Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures

« WellTellMe • Forum • Remedies & Therapies • About the Body • Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat • Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures »

(Read 24688 times) 1 [2] 3 4 ... 12

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #30 on: July 13, 2006, 08:21:14 AM » by Eviesmom

Good Morning! I have been so blessed by all the wisdom on this site, and it has helped me as I am new to eating and living more naturally. My daughter is 15 months old and since she was 8-9 weeks old she gets ear infections every 4-6 weeks. Every time she gets a cold or has allergies she ends up with a ear infection. I need some wisdom on how I can help prevent this occurring, how I can build up her immunity system. Every time she gets a infections it usually requires a antibiotic shot and I don't want to do that anymore. Does anyone know any foods that can contribute to this? I appreciate your time

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #31 on: July 13, 2006, 08:41:07 AM » by babymakers

I hate to tell you this BUT a huge part of your problem is the reoccurring antibiotic shots. If your daughter has an immune system these shots have destroyed it. You need to give her probiotics. I have treated ear infections with olive oil and garlic. Just crush garlic into oil and strain the chunks out after a few minutes. A few drops should help. The garlic is as strong as antibiotics.

Logged

Visit my-

eBay Store, and <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/babymakers/ ">blog[/url].

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #32 on: July 13, 2006, 09:02:39 AM » by Eviesmom

What probiotics would you suggest? I do not know much about these. Thanks!

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #33 on: July 13, 2006, 10:21:55 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: Eviesmom on July 13, 2006, 09:02:39 AM

What probiotics would you suggest? I do not know much about these. Thanks!

Babymakers is right on. Chances are good that you need to take them too. I can recommend Tummy Tuneup, but you can also find powders (some others have used) and probiotic supplements at GNC and other health food stores.

Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #34 on: July 13, 2006, 07:30:56 PM » by kittyninja

Quote from: Youthful One on April 09, 2006, 03:46:09 AM

1) Soak a pair of cotton socks in cool to cold water (not iced!); squeeze out the water.
2) Put on the socks.
(On whomever needs the therapy, of course) Wink

3) Over the wet socks, put on a pair of dry, wool socks.
4) Go to bed.
This works wonders for colds and fevers.
(Although I haven't found wool socks suitable to fit my infants...)

just curious...why does it have to be wool? i want to be prepared for my little one...can't let her fevers rise...

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #35 on: July 14, 2006, 07:57:58 AM » by Eviesmom

I took my daughter to the doctor yesterday, and she thinks her constant ear infections may be linked to a milk allergy, has any ever heard of this before? I am to eliminate dairy from her diet. Does anyone know some good resources so I can get educated about this. Milk is in everything, I am going to have to get creative. My doctor also encouraged my decision to use probiotics as well. Can you give Probiotics in the form of certain foods?Does anyone have any ideas for meals etc. The doctor also recommend a liquid vitamin for her. I need some major help, does anyone have any wisdom. Thanks!

« Last Edit: July 14, 2006, 10:38:52 AM by healthybratt »
Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #36 on: July 17, 2006, 08:33:33 PM » by SHERRI REEL

I just read that candida can cause recuring ear infections.
Sherri

Logged

Just learn'n but pioneer at heart.
Sherri

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #37 on: July 17, 2006, 09:40:57 PM » by born-an-okie

I have had friends who had this problem with their kids. I have 4 kids (7,6,4,2 and one on the way), the first had many more ear infections than the others did, though not to the degree that you describe. I quit giving my kids milk to drink about 9 months ago, and I have noticed a lot of improvement in their overall health. They still get some on their oatmeal each morning, but it is not a lot, and I do still make macaroni and cheese (homemade) occasionally and we have ice cream sometimes. I have not totally cut out dairy and they do okay with cheese, but that depends a lot on the child. You might try experimenting with the level of reduction needed, but at first it is probably better to cut out everything until you can clear up the immune problem. My kids have not had any major illnesses this past winter (flu, etc) and very few colds. This is a drastic improvement as we always had colds going around all winter in the past. Since we cut way down on dairy they usually don't get sick unless they have had too much sugar and/or dairy.

