it comes out don't clean it because your doctor will want to see it...and the last 2 times he's gotten teeth a high fever and a cold...not that you wanted my sons medical background...sorry...to make a short answer too long, yes they can be related and some kids are just more prone to it, and I just stopped nursing him not to long ago(I know they say if you nurse less likely on the ear infections)...I hope this reply doesn't frustrate you, I just wanted you to know that it does happen...and if he stops crying all of the sudden that's usually a good sign that the eardrum burst...the pain goes away immediately...if he doesn't clear up with fever by 2 days on the antibiotic call your doctor because not all meds work on everyone...goodluck! I hope you guys are luckier than we were but if not, know you're not alone!

Hi C.!

My kids were terrible with teething but I can tell you, nothing like an ear infection. I too would suggest that you bring your son back to the doctor to ensure that the medication is working. I would be surprised if the screaming/crying was just from the teething. The medication may not be working. My younger daughter had to go back after 3 days of being prescribed amoxicillin because it didn't work for her. My neighbors daughter also. After 3 days you should see relief. I also think the motrin would help with the teething. But who knows, all kids are different :o)

S.

Yep, I think you hit the nail on the head. If he was diagnosed for an ear infection, it might just be Murphy's Law that he is teething. Also, you must remember, the earline is connected to the jawline, any swelling going on in his ears may be causing pressure and he may be suffering from headaches too poor thing. Soothe as best as you can, it's always so hard to watch our babies suffer through illnesses. Make sure you follow up with his pediatrician if he does not improve. Good Luck!

C.,

You can mix 12 drops of olive oil with 1 drop of tea tree oil and put it directly in your babies ear. If it is an ear infection or pain in the ear that is causing the problem, this will help if not completely clear it up. A friend of mine did this with her daughter and it completely cleared up the problem. This is a safe remedy.

With every new tooth, my daughter had an ear infection. The docs will tell you that they are unrelated but my experience says that they are. My mother says the same was true for me, when I was a baby.
The best thing I did for my daughter was (believe it or not) to stop all antibiotics and let the ear infection run its course with pain relievers given as needed. Once I stopped the antibiotics, my daughter's 11 month course of recurring ear infections was over! It took about 3-4 days, but she NEVER had another ear infection. She is now 12 years old.

I am a health care professional and this advice was given to me by my chiropractor. At the time (11 years ago), the pediatricians were oopposed to NOT giving antibiotics for ear infections, but now they are more likely to recommend giving it a try. It is rare in Europe to put a baby on antibiotics for otitis media (middle ear infection).

So sorry to hear about your little guys pain. I was there at 7 months too. Ear infections, antibotics eventually tubes. I would talk to the doc at the recheck. Ask her too about the teeth. My son also only resonded to the Augmentin and the Omnicef antibotics. Although they are rough on the stomach there was remarkable difference in 24 hrs. Good luck, don't worry you will have restful nights once again. A.

I literally JUST got home from the pediatrician because i thought my 6 1/2 month old had an ear infection but it turns out IT'S "JUST" TEETHING! So yes, the two can appear similar - my pediatrician said so, too, and sometimes the only way to tell the difference is by looking in their ears.

My little boy used to be a great eater and sleeper - now he's waking up one to two times per night SCREAMING and cries through his bottles, never finishing one. The Tylenol and Motrin only seem to take the edge off.... and nothing else has really been a magical remedy either.

I don't know what to tell you except that you're not alone! You should probably get his ears re-checked just to make sure the anti-biotic is working... but if they look better you can join my club. It meets at 2:30 am. :)

It is entirely possible that the teething caused the ear infection! I know that many Dr's say that does not happen, but in my experience with my 2 1/2 yo and 1 yo, it happens! Every time my som would teethe he would get another ear infection...followed by the tooth. It got to the point that he could never get rid of the fluid in his ears and ended up with tubes! My Daughter has also had ear infections, followed by teeth. To ease the pain, which obviously tylenol and motrin can only help so much, use orajel. It is like night and day. This was the only way my dd could sleep when teething.

Have you considered "ear coning". It is an awesome theraputic technique to remove infection/fluids from the ears without medicines or surgery. I have gone to have done on me and my children and it is remarkable!

Good luck and I hope this was helpful.

My son had multiple ear infections - so I do know a little about this. It may be the teeth - but go back to the doctor to make sure that the infection is clearing up! He may not be responding to the antibiotic and may need another one. This happened to me, and the 3rd one (Augmentem) seemed to work the best. Good luck!