Flying to Majorca - ear infections

[JaneyT]

We are just about to book a villa holiday in Majorca with 2 friends - villa and flights all sorted - and are really chuffed, when my dh said my mum said her and my dad didn't think we should go because of my older dd.

dd1, who is 2.5yrs has grommets in her ears and has in the past had 3 febrile convulsions caused by high temp from ear infections - she has only had one infection and convulsion since the grommets a year ago.

We chose Majorca as it is pretty well developed etc, and we have a car, but the villa is a little out of the way.

We were/are! happy to go as dd1 shows signs of being ill before she has had a fit, and we take her to the dr for antibiotics.

Now I feel quite worried because of my parents, and it has cast a bit of a shadow on the whole trip........ could do with your thoughts about going or not ??

JaneyT- I think your folks are a bit out of line here, to be honest. As you say, Majorca isn't exactly a backwater and you have a car. It sounds they are worrying unnecessarily and/or being a bit thoughtless in advising you like this. Please don't let them ruin your holiday! I'm tempted to be blunt and say it is none of their business; I do know how worrying it is when people you love genuinely disapprove of your actions, though. Would it help to check the situation with your GP or NHS direct? It might reassure you and your parents to have "permission to go", as it were, from someone with medical expertise. I do hope you can smooth this situation over and go on to have a lovely holiday!

If you are concerned, I would go and get advice from your GP, to set your mind at rest. Unless your parents are medical themselves, they are just scaremongering unecessarily - although I realise it is with the best of intentions.

Go and get proper medical advice! It's also probably advisable to ensure that you're covered by your insurance - and be sure to take your E11 form with you.

JaneyT, as the parent of a child who had persistent ear infections and grommets put in when he was 1, I would say go and relax!! Ds has flown on several occasions since his op (grandparents live over the water) and hasn't yet had an infection even though flying seems to make him particularly "mucus-y" (v chesty and snotty); our main worry is hair-washing as he did have a nasty infection after he pulled his ear plug out and got soapy water in his ear - remember the cotton wool and vaseline if you're planning any hair-washing. Swimming pools are fine with grommets so no worries there. I'm sure that your GP would let you take something with you to be on the safe side, given the circumstances. Have a fabulous holiday!!

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I would also going to suggest dry antibiotic from GP. My ds 2 got a bad ear infection probably from the lool when we were in Menorca.
If your GP isn't willing to do that, don't worry because you can buy antibiotics over the counter in Majorca at the first sign of trouble. You know the signs of infection in your child and can deal with them. Go and enjoy

Thanks everyone for the advice - it has really lifted the shadow - can't wait to get hold of dh and tell him your advice - he even said last night perhaps we should go in the UK instead!

Carogee - I will get some more Gentisone eardrops - I use these as soon as dd1 has any discharge from her ears - hadn't thought about dry antibiotics - will ask doctor.

robinw - will try paste as well - didn't know that - do you use that all the time ?

mears - can you buy antibiotics in liquid form for kids ?

Thanks again - I know we don't need anyone elses approval, but its great knowing you've all said GO GO GO !!!!!

ps I don't use ear plugs with dd1 with her grommets - as consultant said not to, but do you think this would be a good idea with the pool ?

I am pretty sure you can. When ds had his ear infection ( and I did know that was what it was) we called the doctor (UK programming) and that cost £35.
When we went to get the prescription we were told we could have just bought it without the prescription. Spanish paracetamol liquid tastes foul by the way. Definately take your own.