5 weeks of ear discharge from my 15 month old

[Soniarc]

Im at the end of my tether - but has anyone had this? My 15MO had a bad cold in February and around the end of February started having discharge from one ear. We’d never had an ear infection before so we’re new to it. He also started teething his first molars. Went straight to the GP, we got a swab that came back for Haemophilus Influenzae bacteria.

We have since had two lots of antibiotic drops (Cyloxan and Cloramohenicol), as well as oral Erythromycin and Amoxicilin. The discharge is clear with an orange/yellow tint, non smelly, comes and goes, sometimes one side or the other, sometimes both. It didn’t seem to bother him at all. The GP checked for glue ear and burst drums but couldn’t see either - we had a second swab and it came back with no bacteria. Another GP said to try with anti fungal drops, and referred us to an ENT.

We have been giving him his Canesten anti fungal drops now for 5 days, but his ears are leaking profusely today. It seems to coincide with when he has his teething episodes, as these pesky molars are half through. His gums are swollen and he’s biting his fingers constantly.

I’m not sure that this is actually an infection? He hasn’t had a temp at all these last few weeks, GP said his ears look fine. Hasn’t responded to 6 types of medication. Could it be that teething makes the Eustachian tubes swell and drain less? I’m looking for ideas while we wait for the referral to come through.

I've honestly never heard of teething making their ears leak, sorry @Soniarc.

Thanks for not just scrolling past (love your username haha). I never had either, but a GP mentioned that the Eustachian tubes could swell during upper molar teething, and fluid could build up and fail to drain. I’ve read a few links about it too - and since he hasn’t had a temp or any obvious ear pain these last 5 weeks, it’s been plausible in my mind.

Do you know how long the wait is to see ENT? I think I'd want it checking

It’s a private referral, so as fast as they are able to see us, really. I’m waiting for my insurance to send us a list of the available specialists in the area and will get him seen ASAP

My DA has suffered with ear infections from a similar age but the leaking normally stopped after a week. He currently has one (he’s now 5) and we’re on day 7 of leaking with no signs of stopping. He’s had a war spray. We’ve previously been through ENT - they gave him a prolonged low dose of antibiotics for about 6 weeks and it stopped the ear infections for about 3yrs but since he’s started school, he’s had two.

when he was a toddler with it he could never lie flat at night and would scream in pain - horrid! Hope your little one is feeling better soon and an ENT referral comes through quickly. Worth asking at the GP surgery if any GPS have ENT backgrounds (we have one at ours and she was significantly more knowledgeable and helpful than previous GPS we had)

Just wondering what the outcome with this was, if you don't mind? We have got a discharge problem with our toddler right now...no pain, no temperature, doesn't smell bad...

Of course! The result is that we had to go private, and we discovered that it was otitis media with effusion. We had a hearing test to check everything was OK with his hearing. Apparently this happens quite a lot in kids up to the age of 7 if their Eustachian tubes that go from their nose to their ears is flat, causing snot to pool and come out of the ear whenever they have a cold.

He’s now nearly 3. It happens less frequently, but we still need ABs 4-5 times a year for it. We just went back to the ENT and he recommended a long but small course of antibiotics for a month to try to kick it. He said this works for around 50% of kids. If that doesn’t work, grommets.

thanks for updating, glad you got resolution

That's so kind, thank you for the update.
Also, just wanted to add. I saw on another post on here that someone's child kept suffering with these ear problems, and they ended up getting cranial osteopathy done, and never had a problem since. I've had osteopathy done for other things, and my LO has too, and I've found it to be amazing. If my LO gets another ear problem, I will be taking her for that. Just wanted to mention, in case anyone is reading this and wondering about any solutions other than antibiotics.

Hi, i am having the same problem with my toddler. A ear infection since june 2024 that has been constant, been referred to ENT and been on so many antibiotics that work until course is finished then ear starts discharging again. One doctor told me to not give any more antibiotics unless really poorly and the other one to treat as and when. I’m not trying to give unless needed. The infection/bacteria is the Haemophilus Influenzae. We have been told grommits won't work as has hole in ear drum. Also had hearing test and not hearing very well. Any one had any luck with any specific antibiotics and can recommend?

That bacteria name brings back memories…
im here to report that we had a low but long course of AB (azyrhromycin? Can’t remember right now). The course concluded at the end of December and he hasn’t had an ear infection yet… even though he’s had numerous snotty noses since then. So far so good.

@Laurapit89 Would be keen to keep in touch and know how you get on, your story is word for word ours with our boy, expect it started in December, just confirmed as H Influenza after 7th different antibiotic. Now have emergency ENT appointment tomorrow. Not sure what to advocate for but will see how it goes.

I understand this is a very serious / life threatening bacteria, also known as Hib?

Hello, it’s awful. My son is still getting the discharge and we have another ENT appointment in a few weeks. I think the HIB is type B maybe? (Which is more serious) they just said my son had Haemophilus Influenzae and didn’t mention type B. I will defo mention that at my next appointment as it is worrying when you google it and read up on it. Let me know what ENT say and how he’s getting on :)

My dd had constantly perf eardrums on and off with thick discharge for literally 20 months …. We went private she had a very antibiotic resistant bacteria and got Ciprofloxacin and it was amazing shes had not one infection since it’s been life changing for her, she was always such a trooper about it but audiology confirmed she had hearing loss in one ear so it must have really done a job on her little ear drums. I think the antibiotics plus her just growing and getting better immunity (shes had two mild colds this winter , last winter at peak of her ear nightmares she was ill constantly) I recommend getting your LOs hearing checked and rechecked after treatment, and really good ear plugs for baths and swimming these have also helped

We were told by Dr during our urgent ENT appointment that grommets were needed and the only way forward; however, this needs to be signed of by a consultant, who can't see us until May.... In the meantime, 8th bottle of anti-biotics prescribed... Think we will need to look into going private, kicking myself for not adding the wee one to my works private medical sooner, looks like grommets will be ~£3-4k in Scotland 😮
They were not too concerned about the H Influenza bacteria, but said if he starts to go septic/meningitis symptoms, then to come into A&E

Thanks for getting back. How old is your little one? Mine is 2 in may. I think i will add my little on to my works private healthcare in march. I wonder how quick you can get gromits that way. My little ones just finished chloramphenical ear drops and boom the day later ears discharging again

He is 16 months old. I think you’d be able to get grommets very quickly, within a couple weeks possibly, just will cost a fortune, as likely considered a pre-existing condition, but at least you’ll be able to access the service once added I think! Plus, your little one would be covered for any other conditions that pop up, but hopefully never needed!

Chloramphenicol did nothing for my dd neither dd the 10+ prescriptions of amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav we had some success with but you need to make sure the bacteria isnt resistant. Also try and get audiology involved I found out NHS audiologist who did hearing test more knowledgable and interested than any gp we saw

Just a quick update. My son was prescribed cetraxal ear drops a few weeks ago and his ear has been much better. Hopefully it stays that way!

What ended up working for good for us has been a low-dose but long length prescription of AB. He had to take it twice a week for about 3 months. Not had a single problem since.

That’s what worked for my little girl, she’s just had her first infection 9 months after cetraxal cleared it though. Both ears discharging like mad and she’s almost 3 now. But she has raging hayfever and is full of snot so I think that’s linked. Think I’m going to take her to see someone re the hayfever as I think bonking that on the head will solve a lot of the ear gunk.

@AllyBally3 hows your little one doing? Mine is due to get grommet's next month and he now has multiple bacteria in his ear as had his ear swabbed last week at doctors, so its no better itStill constant discharge but now worse.