Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #330 on: June 19, 2009, 10:50:24 PM » by Mamatoto

I have an 11 month old who has had two ear infections, so I'm not an expert (yet!) but here is what our holistic pediatrician had us do: Children's Ear Formula from Golden Flower Chinese Herbs (this is taken orally) and Mullein Flower Ear Oil from Wish Garden Herbs (the garlic-mullein combination is supposed to be superior to just plain garlic drops) every two hours for two days. Both times it cleared right up! It seemed amazing to me! As far as help for the swollen lymph nodes, try a garlic poultice on her chest, back, feet, and neck. I'm not sure how long to hold it on a 7-year old: I keep mine on as long as I can possibly stand it, then move it to another spot for as long as I can stand it, then move it again, etc. I can usually last about 20 minutes this way. With DS I think I tried to keep it on for 30 seconds, moving it around a bit during that time because he was crying due to the burning sensation. Try and do the poultice at least twice a day for a few days. HTH

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #331 on: June 22, 2009, 10:12:37 AM » by amy

I'm bumping this thread with an update to see if anyone has any last minute thoughts. I've followed advice on this thread and strictly administered the recommendation for ear infection in "Herbal Antibiotics", but my daughter seems to be getting worse. She now has matching lumps on the right and left sides on her neck and is miserable. Her face is all puffy and has a fever off and on. My husband is filling the presciption for antibiotics today during his lunch break. I've done everything I know to do: ear oil every 30 minutes, oral tincture every hour, colloidal silver twice a day, garlic internally and externally, enema (brought high fever down), herbal tea. Still she's not improving.

I have 2 thoughts: when the body is encouraged to heal on it's own does it take a long time and could the symptoms actually get worse before getting better?

I feel like natural medicine has let me down Cry

I want to be able to rely on God's provisions and not on a drug company!

What good am I as a mother if I can't heal my babies when they're sick?

Sad and Disappointed,
Amy

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #332 on: June 22, 2009, 10:26:34 AM » by MommabyHisgrace

Please don't feel like you have let anyone down! I just about cried after reading your post! Cry

You've done an amazing job trying to take care of this naturally! Antibiotics are here for a reason and sometimes (unfortunately) we need them. If it were my child I'd put her on an antibiotic and then do everything to replace the good flora/bacteria when she's done. And that's a lot for me to say--I really do hate having to use antibiotics, but they saved my little girl's life just 1 1/2 years ago.

I'll be praying for your family as you make decisions, but please know that you're a great mom for doing all that you have to avoid having to do anything "unnatural".

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #333 on: June 22, 2009, 12:11:45 PM » by healthyinOhio

Quote from: amy on June 22, 2009, 10:12:37 AM

She now has matching lumps on the right and left sides on her neck and is miserable. Her face is all puffy and has a fever off and on.

Is it possible that she doesn't have an ear infection, but the mumps? I am just thinking that perhaps that is why the natural stuff doesn't seem to be working, if maybe you are treating an entirely different symptom?

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #334 on: June 22, 2009, 06:28:53 PM » by amy

Quote from: healthyinOhio on June 22, 2009, 12:11:45 PM

Quote from: amy on June 22, 2009, 10:12:37 AM

She now has matching lumps on the right and left sides on her neck and is miserable. Her face is all puffy and has a fever off and on.

I considered that, but read that mumps cause swollen salivary glands and her lumps are on the side, not the front. I do know that her ears are infected. Her hearing is muffled and I've seen the swollen eardrums with my otoscope. Does mumps cause ear infections? Or can one lead to the other? At this point, I don't really know for sure what is going on. I've given her one dose of antibiotic. She'll have another tonight and one in the morning. By late morning tomorrow I'm expecting to see some improvement if the antibiotics are doing anything. When I was growing up, my parents never took me to the doctor unless I was miserable and the antibiotics I took always made me start to feel better within a day.

I'm always open to suggestions and welcome any more information y'all have.

Thanks,
Amy

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #335 on: June 22, 2009, 07:00:22 PM » by T

I'm hesitant to use antibiotics because of the repercusions I had from taking so many as a child BUT I want to affirm your decision to give them to your daughter at this point. You've tried everything else and I do believe that God gave us the knowledge to create the drugs we need to use in cases like this. Like you said, if you don't see improvement, you can discontinue. Just don't beat yourself up over this. One round of them for a persistant thing like this will not destroy all you've worked hard to accomplish. You can rebuild her gut flora when she's done. Know that you are not less of a mom because of using science this time when God made the scientist! Praying for you...be encouraged!

