ear infection keeps coming back

acbfreire · April 2014

Hey there, moms! DD has her 3rd year infection (it seems like it, still going to the doc today) in a matter of 2 months. She went through two ten day rounds of antibiotics, but it did not clear completely and came back.
I am wondering if anyone treated ear infections using alternative medicine (homeopathics, oils, etc)? What did you use, for how long, was it doctor prescribed?
I just don't want to keep her on antibiotics if they are not working.
Thanks!

acbfreire · April 2014

Not yet. We are still going in today. I would like to try something else before resorting to tubes, though.

ashiscute · April 2014

So as opposed to her 3rd infection it's more likely 1 infection that is not clearing up? My DS got his first ear infection last January at 4 mos. Then a double ear infection in March and another in June. But the fluid never went away. He got tubes in August and has been clear since. I did not try any of the other methods because the antibiotics (which I hated!) cleared the infection up enough so that he wasn't in pain.

I would assume your pedi would refer you to an ENT soon to get a better idea of what's going on. Is there a reason you are not open to tubes? It's an incredibly simple procedure and has made a world of difference for my DS. I don't know anyone who got tubes and regretted it.

LimaD · April 2014

I'm sorry your LO is dealing with this! Thankfully I haven't dealt with ear infections (yet) so I can't give a recommendation off of personal experience, but I have heard really great things about essential oils. It's worth looking into at least.

Here's a link to a blog post that a friend shared with me:
https://kaysepratt.com/2013/08/six-essential-oils-for-kids.html

Litgirl77 · April 2014

LO has had 3 separate ear infections, and he's been on antibiotics twice. The meds have been hard on him (we figured out that he's allergic to penicillin). So I try to avoid antibiotics if at all possible Of course, sometimes they really are necessary). From what I understand, in Europe they rarely prescribe them for ear infections, and just manage the pain so the body can heal itself.

We've had success with using hydrogen peroxide as ear drops whenever LO gets a cold. You can also look into good quality essential oils that boost immunity and help relieve pain. You don't put them in the ear canal - but you can do things like rub them on the soles of their feet (usually called robber/thieves oil) and on the outer ear (basil). I haven't personally tried this yet, because thankfully we've been infection free for a good long while now. I do use the thieves oil regularly on my LO's feet - I won't say it's what is keeping him healthy…but he's been pretty healthy since we've been using it.

I've also heard that chiropractic adjustments can do wonders for ear infections, so you might want to look into someone who works with children.

I have a healthy amount of skepticism about stuff like this - I figure it's worth a try, and if it works, great! If not, it's great we have options like antibiotics, tubes, etc. I personally had tubes twice as a child and wouldn't hesitate to get them for my LO - but if I can keep him healthy and don't have to, so much the better!

MrsWindyCity · April 2014

Were the two rounds of abx the same or two different kinds?

acbfreire · April 2014

She got two rounds of the same antibiotic (Amoxicilin). We didn't get to go in today because my car got stolen. Oh joy!
I am using diluted Lavender and Thieves essential oils on the outer ear.
I just wanted to try something natural and non-invasive first, but if the doc says that she needs tubes, so be it...

chimneygrl · April 2014

We had 8 ear infections from mid October to late Feburary. We stopped his meds and a week and a half later we would have another one. He got ear tubes in early March and we have not had them since. I don't think that you are ready for ear tubes, but just keep doing what you are doing.

ASmallWonder · April 2014

Your doctor should not have prescribed the same med twice in such a short amount of time. My pedi won't do less than 6-8 weeks apart and only if it's clear he was 100% better in between. You need to push for the next level of meds, which would be Augmentin. I'll warn you - it tastes horrible so don't even bother trying to give it plain. Figure out what pharmacy near you offers flavoring. I know Walgreens does.

kjsmith9 · April 2014

I just ordered garlic ear oil from amazon after researching online... Maybe give that a look.

aibrean · April 2014

We had one in one ear and then it turned into both ears. Amox the first time and the second was a mix of amox and something stronger. We recheck on Monday.

aibrean · April 2014

My husband had to get tubes because he had chronic ear infections when he was little. I was fine. I think she got daddy's genes on that one (she literally has his ears).

BP607 · April 2014

DS seemed to have one infection that would not clear up. One perforated ear drum later he finally got 3 rounds of rocephin shots, if that didn't clear it up, the next step was tubes. The rocephin seemed to do the job, that was 3 months ago and no infections since.

JodiAriel · April 2014

Go see a chiropractor that specializes in children. It will make a world of difference. Also you can use garlic mullein drops. And you can boost her overall immune system with Elderberry syrup.

Here is the link to find a chiropractor certified in kids near you: https://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/

acbfreire · April 2014

Thank you ladies! She is doing much better with a combination of homeopathic remedies and essential oils.

Smh619 · April 2014

My son had 3 ear infections last year from January-April. This year at the first sign of a cold we put on his humidifier and it's been on every night since. We also use nose spray to keep the mucus flowing and not having time to grow yuckyness in his ears. He only had one partial infection this year. (Knock on wood!)

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