With the little ones, an Air Force doctor (this one was really good), told me to put the baby/toddler on the floor with their head between my legs and pin their arms under my legs. Then squirt a lot (probably at least a teaspoon) of saline solution up each nostril, then suction it out with a bulb syringe. This really helps with the congestion that leads to ear infections. I had ear infections a lot as a teenager, and I have to do this myself when I have a cold or I will get one too. The poor kiddos scream quite a bit, mostly from being pinned down, but it does they trick like nothing else. The garlic oil solution is also quite effective.

I would be interested to know if "raw" milk causes the same types of problems as the dairy in the stores, but I haven't tried this yet myself as it is hard to find reliable sources close by.

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #38 on: August 03, 2006, 10:53:57 PM » by CinCapri

I have two kiddos with ear infections, probably from swimming too much. One child is 11 and one is 8yo. We have given them Garlic with honey throughout the day, honey on the outside of the ear (that seemed to helped for a little while), Garlic capsules, peroxide in the ear, garlic oil in the ear, cleaning out the ear with water, alcohol in the ear.......All of these work momentarily but the ear infection keeps coming back. We're on our 3rd day of hurting. My 8 yo has a fever that comes and goes with the ear ache as well.

I'm just wondering how long to let it go before I need to get more serious with this?

Thanks~ Cinnamon

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #39 on: August 03, 2006, 11:24:06 PM » by lewisquiverfull

I posted this on another message somewhere in this forum, but have no idea how to get it here, so here's what my family does for earaches. Grate a piece of an onion, get a medicine dropper and get only the juice from the onion, drop a few drops in each ear. Lay flat for a few minutes to make sure it gets in the ear good. This has done wonders for us many times. You can do it many times a day, and it helps with pain good. hope this helps.

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #40 on: August 04, 2006, 01:28:12 AM » by SC

With younger children learning to speak, fluid on the inner ear can cause major problems with speech, mobility and hearing.

Ear infections often come with symptoms of fever and/or pain. However, fluid can press on the inner ear without infection and the associated symptoms. Left untreated, this fluid can affect gross motor skills and speech development in the short term and lead to long term hearing loss. This is one of the instances that I advocate seeking the care of an ENT. Tubes are much preferred to having hearing aids.

I still remember the leaps in mobility and speech that I saw when my little one had tubes put in his ears. Eventually, when he no longer needs them, the tubes will come out. Having the tubes put in saved his hearing and allowed him to function much better and without that awful tightness in his head.

We tried alternatives, but when they didn't work, we became aggressive in our approach.

Logged

I'm no doctor . . . I'm not even a Post hole Digger! Wink

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #41 on: August 04, 2006, 10:20:36 AM » by AndysJess

I agree about the tubes. It should be a last resort, IMO, but my 15 mo son's vocabulary doubled within 2-3 days of having the tubes put in. It wasn't fun, but poor baby had had chronic ear infections since birth. When they checked his hearing before the tubes, he was 95% deaf in one ear and only had 50% hearing in the other. It was amazing the difference.

Logged

Helpmeet to Andy for over 10 years. Mama to Drew, Dylan, Cullen & Avery...new baby due in May 2010

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #42 on: August 04, 2006, 10:35:12 AM » by CinCapri

Quote from: lewisquiverfull on August 03, 2006, 11:24:06 PM

Grate a piece of an onion, get a medicine dropper and get only the juice from the onion, drop a few drops in each ear. Lay flat for a few minutes to make sure it gets in the ear good. This has done wonders for us many times. You can do it many times a day, and it helps with pain good. hope this helps.

Does this sting or burn? Is there any irritation associated with putting onion in an ear? Just curious before we try it.

~Thanks for your suggestion. We'd been holding off on trying onion.