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #336 on: June 23, 2009, 10:06:21 AM » by amy

The antibiotics don't seem to be doing anything! I've called the doctor and can bring her in this evening. I'm assuming they'll switch her to a stronger antibiotic...any suggestions? Is one better or worse than another? Any that I should try to stay away from? Right now she's taking Amoxicilin.

New development this morning...dd complained of throat pain and upon examination, I found white puss pockets. I'm giving her echinacea directly on her throat now to hopefully help that. I'm very concerned about the swelling in her face and lumps on the sides of her neck.

Thanks for all the encouragment.

Amy

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #337 on: June 23, 2009, 10:18:18 AM » by T

My suggestion would be to get a clear diagnosis of what she has and go from there. If the antibiotic isn't touching it, and she's not been on enough antibiotics to build up an immunity to them, then this may need to be approched from a different pespective. You might try some immune building things...I'm not sure what that might be at this moment but spirulina comes to mind. So does dandelion tea as a blood purifier. I would see what the doctor says it diffinitavely is and pray before I made too many more moves. Ask God to give you clear wisdom and show you what the root cause is. Sorry to be so little help! Still praying!

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #338 on: July 01, 2009, 10:59:30 PM » by Suchender

I feel so bad for you amy. I know how you feel.

I had another ear Infection (swimmers ear) and this time i treated it a bit differant.
The first night i couldnt sleep b/c the pain, so heres what i did.

equal parts :
Apple cider vinigar (that was sitting in plantain a few weeks)
Winter green alcohol

After just one dose of this in my ear the pain was gone, and three more day of this and I'm back to normal. Grin

Here are some links I found, hope it helps.

NOTE swimmers ear can cause swollen lymph nodes.

http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/home-remedies-for-swimmers-ear.html

http://www.myhomeremedies.com/topic.cgi?topicid=74

« Last Edit: July 01, 2009, 11:01:05 PM by Suchender »
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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #339 on: July 02, 2009, 09:02:56 AM » by hi_itsgwen

Hi Amy,
I'm so sorry...I have been there too. There is a learning curve with using natural and herbal treatments, and it is so frustrating when it doesn't seem to work. In my case, it was a bladder infection, and I wasn't taking enough of the herbals often enough, so I went in to my doctor and got regular antibiotics. My doc was very impressed by how much the natural treatments had kept the infection from progressing though, so I think I could kick one next time. I had the infection for 3 days, and when they tested my urine, it hadn't even progressed to the second 'active' stage of infection...she said it was like I had just gotten the infection. So herbals can help! It's just finding the right combination/frequency. In your daughter's case, it sound's like the bacteria you've been battling is just really aggressive.

I believe from what you are describing, that your daughter probably has strep that has spread into her glands and throat. The Amox. is usually the first defense, but you should see improvement by the second or third dose. They can also give antibiotics that have two different antibiotics mixed, and these are usually more effective. As a Mom, I would have made the same decision as you have, and taken her to the doctor for this, but I would probably keep working with herbals as well just for a double whammy approach.

Here are a couple things from my notes on earraches/strep:

The aroma of eucalyptus oil is known to kill strep, and has always helped us feel better and sleep better during colds and flus. Just the smell is antiseptic, but it can't be taken internally.

I would also smash a few garlic cloves and cut up some fresh ginver if you have it, and stir them into raw honey. Let it steep for a while, and then give her spoonfuls of it every hour or so. The honey really masks the strong flavor of the garlic, and it's good! Both of these are good at arresting bactaria. This is an easy 'cure all' that we use for any type of infection. Even my biggest baby (dh) Grin

likes the taste, and says it helps a lot.

Finally, I would give her mints or gum that have Xylitol in them. Xylitol keeps bacteria from sticking to the cells in the mouth/throat/ear area.

Quote from: amy on June 23, 2009, 10:06:21 AM

Is one better or worse than another? Any that I should try to stay away from? Right now she's taking Amoxicilin.

New development this morning...dd complained of throat pain and upon examination, I found white puss pockets. I'm giving her echinacea directly on her throat now to hopefully help that. I'm very concerned about the swelling in her face and lumps on the sides of her neck.

Thanks for all the encouragment.

