"No Antibiotics for Ear Infections!"
My sons pediatrician used this phrase on a recent trip to his office. He said that in the past, they would have given antibiotics at the first sign of an ear infection but nowadays they are more reluctant to dole out the Rx for those over age 2. YAY!
I was relieved, as we are an "antibiotics must be absolutely necessary" family, to learn that ear infections are moving over to the "not necessary" list.
This story on MSN discusses more on the topic.
OK. Whew. Good. But now what? How can we help our children fight this infection?
Some tips and things to check out~ as always check with your dr. first.
1. Water Water Water. Make sure your child is well hydrated!
2. Vitamins are always a great way to boost the immune system and allow for a healthy environment that is not conducive to harmful bacteria. Start with a Multi if your child is not already taking one. Don't skimp and do your research as not all vitamins are created equal!
Now on to Ear Specific "Natural Remedies" (in no particular order)
1. Garlic Oil dropped into the ear is a favorite of many.
2. Zinc, Vitamin C and Ecinacea ~ start at first signs of illness.
3. Heat Compress- if you do not have a store bought one, fill a tube sock with a cup of rice and heat in the microwave for about a minute. Test temperature before use.
4. Colloidial Silver dropped in the ear is said to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
5. Sweet Oil- drop in the ear and cover with a cotton ball. Can also be warmed.
6. Crying Child? Try a hairdryer on low (not too close!) for a little bit of warming and drying of the ear. The sound also works as white noise to calm.
7. Ear candling ~ though this would not work so well with a young child!
8. Neti Pot or Syringe. Cleaning out and hydrating the nasal passages can relieve pain and pressure thus lessening the ear infection pain.
9. Eliminate Dairy. Some believe that allergens in food can trigger ear infections.
10. Homeopathy~ here is a nifty page to help determine which homeopathic remedy could be used.
What are we missing? Do you have any tried-and-true remedies to share???
I was relieved, as we are an "antibiotics must be absolutely necessary" family, to learn that ear infections are moving over to the "not necessary" list.
This story on MSN discusses more on the topic.
OK. Whew. Good. But now what? How can we help our children fight this infection?
Some tips and things to check out~ as always check with your dr. first.
1. Water Water Water. Make sure your child is well hydrated!
2. Vitamins are always a great way to boost the immune system and allow for a healthy environment that is not conducive to harmful bacteria. Start with a Multi if your child is not already taking one. Don't skimp and do your research as not all vitamins are created equal!
Now on to Ear Specific "Natural Remedies" (in no particular order)
1. Garlic Oil dropped into the ear is a favorite of many.
2. Zinc, Vitamin C and Ecinacea ~ start at first signs of illness.
3. Heat Compress- if you do not have a store bought one, fill a tube sock with a cup of rice and heat in the microwave for about a minute. Test temperature before use.
4. Colloidial Silver dropped in the ear is said to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
5. Sweet Oil- drop in the ear and cover with a cotton ball. Can also be warmed.
6. Crying Child? Try a hairdryer on low (not too close!) for a little bit of warming and drying of the ear. The sound also works as white noise to calm.
7. Ear candling ~ though this would not work so well with a young child!
8. Neti Pot or Syringe. Cleaning out and hydrating the nasal passages can relieve pain and pressure thus lessening the ear infection pain.
9. Eliminate Dairy. Some believe that allergens in food can trigger ear infections.
10. Homeopathy~ here is a nifty page to help determine which homeopathic remedy could be used.
What are we missing? Do you have any tried-and-true remedies to share???
posted by www.frunchymama.com at
12:15 PM
2 Comments:
Luckily my kids haven't been prone to ear infections, they're such a tricky thing where you don't realize they're infected until suddenly the fever spikes. Good tips, I think I'd heard about the garlic oil one but hadn't tried it.
By
Scribbit, at 11:35 PM
breast milk in the ear works great. :)
By
Anonymous, at 5:53 PM
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