Aside from ear tubes... As anyone just let an ear infection ride out, keeping their child comfortable by rotating ibprofen and acetaminophen every 4 hours, instead of using antibiotics?
My 3 year old has one, and I'll probably take her to the doctor tomorrow since the holidays are coming up (want to clear up that infection). However, I remember hearing that in Europe they don't treat ear infections, just let them clear up on their own. I always hear in the news of how the "germs" are becoming immune to the antibiotics because we give it to our kids too much (in broad, general population terms).
*Added: for the most part, I understand/thought that most ear infections are the result of a cold...leftover fluids can't drain and "pool" in the ear canals...
I took my DD in on the 4th day of the infection, as she still had a fever the night before (48+ hours of fever), and she has a history of pretty severe ear infections. Also, in light of the coming holiday and travel I wanted to get it cleared up. Also, she had an ear infection in early Nov. so maybe this was connected? So we're on Omniseft (sp?) for 10 days. The doctor was shocked how bad it was.
Anyway, while there I also had the doc check my other daughter's ears (1 1/2) as she's been up 2 nights in a row, and of course, ear infection. So both girls are taking the "num num" for Christmas break!
Though, the doctor did say that 85% of ear infections clear up on their own, and mentioned how the practices are so different in Europe (i.e. they don't treat) (and this was a different doctor in the practice than the one we usually see). Next time, I will try to wait it out 48 to 72 hours...
We go to the chiro weekly and, whether related or not, my son has only had 2 ear infections. The first was cleared up by the 3rd day of antibiotics. The second one was cleared up after 10days of antibiotics - the peed wanted him on a stronger antibiotic for another 14 days - I opted to have the chiro adjust him each day for 3 days in a row to see if any improvement happened. That ear infection was gone after the 3rd adjustment.
Good luck!
Do you have access to Melaleuca oil? If so, feel free to message me and I'll give you specifics from The Wellness Guide on use for ear infections. (It should be mixed with warm olive oil as a carrier, not used full strength.) Good luck!
Hi J.,
There are several tried and true solutions to ear infections. Chiropractic care will build the immune system so the ear will heal on it's on. That's always our first line of defense. Juiced onion can be used in a dropper to put in the ear. Everytime I've seen it done the infection is gone the next morning. Melaleuca oil (one drop) which is antibiotic and also antifungal, can be put in a carrier oil (one teaspoon) like olive or lanolin and dropped into the ear.
Prevention is the best solution but when one comes along....
God bless,
M.
Antibiotics are NOT the only solution! Many ear infections are viral, and are not affected at all by antibiotics, which treat only infections caused by bacteria. Many physicians overprescribe antibiotics to kids to appease parents, who believe they are the only method of treatment for any illness. This has resulted in super bugs (MRSA, VRE, etc). Treat the symptoms in your little one for a few days, if it's a virus it should run it's course and you'll see improvement. Only if it persists should an antibiotic be used.
My neighbor's daughter was plagued with ear infections so she started taking her to the chiropractor and having her ears adjusted (I had no idea they could do that lol) and the ear infections stopped. So no, antibiotics are not they only answer. Hope your child feels better!
Well, as a result of many ear infections and perforated ear drums as a child, my mother (age 88) has had many ear surgeries, ear tubes as an adult, and skin grafts on her ear drum (again as an adult). She is dependent on hearing aids (I realize many adults need them as they get older).
I would rather go ahead and treat the ear infection with antibiotics....
I know of one way to prevent an ear infection that works for me and my family. We go for chiropractic adjustments. We go for well visits and if my daughter or I feel a cold coming on we go in. Our chiropractor can adjust our necks to help our ears and sinuses drain. My daughter is 5 and has never taken or needed antibiotics, she has never had an ear infection or a sinus infection.
Since your child may already have an ear infection I wouldn't wait to get it checked by the doctor. Until your visit with the doc you can apply a warm compress on the ear and neck (not too hot) it can help it drain. Also have her lay on an angle.
I always use oregano oil , garlic and olive oil in a dropper. Let it set and lay flat on a heating pad to draw out the infection. I have used ear candles on other people with luck, but they don't do much for me.
The oregano oil and garlic oil are anti microbial and they naturally disinfect the area and not the whole body. The olive oil is merely for diluting the potency .
We've done chiropractic as well, plus I've seen it work for other kids also!
I did not give my kids antibiotics for EI's. Mydaughter had bad ones, and they wanted to finally put tubes in at age 3 or 4, and I said to wait one more year and she never had another EI after the planned surgery. Maybe it scared them out of her :). My son also some but not as many as my daughter. My doc said most are not baterial and all of my kids went away in a few days without any treatment other than pain meds of course. My son would puke without the pain meds I think from the pain, and my daughter ran high fevers. I think the longest infection with my daughter was almost two weeks, so they can last longer than 3 to 5 days and still go away. She is 6 now and her ears are perfect. Just had her hearing checked by a specialist because I homeschool her and she didn't get the hearing test she would have in school. And she is great. I would recommend treating for pain and fever, but hold off antibiotics if you can stand it.
When my kids were little and I thought they might be getting an ear infection, I would use garlic oil. You can purchase this at any nutrition store. It comes in little capsules. I would put one in my bra for a few minutes to warm it up, poke a little hole in the end with a pin and drop a few drops in their ears. I did this 2-3 times a day for about a week, give or take. Garlic has natural antibiotics and it didn't mess with their stomach/bowel system.