Cinnamon

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #43 on: August 04, 2006, 11:12:06 AM » by hollyolly123

When my daughter had an ear infection so bad that the antibiotics didn't even take care of it, my friend suggested I take her to the chiropractor. That's what she does if her son gets an ear infection and it always worked for her, and she didn't even know about garlic or anything else. Now, you have to be very careful who you see. Ask around and get reccomendations. The one we went to wasn't one of those bone cracking doctors. She very gently, and hardly noticeably, felt my daughters neck, adjusted where she was "out", and the fluid was able to drain from her ears. My daugher was only 20 months at the time and very sceptical of strangers. The doctor was able to adjust her while she sat in my lap, and she just said to my daughter that she was going to touch her neck and play with her hair a little. Kara did just fine. The fluid get's stuck if the spine is misalinged up where the fluid would normally drain properly. I also used garlic oil and the combination of the two took care of it very quickly. If you choose this rout, find a chiropractor who specializes in children and uses and "activator" on adults rather than cracking the daylights out of them. An activator is a small device that delivers a little thump to the area that needs adjusting, and it feels competely painless. I had good results when my elbow and lower back were giving me trouble and I went to see my daughter's chiropractor. The garlic will kill infection but it will keep coming back if the fluid can't drain. Hope this helps! And I wouldn't ask your regular doctor for reccomendations, they usually really don't like chiropractors, especially for children. They kind of don't understand it. And again, please make sure that the doctor you see will gently adjust the child with his/her fingers and sees children often for this kind of problem.

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #44 on: August 04, 2006, 02:47:44 PM » by OnlyJesusSaves

Hi when my kids get ear infections I make the garlic and olive oil. I will rub it all over, around their ears, down jaw line, chest, back, and feet(put cloths and sock on when done). Once I do this they usually start to feel better. I will give them infant/children's Tylenol, if they are in a lot of pain (once is all I usually have to give them and then the garlic oil works) and then do the garlic and olive oil. Then recently I would take them to the chiropractor, and he was really gentle and quick with the kids. I have a now 4 year old and 11 month old. Make sure you find a good chiropractor, ask around. We have a great one here. I'll go ahead and tell you how I make garlic oil, just Incas anyone wants to know. 1 to 2 clove (I use 2) put them through a garlic press after peeling, if you don't have a garlic press cut them in very thin slices. Put 1/4 cup of olive oil into a small sauce pan and add garlic. Cook on low and mash garlic with a fork. Only heat to the touch of your finger. Then strain garlic out with a fine strainer, and put garlic oil into a dark container. I unusually put it in a glass and cover with tin foil. Then rub on child. (make sure they don't rub their eyes if they touched the oil). Some people put the oil in the ear, but you have to be careful if its too hot it of course will burn, but also if it's too cold it will make the ear hurt worse. You can put in 3 drops and routate ear until oil goes down and then have them stay laying down for 15 Min's., then after that they can sit up and have oil drain out. If you are doing this to a baby and nurse. I would start to nurse baby and then put the oil in and nurse until 15 min up. I'm sure their may be other was to make or put garlic oil in, but this is how I do it. also I would do this up to 3 day 3 times a day or at least at night. Also I never use antibiotics. My kids usually feel fine by morning. NV

hope this helps

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #45 on: August 04, 2006, 02:55:23 PM » by healthybratt

There's more info on using garlic and onions for ears in this thread: Ear Infections

Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #46 on: August 10, 2006, 01:03:41 AM » by CinCapri

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Finally after the 3rd day the ear aches ceased. We finally had them on garlic every 1/2 hr to 1 hour. They'd eat a 1/4 of a garlic clove in honey. After doing that consistently all day they were healed. Now we can get back to the normal problems like "who is going to clean up?" hee hee

~Cinnamon

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #47 on: October 10, 2006, 07:43:43 AM » by T

Just a quick bit of info I learned from a friend who is a speech therapist and knows lots about ENT issues...to check to see if your child has an ear infection, hold a flashlight to look inside the ear canal. If you see a reflection at the bottom of the canal, all is well. Looks somewhat like looking at a little mirror. If there is no reflection or redness, you have an ear infection on your hands. Trouble is getting a little one to sit still while you're pulling on a sore ear or having an ear canal large enough to really see down. As they get older, it gets easier. Takes a lot of practice and trying to really know what you are seeing but once you see the reflection, you know it and know what to look for in the future.

