What to Do About Reoccuring Ear Infections

My son had chronic ear infections. I did everything even saw a ENT. I decided before getting tubes I would take him to the chiropractor. He was 6 months old. After a month he had no ear infection and never got one again. He is now 11. I should mention though at 11 months we found out he was allergic to dairy. But his ear infections were gone by then so I dont think they were directly related. I would give the chiropractor a chance, go for one that specializes in children and all should be good. Hope this helps.

from what i have heard, any time you get an infection like this, its likely that it is a form of yeast. if you know anything about yeast it feeds on sugars!!!
so maybe try eliminating or limiting sugars, and unfortunatly this might also mean fruits too because they are high in sugar. hopefully you could get it cleared up and then go back to more fruits because they ARE so good for you, but i think it just contributes in a way.
so NO JUICE would be a good idea; only give water, i would even limit milk because that seems to me to be something that would be a "pal" of yeasts.
perhaps talk to someone you know about yeasts, or look it up on the internet. i heard the idea from a friend, and shes not available to ask more details right now, but i know theres information out there to help you out. its worth a try right? :)
good luck

We use chiropractic treatments (I see you've tried that, you should keep going). We also use ear candles that you can buy at health food stores and you can also use acupressure- that works well. Or what about contacting a nutritionist to see if there is something he's been eating that is contributing to the infections. You might want to get the infection cultured to make sure it is only a basic ear infection and nothing more serious.

Chiropractor...check out www.swensonchiropractic.com

Take him to a chiropractor!! My son had the same problem, one ear infection after another. He was refered to an ENT who said he would have to get ear tubes. We didn't want to put him through that so we decided to give our chiropractor a shot at it. My son hasn't had an ear infection since. It's worth a try!
Good luck!

I'm having the same problem with my 2 year old girl. Since she began daycare in November she's had either 4 ear infections or perhaps just one that really never cleared. It's only February so that's alot in such a short time. This last one gave her a 105 fever for a couple of days and we ended up in the ER having to give her a couple doses of IM antibiotics (Rocephin). It seems as though the 2 different oral antibiotics were no longer working. I have an appt with an ENT next week because at this point I'd rather have tubes put in than to see her and us suffer through this anymore. If your Ped doesn't refer you to an ENT for some reason, you could always go see one on your own. They don't usually require a referral. Best of luck to you.

J.

I would see an ENT, especially because his ear infections are re-occurring so often. He may need to have tubes put in, which is not that big of a deal. He may also have an underlying sinus issue which could be contributing to the ear infections.
Good luck!

I know this is getting to you really late...but my son also had chronic ear infections (including double ear infections that were not healing). His dr. noticed that he had a runny nose also (which I told him he has all the time) and he thought he possibly had allergies. We began him on his last round of antibiotics and also 1/2 a Claritin redi-tab (absorbs in mouth) each night and it cured the ear infections. That was about a year ago and he has not had one since. Good luck!
I will also add that it may help if they have a pacifier, to get rid of that also, it doesn't allow the fluid in the ear to drain properly...hope this helps!

My son had the same issue. He ended up getting ear tubes, but the ear infections continued (although at a less frequent rate). Our chiropractor recommended stopping dairy products to see if that worked and it was amazing! My son is now 18 mos. old and has not had an ear infection since we stopped cow's milk. We do still do cheese, but he drinks goat's milk. allergies(food or otherwise) can have a lot to do with it. Was your baby colicky? My son was, also, and I wonder if he was just always allergic to milk protein? Thx and good luck!

YES!!!!!!!! she should of sent you to a ENT 2 months ago. yes they will probably put tubes in but they are so small that you don't even know they are in. my oldest decided to do this when he turned 3 yrs old and got his VERY FIRST ear infection. i was shocked that he had one. with taking so many antibiotics he may have built up a resistance to them so they are no longer working. please let us know what happens. hope she will let you get some relief and send you to a ENT.

Have you tried going to a chiropractor? It worked for me...

If you are looking for a good ENT, I highly recommend Dr. James Sidman at Pediatric ENT Associates. Their main office is located in the Children's Specialty Center on the campus of Children's Hospitals and Clinics in Minneapolis. He is rated a top doctor in Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine year after year and patients drive accross state lines just to see him. He has a wonderful bedside manner and really cares about what the parent wants for their child.

http://www.pedsent.com

It's scary to consider surgury for one so young but it may be the best opton for him. Both my girls have had tubes. With my first, I waited because I was scared of the surgury. She had 10 ear infections in 11 months. By the time I went to the ENT her hearing had been slightly impaired due to the constant fluid in her ears! With my 2nd, she had an ear infection that wouldn't clear up for 2 months so she had tubes put in at 9 months and it was great. They stayed in for 16 months and didn't get any ear infections during that time. She did get one last month as they have now fallen out. The normal time for them to stay in is about 9 -12 months so I feel pretty good about it. We are prepared to have to get them again for her as she's only 21 months now. My older daughter had to get them twice but now at 4 she doesn't have infections anymore. Good luck.

My son got tubes in his ears at 9 months, and it was the best thing we ever did for him. He was constantly sick from 4 months old until he got tubes, on every drug in the book (including those HORRIBLE rocheipn shots) and nothing worked. Since the tubes (he is 2 1/2 now) he has not not had one ear infection. His ear anatomy (as with so many little ones) just wouldn't let the stuff in there drain. I would tell you to see the ENT and get his/her opinion! Good luck.

Yes, get to your doctor. Recurrent infections in children can signal something serious, and it could mean he just needs tubes in his ears. But if he's not had this problem until recnetly, I'd be inclined to push your doctor for answers, blood work, etc.

We went through the same thing with my son. Yes, when you see your pede, I am sure they will tell you to see an ENT. Our pede is very weary of always giving antibiotics and will only use them when absolutely necessary. The ENT will probably put tubes in your little guys ears. The child is not hurt, and it is just more separation anxiety than anything. They do put your child under with anesthesia, but it is very harmless. The tubes were great once our son had them in. He seemed much more comfortable and slept better. Good luck with everything.

So sorry for your little guy! Hard on him AND hard on you!! Good for you for pursuing alternative options, and for looking beyond the antibiotics. They obviously aren't addressing the underlying problem. I've worked with a number of moms who have found supporting their child's immune system can really help with chronic infections. Probiotics are a great starting point - another good for you! If you'd like more ideas, send me a PM, and we'll connect. There is hope! Surgery (ear tubes) is always available as a last resort.
Blessings,
A.

My 3-year-old had almost constant ear infections and finally got tubes in September. It was soooo nice to have a break from antibiotics (he was requiring 2 rounds every time) and doctor appointments!!! However, what i didn't realize is his ears could still get infected. My husband woke me up one morning after Christmas to tell me that C had pus coming out of his ear. Gross! I took him and and he got antibiotics (it only took one round this time) and ear drops.
Ear infections are not something to mess with. I've heard chiropractors work, but I haven't tried that route yet. Start taking steps to avoiding them- surgically or naturally- ASAP.

My neighbor's son finally had to have his ear infection cultured (not sure if ped did that or ENT) turns out his infection was MRSA!! I also knew another child whose ear infection was fungal--needed a whole different treatment.

Have you tried a chiropractor??? They did wonders for a rash on my daughter when she was 7 months old- the doctors "treated" it and it didn't go away for 2.5 months until we saw a chiropractor.