Recurrent ear infections in DD 6

[luckoftheirish]

My poor dd has yet another ear infection :-(

They are averaging out to be one every couple of weeks. Sick of the ear drops and anti bs. She goes swimming alot and have started putting tea tree oil in her ears pre swim. She is missing alot of school but docs says she will just grow out of them.

Any I can do to try and prevent them??

our ENT said ear plugs and head band as a minimum (Ear Bandit and Putty Buddies), sounds like it could be swimmers ear link says that prevention is covering ears and preventing water getting in them. I'd be keeping water out of them full stop (inc showers and baths) so they have a chance to heal.

have you seen an ENT consultant? our GPs were crap with ear infections, so I got DS referred to the ENT clinic. They may have more useful advice than 'she'll grow out of them'.

Might it be one underlying infection which never quite clears? If so, decongestant might help. It did with DS1 - he had 13 ear infections before he was 2. Had decongestant and has only had one in the following 3 years.
At 6 you can buy it from the chemist without a prescription I think.

As a child I had recurring ear infections all the time. I saw an ENT consultant in the end, had my adenoids out, grommets put in and never another problem! I can't remember all the details from the consultant obviously as I was only 8, but I do remember awful earache prior to the operation. Definitely try and see an ENT consultant if you can. Good luck.

Another vote for decongestants. DS was being constantly given antibiotics for recurrent ear infections when we had an appointment with one of the "old school" doctors in the practice. He said that as soon as DS as much as sniffled I was to immediately start him on decongestant - he gave us a prescription for a huge bottle. That was the end of the ear infections.

Thanks for all advice

Will get swimming stuff and decongestant today. Fingers crossed

Apart from decongestant (and yes, IT WORKS, but you cannot give it for too many days in a row and too often), you can use a saline nosedrops (Sterimar etc) in first instance to clear the nose as quickly as possible.

Seconding the ear putties and headband. I have jsut bought these for DS who had grommets last year. I haven't let him go in a swimming pool since the grommets (he's only 2 so not hard to keep him away at the moment) but we are going on holiday soon and he will want to be in a pool. Our ENT cons told us that swimming pools are a major cause of infections so maybe avoid pools until the infection has really cleared up.

Also augmentin - it's the only anti-b that actually works on really persistent infections. And you need a lengthy prescription - not the standard 5 or 7 days. We had something like ten days full dose and then another two weeks on a half dose (can't remember the details but the point is, it works).

Is she quite poorly with them- just wondering if she really needs the antibiotics every time? Am guessing she does- also yes, it could be one infection reoccuring- DS had to take 2 or 3 courses in a row once (groan) to make sure it had gone.

Usual starts with a bit of a temp and miserable, then the screaming of poorly ear

Funnily enough it has only really started after she started doing swimming lessons at the gym a friend said maybe she is allergic to something in the water?

We were away over Easter and she was playing in a pool all day every day and never complained once! Two lessons into new term here and bam another infection!

if you have any family history of dairy allergy, it might be that that is causing it.

Well I have now had dd up half the night crying in pain with her ear back to the docs we go

Boo, got DS with a hurting ear too and had to go buy more painkiller today. Docs for him on Monday too unless remarkable recovery.