Amy

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #340 on: July 02, 2009, 09:05:17 AM » by hi_itsgwen

About the eucalyptus oil: I put a few drops on a cotton ball, or with my kids, I put it on their snuggly or a washcloth and just lay it close while they are sleeping.

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #341 on: July 02, 2009, 09:53:16 AM » by amy

Hi everyone, I kept trying to update this thread, but every time I got an error. I'm hoping this works.

I did take my dd to the doctor and he confirmed that the amoxicillin wasn't working and she was just getting worse. They tested for strep and it came back negative. The lumps on her neck were the lymph nodes; they were just HUGE! He put her on another antibiotic with an additive that's supposed to fight resistant bacteria, which is what he thought was going on.

After a couple days on the new antibiotic, she started showing improvement. It first I backed off some of what I was doing, but she soon complained of more pain and discomfort; so I started back up again and she was better. It seemed to prove the natural treatments were doing a lot to help her, just maybe needed some help.

Thanks for continuing to post advice.

Amy

« Last Edit: July 02, 2009, 10:05:47 AM by amy »
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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #342 on: July 02, 2009, 12:32:28 PM » by amy

I'd like to update this thread on how my dd is doing. After 8 days on the new antibiotic, she broke out in a rash that covered all but her face! I remembered reading something about a rash being a possible side effect of the medicine. So, back to the doctor to make sure the rash isn't serious! How can it not be serious! The medical world never ceases to amaze me in increasingly scary ways!

So, a blood test today revealed that she, in fact, has mono. Yes, there were 2 ear infections, but they were likely caused by the mono. and they explain why the antibiotics didn't help!

I'm now so flustered I could scream! I just received the phone call from the doctor moments ago and am praying for peace about this whole situation.

Now I'm working on rebuilding her system after the attack of antibiotics (that she turned out not to actually need) and wondering how much probiotic to giver her each day. What's the difference in probiotics for adults and children? I have Primal Defense from Garden of Life and it's 4 Billion CFU per serving. Should I give this amount twice a day (or double it in a single dose) or is 4 Billion enough? I thought maybe double it for a week or 2 and then reduce to the normal dose. Any thoughts or knowledge about what's recommended and what works to rebuild her system. Her body still needs support to finish recovering from mono. and unfortunately we've weakened her immune system with the antibiotics. And people don't understand why I don't trust doctors!

Resting in Christ,
Amy

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #343 on: July 02, 2009, 01:36:21 PM » by hi_itsgwen

Quote from: amy on July 02, 2009, 12:32:28 PM

So, a blood test today revealed that she, in fact, has mono. Yes, there were 2 ear infections, but they were likely caused by the mono. and they explain why the antibiotics didn't help!

I'm now so flustered I could scream! I just received the phone call from the doctor moments ago and am praying for peace about this whole situation.

Oh, Amy...I'm so sorry! But at least now you know what is going on with her, and can persue specific treatments. Poor baby. I think that is pretty common to give antibiotics before establishing the exact problem, as they are trying to get the upper hand while waiting on lab results. I still think you've done the best you can for your girl...there are just no magic pills or perfect Doctors (or Moms for that matter). Embarrassed

I don't know the answers to your questions, but I think there's a thread on Mono and probiotics for kids on WTM. You may also want to look at the nourishing herbal infusions thread to really boost her nutrition.
God bless you and I pray that she heals quickly.
~Gwen

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #344 on: July 02, 2009, 05:31:52 PM » by freshisbest

NOW Allibiotic....has allicin ( garlic) , Elderberry, Olive Leaf and Oil of Oregano, and "ImmunoEnhancer" (prebiotic insoluble fiber from larch).

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Re: Ear Aches & Infections: Causes & Cures
« Reply #345 on: October 05, 2009, 08:57:11 PM » by tynnille

NEAT FIND at Walmart. I went there on Friday and found a product called "earHURTS." They are small silicone disks infused with Eucalyptus oil, echineacia oil, mullein extract, and tea tree. You just place them in the childs or adults ear and let it rest there. The best thing is, they were on the clearance aisle of the health and beauty section. I bought the four packs I saw for a $1.00 a piece. There aresix disks in a box.
I actually hope I won't have to use them, but mostly likely will at some time int eh future. I will let you know if I do and how they helped.
Next time your at Wally World, check it out and if you have a child fighting an ear infection right now, go buy some and let us know if they help.
Your friend, Tennille

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