help do I give antibiotics for ear infection

[Lisa1]

dd1 has had a history of ear infections- generally one or two a year (she's now 4). She had a very bad one about 2 months ago and her ear drum perforated. (Her ear infections always end up with perforation). This tuesady she complained about gunge in her ear, and it seemed the same ear perforated again. She hadn't had any pain before this happened and no pain then. There has been gunge coming out ever since. this morning she complained her ear was hurting. I took her to the emergency doctor who said that he couldn't tell if it was viral or bacterial and prescribed antibootics but said up to me if took it. If viral wouldn't make any difference,. he said if it was a bacterial infection and i didn't do anything the only possible complication may be that the perforation may get bigger. For rest of day my dd1 has not really been in any pain, only if she touches it. Not keen on giving unecessary antibiotics but don't want to put her at risk. Anyone got any ideas.
Also we are going on hoiday next week (not flying) any tips about swimming??
Thanks

friends ds1 had this- her dr did the same and she didn't give them

If was you I wouldn't give them unless there was a sign of an active infection- eg a rise in temperature or severe pain.

Not sure about swimming, but unless she swims under water it would probably be OK (I think you can buy a headband type thing that covers the ears- not sure where though- urchin maybe?)

Don't want to scare monger but a friend of mine had repeated ear inferctions as a child and is now deaf in the affected ear. If you do not want to give the anibiotics, ask the dostor to send away a swab. That will tell you if there is a bcterial infection there. Then you will know if the antibiotics are needed and mosr of all that he has prescribed the correct one.

message withdrawn

What's xylitol, and what toothpaste? Dd2 and I have dodgy ears!

batey - Tesco's own brand kids toothpaste has xylitol

My 2 year old ds has woken this morning with yellow runny gunge in his ear (sorry for yuckky description). This is the third time he has had this in about 6 weeks. The first two times he was in a lot of pain as he cried and kept pulling on his ear and saying "Ear hurt". The doctor gave me antibiotics both times which cleared things up but I am very loath to keep giving antibiotics. Should i insist on a swab this time. This time it is obviously bothering him as he keeps touching his ear but he doesn't actually seem to be in any pain. Should i insist on a swab this time ? Any idea what could cause a recurring infection like this ?

message withdrawn

lMany thanks robinW for advice. I have started dd1 on antibiotics. I am going to track down the toothpaste. I am presuming i brush her teeth with it and don't stuff down her ear!! I think I'll ask the GP to swab it to get a bit more info. Any ideas where i can find out more about haemophilus versus strep bacteria.
thought a trip to the osteopath would also help.

message withdrawn

message withdrawn