Please help... Im in ear infection hell!

KMEss86

Not sure if this is the best board for my question, but I didnt have much luck on 12-24....

My LO has an ear infection, which didnt clear after the first round of antibiotic. This is his third infection, and his second persisting one. Today I was prescribed a stronger antibiotic, and also referred to an ENT. I do not want to give him anymore!! Im thinking the antibiotics could be the reason he keeps getting them. I know its a vicious cycle.

At the same time, I have to do something, because he is miserable. He is fussing allllllll day long. He also has a sort of bad cough and runny nose that the doctor thinks is all related to the infection.

My question is what alternative treatments WORKED for you? Ive been reading about oil, garlic, and breastmilk in the ear. Im also taking him to a chiropractor, which I believe it helping.

Advice? 

pitterpatter129

My LO just had tubes put in because of recurrent infections.  When we met with the ENT he had yet another, after having just finished antibiotics, and the ENT informed us that half are viral, not bacterial, and antibiotics will do no good.  So, I guess it's possible that it's not useful in your case to keep taking them.  I'd give it anyhow and see what the ENT has to say.

 

 

Marsee

Cut out sugar in LO's diet ASAP. Be sure to look for hidden sugars as well (high fructose corn syrup, etc.) Natural sugars like in fruit aren't the issue. It's the white processed sugar that is the problem.

When I was born, my mom's crunchy doctor told her that if she wanted to avoid ear infections to not allow me to have white sugar. I never had an EI. I'm sorry I have no suggestions for what you're going through now, but cutting out LO's sugar can only help you at this point. Good luck.

kitkat145

Marsee:

Cut out sugar in LO's diet ASAP. Be sure to look for hidden sugars as well (high fructose corn syrup, etc.) Natural sugars like in fruit aren't the issue. It's the white processed sugar that is the problem.

When I was born, my mom's crunchy doctor told her that if she wanted to avoid ear infections to not allow me to have white sugar. I never had an EI. I'm sorry I have no suggestions for what you're going through now, but cutting out LO's sugar can only help you at this point. Good luck.

My DD had never had anything to eat but breastmilk and she got ear infections resistant to antibiotics when she was under 6 months old. The only thing that helped were tubes in her ears. 

tinaraye

I've read that 70% of ear infections are viral - so antibiotics do not work on them. I've heard (though haven't tried myself) that drops of garlic oil and breast milk work wonders for ear infections.

zeesbride

Breastmilk if you've got it

KMEss86

Thanks everyone! We are doing garlic oil drops, and Im going to drag out my pump today, and try the breastmilk. Ive also cut out dairy from him diet, because I read that its harmful for infections. He doesnt eat any sugar anyway. If I dont see improvement today or tomorrow, I guess I'll fill the prescription. Thanks for your advice!

webMistress0609

Ari had his 1st ear/sinus infection in Jan & it lasted for weeks. 3 antibiotics later, he ended up in the ER with suspected pneumonia (it wasn't that bad, thank goodness) & they gave him IV antibiotics (Romnicef I think was what it was called), plus one more shot on day 2. It cleared it right up. Neither Ari's pedi nor I are into unnecessary antibiotics, but Ari needed them. 

Getting rid of dairy may or may not help, but many LOs are dairy sensitive so it's worth a shot. It can take awhile for this to take effect though & may not help the current infection much. 

JoannaJes

Do the preventative stuff like garlic oil, mullein oil, etc. after you get the infection taken care of. 

If your LO is in pain, give the antibiotics. Nobody likes giving their kids antibiotics. But ear infections are not something you mess around with. They can be extremely painful. Also, cutting out dairy to see if it helps is a good idea.  

Eyelyn

Cutting out dairy (turns out my family has dairy allergies), excessive sugar, and using garlic oil instilled in the ear (plug it lightly with cotton ball to prevent a mess) is what knocked out our ear infection problems.