Ear Ache

Hylands homeopathics has fabulous ear remedies that are in the kids' meds aisle at Whole Foods. We also use them preventatively when we fly or if the kids are swimming a lot. My kids are now all teens and have never needed an antibiotic for their ears!
: )

A., first of all I have to point out that you're making a potentially dangerous mistake saying "I don't want them giving her antibiotics". The strep they treated in Feb. is most likely gone, and this may possibly be a new infection secondary to whatever illness you all had last week. A new infection, if it is bacterial, would require a new, perhaps different, antibiotic, and only her doctor may be able to determine that!
However, the lack of fever suggests that it may be ear congestion...which will respond to a child's decongestant such as sudafed, a hot shower, warm liquids (mom's chicken soup!) or even a nasal spray. You can try some of these, and if she doesn't feel better or gets worse or develops a fever then please call the doctor. You being in the medical field probably have doctors around you at work who would give you the same advice.

Similasan Earache Relief is at Walgreens

I recommend taking her to a chiropractor or cranialsacral practitioner. It helps tremendously because when the spine is out of alignment it interferes with how the nervous system communicates with the body and can lead to dysfunction. Most people don't realize that chiropractic helps the function of the body, not just neck and back pain. My nephews and nieces have been going since birth and they rarely have to go to a medical doctor.

All the best!

If you are still nursing your 3 yr. old or know a close family member or friend that's lactating, put some breastmilk drops in her ear several times a day.

How about ear drops? If you really end up having to take her to the doctor just let him know your concern and ask him to recommend something other than antibiotics. No one will give you better advice on what to give your child better than the doctor. Good luck!! And hope you all feel better soon.

Too much use of antibiotics is a concern because it causes resistant strains of bacteria to proliferate. Try to build your family's overall health by boosting your immune systems with really good vitamins, especially vitamin c which helps us heal and drink lots of water too. Water is very important because lots of our metabolic processes depend on it and water makes up a large percentage of our body, especially in kids. Hope this helps.

I would keep a watchful eye on the ear ache. My daughter complained and complained of her ear hurting her. $25 later (our co pay) and she did NOT have an ear infection. Now, I've had plenty ear infections myself and I never had to take oral antibiotics. Instead, I got ear drops. And, I never had a fever with any ear infection I've ever had. If the pain worsens, then you will have to take her in but do ask about ear drops instead of oral antibiotics. Ear infections are a pain...literally but if it turns out to be just an ache, you'll be glad you waited instead of running to the doctor.

An old remedy my Grandma used to use. Slightly warm some baby oil. You can do this in the microwave, but only for about 15-20 seconds, or in a small pot on the stove. Rememberly, only warm, not hot. Place about 3-5 drops in the affected ear, and place a cotton ball in the ear to keep the oil from draining out. Let your child lay with the head on the side of the good ear for at least 10 minutes. This may be hard with a little one, but perhaps you could read a book or watch cartoons with her. Do this 3 times a day for 2-3 days. The oil seems to relieve the pressure on the inside of the ear. Try it, you have nothing to lose. If things aren't better, you may have to bring her to the doctor to get it checked.

Greetings,

I have found that the Naturopathic drops or tablets work very good. You can find them at Whole Foods or other Health Food stores. I applaude your efforts to avoid the antibiotics!

Wild Oats or Whole Foods Market should have a wonderful product I used to use when my children had ear-aches. It is called Willow/Garlic ear oil and it is from Herbs for Kids. If you can find a doctor who doesn't think antibiotics are a cure-all, he may even prescribe it.

Try a little warm olive oil or sweet oil in her ear. To warm it, put the oil in a dropper and just run it under the hot water a minute or so. Put just a drop in her ear and have her lie on her side so it can get in the ear canal really well. It should help. If she won't stay put, try, after putting the drops in, using a piece of cotton ball so it doesn't run out of her ear. Sometimes just the warmth of the oil will make it go away.

An ear ache doesnt exactly mean that there is an infection, she might just need to have her ear syringed with warm water maybe from a build up of wax this happens sometimes, as well as if its an ear infection putting her on antibiotics would be best i know you dont want her on alot of medication but its best to catch it while its mild and before it spreads and cause other irreversable problems

I have not read all the responses to see if this was recommended or not.....but if you have an oppurtunity to take her to a chiropractor it will help tremendously. I have a really good pediatric chiro that I go to in Margate. If you would like his # email me at ____@____.com
I have been taking my kids to him since they were born and they are rarely sick and if they do get sick then it's not real bad. If the spine is aligned properly then the body is able to function better.....and think about it.....kids are always jumping, falling, etc so there spines are always getting out of alignment. I go once a week for spine maintenance and it really helps. When my kids have had ear infections I go to him and tell him what's going on and he does a slighly different adjustment on the neck so that it gets the ear draining of the infectious stuff in there. I hope this helps! C.

Hi A.,

I am also an x-ray tech and I recently heard something about some drops (something to do with Olive Oil). I would check with a health food store or google home remedies. When I was at the Boynton museum a mom had them there and was giving them to another mom. They said it works great. www.DiscoveryToysLink.com/LisaRyan
LisaM

I would not ignore an earache it could result in hearing loss. If doc says anti-biotics are needed use them. After the antibiotics are finished give an acidophilus supplement or yogurt daily to help balance her system again.

As far as I know ear infections are not something to mess with....your child's hearing can get damaged permantly.....go to the doctor and maybe they can prescribe drops instead of antibiotic, I wouldn't wait..........

I would take her to the doctor and say "I'd prefer not to give her antibiotics because she was just on them in February for strep." It's not like the doctor can force-feed them to her. You'll feel better if the doctor at least checks her out. Not that I want to freak you out, but I know adults who suffered permanent hearing loss as children due to ear infections. Better safe than sorry!

Hi A.

I agree with the mom that recommended the "Herbs for Kids" Garlic & Willow ear drops, I love them I even use them on myself and my hubby and they even help with a sore throat. I also agree with finding a good upper cervical chiropractor and boosting vitamins such as vitamin C for immune support. I can also recommend "Herbs for Kids" Echinacea & Goldenroot for immune support as well as a pro-biotic for all of you especially after taking an anti-biotic. It keeps your immune system working more efficiently. Also keep in mind that most ear infections will run their course on their own. Much luck to you.

An ear ache in a child is serious and nothing to play around with and if not treated early, it can lead to deafness. You could ask the doctor for a treatment for the yeast infection that results from taking the antibiotics or you can give here yogurt to replace her natural germs. My sister was just in time to correct the deafness in her one year old but I have know of parents with a 10 year old that was lip reading them. It took them a while to realize. He had to get hearing aids.

I never mess around with a ear ache in my children.