I Think My 4 Year Old Has Her First Ear Infection

Dear R.:

There are awesome children's earache/infection formulas made by some Chinese herbal medicine companies, sold by licensed acupuncturists or at acupuncture school clinics. Do a 'google' search of children's ear infections and traditional Chinese medicine/Asian medicine/Oriental medicine to find about the mechanisms of ear infections from a different perspective.

These articles talk about the mechanisms for ear infections, and how there is an energy path from the stomach up to the ear, and how overloaded digestive systems, stomachs blocked with wheat and dairy combined (mac & cheese is the worst), or just weak digestive systems combined with antibiotics (which have a cold energy and which can weaken the digestive system) ...can create ear infections.

My son had repeated ear infections (due to a weak system from being premature, and a craving for bread and sweets which causes phlegm). Although antibiotics have been prescribed, I often opted instead to use this formula with great success. I also use another formula containing bupleurum & angelica herbs which has been incredibly helpful to prevent the ear infection, especially if he had pasta or pizza for dinner. I have been able to successfully avoid the need for antibiotics with these formulas, as the ear infections resolve within a day or two. My doctors are amazed and very supportive of this remedy. (They still have to prescribe antibiotics, but aside, tell me that they personally would use this remedy instead!).

I also have used some of the over-the-counter homeopathic remedies, Hylands sells a whole package for kids which I purchased at Arizona Health Food Stores...which has different remedies for different types of ear aches and a multitude of other childhood ailments (you'll have to compare symptoms to those listed for each remedy). Some of those remedies have effectively dropped the high fevers (much to my relief and anxiety).

I hope this helps...FYI, I am somewhat biased because I have personally used these formulas on those long sleepless nights and days when I need to go to work with a sick child who can't go to day care...and they do work. As a recovering attorney turned herbalist and acupuncture college president, I have become a big fan of this Asian medicine which has some great answers to the dilemmas of conventional medicine. I hate to see others similarly suffer, so much so that I changed careers to support awareness of alternative medicine where it is truly warranted.

And finally another great read is Louise Hay's book, You Can Heal Your Life. It has been on the New York bestseller list in the past, it has an index where almost all health conditions have been traced to an original thought form. It has been very helpful in seeing the thoughts which helped create the energy patterns which lead to health conditions, both in myself and others. It is especially helpful in understanding children who may not be able to fully express their conditions to you. (Asian medicine recognizes the impact of certain thoughts and emotions on the organ systems and related conditions...one of the first mind-body medicines). While this book is not about Asian medicine, it closely mirrors the basis of Asian medicine.

-C. N

I would call the office. Our son has always taken the Z-pack for ear infections, but when we went in last week, the doctor said for some reason, many strains of ear infections have built an immunity to it. It was not his first choice for ear infections, but since he is a new doctor to our family, and my son has many medical allergies, he went with it this time anyway. Your daughter might just need a different antibiotic. Our doc said some of the less strong antibiotics are doing better with ears than the Z-pack. And yes, your daughter can get an ear infection while on antibiotics. Our baby just pulled that one off with very strong antibiotics.

My daughter had several ear infections as an infant. After 2 rounds of antibiotics I got leary. I turned to homeopathic ways. There are 2 things. I'm not sure what the drops were but I do know there was a chamomile pill that took the edge off. I think I did these 2 things 3times per day for a week and the infection was gone. She has not had them since. I was leary of the antibiotics because of fear of being immune to them. So this is an alternative if you'd like to check into it. You can go to Vitamin Cottage or any health food store and they can direct you better. Just a suggestion.

Hi R.,

I'm sorry to hear your daughter has issues with her ears. My kids had repeated ear infections when they were young and I wish someone had told me what I know now. Antibiotics are wonderful but they are used WAY too much and there are so many resistant strains now. I advocate building the body's immune system (natural defenses). Sometimes an antibiotic is absolutely necessary but it kills bacteria, including the good stuff! Any time we take antibiotics we should also take Probiotics (good bacteria) to replace what the antibiotics are destroying. I recommend daily Probiotic usage.

I take the capsule form that are acid resistant so they aren't destroyed in the stomach. This way they can reach the intestinal tract where they do their work. I buy them online at wholesale.

K.
____@____.com

Hi R.,

My son use to get strep and ear infections all the time. I started using a kids nutrion program called IsaKids. It actually has vitamens that help prevent all that bad stuff. All I know is that we are not having the problems we were. He was so use to the antibiotics, that nothing seemed to keep the ear infections from coming on. Let me know if you want some info emailed to you. I love sharing with other Moms my secret weapon against all the yuck always going around.

M.

It must be in the water! My 3 1/2 year old has pink eye, an ear infection in both ears, and the beginning of strep! They put her on amoxicilan to heal her ears, and stop her throat from getting any worse. I would take her to the doctor. I am guessing you can still get an ear infection when you are already on an antibiotic. Good Luck.

My daughter (2 yo.) just got her first ear infection, and I did research on the causes, since we aren't smokers, I had no idea on what causes it! I found that family history, sore throat, common colds, strep throat, allergies (like hay fever), and smoking are the main things that cause it. So her already having strep throat, that doesn't help her chances, and the antibiotics are way different as far as I know. I am not a medical person, but I did my research to find out what I can do to prevent it. My daughter is on a 10 dose of amoxicillin, and the doc said she should feel better by day three, and here we are and she is doing a little better dealing with it. I hope your daughter feels better soon. If you would like to do your own research the technical term for an ear infection is otitis media. Good luck.

That seems kind of odd to me that her ear is hurting while on the antibiotics. I would just call the office, speak to a nurse about what is going on, and see if they want her to come in. I hope she feels better soon!