Ear infection after ear infection after ear infection.

[pinkmunkee]

4 ear infections in 5 weeks. So far we have succumbed to anti biotics (DS is 14mo). But clearly they're not working and he seems so unhappy on them- upset tummy, disturbed sleep etc.

He has started ear flapping again today so I am worried...

Does anyone know of any natural remedies that work? Found this one but not sure.

It's such a dilemma when it's their ears I don't know what to do.

Pinkmunkee I really sympathise. I had the same thing with DS1. But the good news is not one for the last 18 months (he's 3.5). You may have to go back to the doc and ask for a different anti biotic. I found that nurofen did the trick for him, more than calpol. But at the peak of pain gave him nurofen and calpol alternately. (I'm not telling you to do this btw). Not sure about natural remedies, but after so many in a short space of time we were recommended a hearing test when they cleared up. Happy to report no problems.

Hope he's feeling better soon.

Are you absolutely sure they are ear infections? Ds1 seemed to have constant ear infections but once we were referred to ENT we discovered there was no infection. It was found to be a dairy intolerance causing the discharge from his ear and the pain. I only mention it because the same intolerance caused him upset tummy problems too.

If I were you I would get an app with your ENT deparment

He may have glue ear causing recurring infections
he is not too young to have grommets
which helped my dd immensely

We have this and I am pretty sure the antibiotic is just not right for DD. She is allergic to penicilin and the doc keeps giving her a really weak dose of arithromycin which is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

We now have tonsilitis.....

Also 4 ear infections in 5 weeks, sounds like the same ear infection just not being cleared up. Or as TR says something else.

My ds went through a similar run of ear infections, with tonsillitis as well, and they did shift eventually. You have my sympathies, as it is really horrid for everyone concerned. GP said that as he was not responding to antibiotics then it was probably viral - wait it out, which is what we did. And we've had no further problems 6 months on, so fingers crossed. I was also advised by a mumsnetter to get the GP to do a swab, and prescribe antibiotics more precisely once they know exactly what the infection is - maybe worth a try?

Thanks everyone- the calpol does seem to help and also use ibuprofen at night. I just worry about him becoming deaf. I will go to GP today and interrogate him. Good to hear that it does pass eventually!

Pinkmunkee - I feel for you. My DS is nearly 17 months and has his 2nd ear infection in 4 weeks - been on amoxicillin for a second time since Monday - infection just worse and now spread to both ears - temp at night - last night 40.3 - screaming and blistering hot. Took him back today and they have changed the antibiotic to clarithomycin - said bacteria must be amoxicillin resistant. Praying it works. Things are hellish here at the moment. I had just gone back to work about 10 weeks ago and have had to quit due to amount of time off (before the ear probs -about a week into work and nursery he got Chicken pox!) - was just temping and nursery was costing more than earnings.
So really feel for you - how is he today? I also worry about hearing etc. What did your Doc say?

Hi abc- oh poor you and your poor DS. What a nightmare. I hope it doesn't last much longer- they're terrible aren't they? I'm not sure if the ABs or the infection itself is worse.

As for us, well the good news is it isn't an ear infection, the bad news is it is a viral throat infection, with hugely swollen glands that the Dr thought may be leading to some ear pain. Nothing to do but sit it out for 5-7 days, apparently. He's been pretty cheerful as long as I keep him calpol-ed. Poor sleep, of course. But I'm so relieved it's not ears and there are no anti-biotics needed I feel quite good about it!

I did google ear infections and read they can be viral too, but not sure if it's true.

NO MORE anti biotics, they do not work for ear infections.

Warmed olive oil dropped into the ear. you could do garlic infused olive oil and put it on a piece of cotton wool inside the ear. Warm hot water bottle on the ear for comfort.

Lots of vitamin c and garlic in the diet, warm honey drinks (organic if you can get it).

Pain meds (calpol if you have to).

Basically wait it out. It does get better bu you have to stop using the anti bs or you will just be on a merry go round.

Yes - cows milk must GO. We went on goats milk and probs started to get beter from there.

The antibiotic my DS got yesterday is a miracle drug - he is so much better today - full of mischief - no fever of 40 deg in the night - this is the first time in 3 weeks he has been well and not in agony. I am so thankful. Bacterial infections do in some circumstances need antibiotics. Although I am also anti over prescribing them - sometimes needs just must. My little guy is well again. Thank you thank you Sir Fleming!

I second no antibiotics. I'm also interested in the coming off dairy.

DD2 had a hearing test last week & has mild hearing loss. As far as I know she has never had an ear infection & when her ears were examined, there was no sign of infection.
The audiologist advised that they see excellent results when children are taken off dairy. My dd only has milk on her cereal, cheese & a yogurt. She doesn't drink it per se. He suggested that just a small amount can affect them. Results can been seen in as little as 2 weeks.

From Monday we'll be doing this (have had to buy rice milk + soya/alternative yogurts)

Far better to cut out dairy than have an operation, fingers crossed..

abc- so glad to hear your DS is better. I agree that anti-biotics have their place, but I think if DS had had an ear infection this time then I would have looked for alternatives because it was getting a bit mad! To be fair to my GP, he never just prescribed them- we always had a long conversation abut pros and cons first, but he didn't actually suggest any alternatives- he said if it hasn't gone after a few days you probably need them (need is, as always, subjective of course.)

I'm really interested in the dairy thing as DS always has very waxy ears and I think it might help- does anyone know if there is an age at which it's more suitable? He's only 14mo so what do I need to be wary of if we give it a go?

My son had 7 months of recurring ear infections from 6 months to just over a year (about one a fortnight). Sometimes antibiotics worked, sometimes they didn't. Because he also suffered from febrile convulsions the GPs always prescribed antibiotics as the fitting was so severe, if it was bacterial it was the quickest way of getting rid. I would say that AB have their place, I wouldn't ever say not to have them if it's a bacterial infection they are pretty speedy at getting rid. However, it's just as likely to be viral and in these cases it's pointless.

He was seeing a hearing specialist as they were concerned it had affected his hearing. As it happens, he's absolutely fine. He's grown out of them now, and hasn't had one for a year. There is an end to it all!

many ear infections are caused by allergies, commonly dairy - it could be a mild intolerance.

i read recently (i have a dairy allergic, sensitive child with ear infections) that anti biotics don't relieve the pain and actually exacerbate the problem if it is allergy related as it makes intolerance all the more likely.

i would go with the natural remedy

DD gets inflammation in her ears pretty much every time she has a cold virus (so pretty frequently), accompanied by high temp. Also has v little dairy (hypoallergenic formula and some goats cheese) so i dont think thats the problem.

Likewise been told by GP that best treatment is calpol/ibuprofen. We have had amoxycillin for it once and all that happened is it came back a few days later.

We have used Mullein oil with some success. You can get it from Neals Yard remedies. Its a pretty widely recognised treatment if you google it.