My kids rarely had to go on antibiotics when they were little because of this little trick.
It depends on the child and the age, according to my Pediatrician who does not like to prescribe for ear infections. My older daughter has ridden it out a couple of times and has been fine, but you need to watch them carefully. If the fever lasts for more than 24 hours or does not seem to get better after 2-3 days they have to go in.
Now the baby she has to go in at the slightest fever, because hers turn so quickly to the point where her ears swell and she runs a very very high fever. They don't like to let her ride them out, because it can be more dangerous. It all depends on the kid and what is going on.
Many pediatricians now are much more careful about when they prescribe antibiotics. And yes, many things such as the oils etc. people are recommending here are reputed to be good. BUT...I would check with the pediatrician about using any of these things, and I definitely would take myc child to the pediatrician if there were a suspected ear infection and talk through it all with the doctor. The doctor might say yes, let's wait and see if it clears up, or no, it's worse than you think and needs antibiotics. Please don't assume that you will know when your child is "over" an infection without a doctor's exam. Someone posted how her child seemed to be over an infection but a month later was found to have a raging one. Kids do NOT always show any symptoms with ear infections -- they can act fine, say there's no pain, etc., and an infection can be present, possibly damaging their ears and hearing. Always get a check done to be certain.
Infections can clear up on their own, but leaving them untreated if treatment is what they need is asking for bigger problems. Same goes for strep -- I've seen moms here say "Why not just let it clear up." If left untreated it can become scarlet fever and is harder to treat.
Alternative stuff can help alleviate symptoms for sure and even clear up minor infections but I would always get a doctor to check as well.
Once on vacation my son had one. I gave him tylenol/motrin and in a couple days he was fine. A month later he was sick again, and I took him to the dr.s to find out he had a raging ear infection. We treated that one with antibiotics. I know that sometimes they go away with natural remedies, however, they can get worse and linger. When that happens, its' best to knock it out.
We did not give my son antibiotics when he had ear infections (he is now 6 and it's been a few years). His pediatrician was fine with this since in general they get better in the same time frame whether or not the kids get antibiotics. We did use tylenol since they are painful. (as an aside - we are a very mainstream medical family - our decision is based upon recommendations of the AAP position statement and the substantial amount of research on this issue)
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/113/5/1451....
Chiropractic 'works' for otitis for the same reason time does - it is a self limiting disease that for most kids goes away no matter what we do.
If it was my kid I would take them but I rode one out last march and I vowed never to do that again! My ear drum ruptured and I swear I've never been in that kind of pain in my life! Advil, Tylenol nothing helped that pain! I was in agony for about 3 days and couldn't hear from my ear for over 2 months. I would never want my kids to go through that! Just take her in.
Hi J.----I work with a forward thinking pediatrician who explored this very question. She found that antibiotics take about 2 days to 'work'. She also found that an ear infection starts to clear itself in....2 days.
Use warm compresses as well. Spicy chicken soup is said to help clear up congestion (realage.com). And eat lots and lots of veggies...as many colors as possible. The different colors are all different nutrients. Veggie nutrients are essential for healing. When the body is fighting infections, it needs even more fruits and veggies...and mostly fruits and veggies.
If your little one doesn't eat many fruits and veggies, feel free to contact me for ideas and strategies to get more into the family's daily diet. It's fun and easy and I'd be honored to help. Good luck. D.
Germs are becoming immune to antibiotics because of antibiotic use in livestock feed.
Makes no difference how we use them or not, as long as pigs, chickens and cows get the antibiotics they will continue to become useless.
Be careful with Tylenol, it can cause liver damage/failure.
And not treating ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss.
If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, use them - might as well while they are still somewhat effective.
If she gets many ear infections, get the tubes put in.
And if tonsils and adenoids are obstructing and causing problems, have them removed.
My daughter has had a moderate amount of ear infections. Recently when I noticed she was sticking her finger in her ear I gave her some ‘Wanda’s ear better oil’. It seems to have done the trick because she never got to the point where she said it was hurting & she stopped sticking her finger in her ear. I am only using it when I notice the first symptoms, if there is pain involved then I take her in for antibiotics. Good luck!
I would never just let an ear infection go. My son had them chronically when he was younger, at 18 months he had tubes put in. He has had a couple since the tubes fell out but we have gotten it taken care of before it got bad.
Now the reason why I wont let it go. My son has had his ear drums burst from an infection and the risk for hearing loss.
He can no longer take regular Augmentin due to the amount of antibiotic that he had to take. But the stronger ones do still work.
If you want to treat it without antibiotic one way to draw the infection out is put salt in a sock and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Put it under the ear and the warmth and the salt will draw out any fluid.
My 4 yo just had her first ear infection last month and I read from Dr Joseph Mercolas site that ear infections will clear up on their own in 72 hours. If it doesn't, THEN go to the doctor. Most will clear up in 3 days though. We stuck it out, and about 68 hours into it the Advil had worn off and she said her ear did not hurt anymore. :)
We use ear oil, you can make your or some health food stores have some great bottles. since myself and one of my kids are alergic to amox, we go this route first before heading in for drugs. I would say about 70% of the time we do not have to go in for amox, Most of the trips in are when they are/were really young and we didn't get that they had pain till it was deep into the infection.