Got to go get an onion in my little guys ear!

Logged

Daddy: H-man, are you going to marry mommy when you grow up?

H-man: No, I'm going to get a fish...

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #48 on: October 11, 2006, 04:39:51 PM » by ShabbyChic

Am I the only one who has tried breastmilk in the ear?

Logged

That's Shabby SHEIK not Shabby CHICK. Hee-hee.

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #49 on: October 11, 2006, 06:50:56 PM » by mishy

Quote from: ShabbyChic on October 11, 2006, 04:39:51 PM

Am I the only one who has tried breastmilk in the ear?

Did it work?

Logged

My WTM Intro

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #50 on: October 11, 2006, 08:52:41 PM » by ShabbyChic

Yes! A neighbor told me to try it. It happened when my son was 18 mos. and I was pregnant with #2 and all my milk was gone, so I asked a friend to pump some for me and she did. Now THAT'S a good friend!

Logged

That's Shabby SHEIK not Shabby CHICK. Hee-hee.

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #51 on: October 14, 2006, 10:45:39 PM » by Ami H.

Does anyone have experience in the area of ear infections and ear tubes? My 20 month old was born with a cleft lip and palate, so her ears don't drain right and fluid pools up in the back of her ears and she gets a lot of infections. If she gets the slightest runny nose, she will also have an ear infection in one or both ears. We were told to use ciprodex drops in her ear which is an antibiotic and steroid combo. Lately, we have tried Wally's ear drops with garlic oil and mullen and all sorts of good stuff in it. It seemed to help on some of the minor infections, although I wasn't sure if I should be using on someone with ear tubes. But I figured since you can technically eat all of the ingredients as food, then it couldn't be too bad for the inner ear. (BTW, that stuff is really stinky! Shocked

) However, now she seems to have a moderately bad ear infection and the Wally's didn't seem to be kicking it, so I ended up using the ciprodex. If the infections get too bad then even the antibiotics wont seem to cure it and then we have to travel an hour up to the ENT specialist once a week and have them suctioned out. Which is very unpleasant and not to mention costly. So, I was wondering if anyone has some experience with kids with ear tubes and what have you done? I hate to always be using the prescription drops with the antibiotics although I was wondering if it as bad as taking antibiotics orally? Do ears have flora???

Logged

...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...Phil 3:7-11

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #52 on: October 19, 2006, 10:38:49 PM » by Ami H.

bump! She still has an ear infection so I thought I would bump this up one more time to see if anyone has any ideas.

Logged

...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...Phil 3:7-11

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #53 on: November 06, 2006, 02:32:35 AM » by greatmomfish

Okay so I tried the half onion thing tonight on my 1 yo dd's ear. I was going to take her drs in am but I tried this tonight. I was going to do the garlic one but I didn't have any garlic on hand - I was surprised! Anyway, so DH who is a skeptic said it can't hurt - so sure try it! OK so she kind of fought me a little bit but eventually went to sleep in my arms while I was holding the onion over her ear. It was kind of akward b/c the insides want to fall out b/c they are so mushy. I made sure they didn't fall and burn her but I just wondered if anyone else had a problem with the child fighting them for a little while. Thanks so much.

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #54 on: November 06, 2006, 08:57:32 AM » by 4myhoonie

Quote from: Ami H. on October 19, 2006, 10:38:49 PM

bump! She still has an ear infection so I thought I would bump this up one more time to see if anyone has any ideas.

