Children’s Natural Remedies: Ear Infections
As a nurse with over 8 years of experience working with infants, it may come as a surprise to you that I prefer natural, homeopathic alternatives to Western Medicine. The birth of my son led me to extensive research on mainstream medical practices and while I find the medical model to be useful and valid in treating many illnesses, I try to find natural solutions when possible. This week we’re talking about ear infections, and I’ll preface by encouraging you to consult with your Pediatrician before trying the following remedies. While antibiotics are the most common remedy they may or may not be necessary. It is always best to consult with your physician regarding an ear infection to avoid unnecessary complications and delays in treatment. The Sears’ docs have a wonderful article that may be beneficial in determining if your child has an ear infection.
Weighing Your Options
Half of all pediatric antibiotic prescriptions are written for ear infections. While in some cases they may be beneficial, many clinicians are implementing the practice of watchful waiting for a period of time before initiating a course of antibiotics. According to the Sears’ docs, 80% of uncomplicated ear infections will resolve within four to seven days without antibiotics (AAP). Unpleasant side effects, antibiotic resistance, and recurrence are inherent risks that must be contemplated and discussed with your pediatrician. I highly recommend the following articles that highlight the risks and benefits of antibiotic use.
Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work
A Welcome Revolution in Ear Infection Treatment by Dr. Alan Greene
An Ounce of Prevention…
Breast is best! My son just turned one and has never had an ear infection. Perhaps that is because we are still breastfeeding. Breastfeeding, for any duration, boosts your child’s immune system thereby decreasing his susceptibility.
Chew on this! If your child is old enough to chew gum, it may help to relieve pressure in the ears. Xylitol, a naturally occurring wood-derived sugar used in your favorite gum, has been found to inhibit bacterial growth, particularly the organism most commonly isolated in ear infections (AAP). Bonus: Xylitol prevents dental cavities.
Boot the bottle! I struggled for months to get my son to take a bottle only to be told at his 9-month wellness check that it was time to introduce the sippy cup. Babies who drink from a bottle, particularly at bedtime when they are lying down, are at an increased risk. Milk can irritate the Eustachian tube thereby contributing to ear infections.
If your child is suffering with ear pain, regardless of whether or not it has been diagnosed as an ear infection, the following methods may be helpful in providing some relief.
Of note, many herbs are hypothesized to aid in the relief and treatment of ear infections, however I purposefully avoided their mention. Federal regulations regarding appropriate dosing, safety, or efficacy are lacking. If you do decide to use any of the recommended herbs, I encourage you to consult your pediatrician. Check out Mothering Magazine’s article Healing Ear Infections: Why Antibiotics Are Not the Best Treatment.
Well Worth a Try
Warm it up! The American Academy of Pediatrics and The Sears’ docs recommend the use of warm compresses for pain relief. Try a warm washcloth, water bottle, or rice sack heated in the microwave. Be sure to test the temperature of the heat source on the inside of your arm.
Oil…Not just for the car! Placing several drops of warm (but not too hot) olive, vegetable, or garlic oil may relieve the pain and discomfort of an ear infection (Dr. Sears’). Of note: Do not put anything inside your child’s ear when drainage is present.
DIY? Check out this article on Healthy & Green Living
Check out the following alternatives to conventional pain relievers, available in your local natural market:
Similasan’s Children’s Earache Relief
Hyland’s Homeopathic Earache Tablets and Earache Drops
If you’d like to read a wonderful book on all-natural remedies for ear infections, pick up Michael Schmidt’s book entitled Healing Childhood Ear Infections.
Stay tuned next week as I wrap up my series on all-natural children’s remedies.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
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