Quote from: fivewittletids on November 05, 2006, 02:51:31 PM

Quote from: Isaacsmama on November 01, 2006, 07:17:42 PM

mine tugs at his ears all the time (well, he is 14 mo now) and we get them checked A LOT! but there is nothing wrong with them, he just likes tugging. So, yours might be OK. His nose has been runny alot lately too. But just clear. I think letting it run is good because it is his body getting rid of bad stuff. If you dry him up, his body cant get rid of anything. sorry I cant offer more.

i have taken to making a mild garlic oil by squishing a small clove or part of one into a tablespoon of olive oil. i put a drop in each ear if my little one ever wakes up with green snot in the morning. then i rub the rest all over him and do this again at bedtime. also have just started the sambuccol for kids before thanksgiving to boost his immunity. i do the oil and we dont' bother with going to the dr. the green snot usually disappears the second day and we keep it up anyway for a while. works great!

thought this might help some, where we were talking about ear infection in another thread. thought i've never had much experience with tubes except having them in my ears as a child. also, i think if it were more serious i would do this 3 times a day instead. the sambuccol has echinacea and propolis in it also. HTH.

Logged

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #55 on: November 08, 2006, 11:48:39 AM » by cpsenter

I read this thread after my 3 year old woke up this morning saying her ear hurts and she keeps crying and says she can't hear out of it real well. (she has had a bad cold/cough for a few days too).
I went to the health food store to get some collodial silver after reading a few recomendations on here for it. (I also put the warm onion on her ear too).
Well when I asked the owner of the store about the C.S. he said that he does recommend it but more than anything he recommends for ear infections a (nat-biotic ear drops). It has tree oil, alcohol and grapeseed extract in it. He said to try that first b/c the C.S. was a mineral and will jus stay in her system so he likes to recomend this first.
Have any of you ever heard of using grapeseed extract for ear infections?
I got some and just gave her the first drop of it in her ear, we will see I guess!

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #56 on: November 08, 2006, 03:08:23 PM » by cpsenter

bump

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #57 on: November 08, 2006, 05:22:01 PM » by cpsenter

bump

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #58 on: November 12, 2006, 03:52:07 PM » by momof4

BeeyoutifulGirl--I am interested in trying the garlic drops on my 22 month old son who has chronic ear infections. You mentioned if you bought a good kind of garlic it could burn the ear. What kind of garlic would you recommend or should I say, how do I know what kind might burn him? I want to try this on him but am worried it may burn him. He woke up this morning with his ear running wax again and pulling on it Undecided

Logged

Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #59 on: November 12, 2006, 10:48:36 PM » by rootdoctor

Grapeseed extract is fine for ear infections, in my experience, but I prefer other methods.

The olive oil/garlic is great and I add mullein to mine. Mullein stops the pain while the garlic heals the infection.

1 bulb garlic chopped
1 oz mullein flowers
1 pint olive oil

All in pint sized jar, cover, place in sunlight one week, strain in a clean jar, store in fridge...will keep 2 years. warm as needed and place 3-7 drops in the ear. This is the slow way.
Fast way...put all in pan and heat over VERY low heat about 30 min., strain, cool, and store.

For persistent ear infections: 2-3 drops goldenseal tincture in ear canal 3-4 times daily til cleared up. I use an otoscope to check.

Fever: teas
Catnip orally and in enema form...1/2 oz to 1 qt water. Sometimes with dehydration the water from the enema will be retained, that is OK
Lemon balm is great for babies...1/2 - 1 oz in 1 qt water.

Steep herbs in boiling water for 20 minutes, strain and sweeten (if desired) give WARM as often as child will drink until a sweat results.

I only recommend these if the child is exhausted from the fever and needs a rest. Or if the parent is really stressed from the fever ordeal.

Logged

The above statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure diseases. I am not a doctor =)

(Read 24688 times) 1 [2] 3 4 ... 12