Helpful Hints: What You Can Do if Your Little One Has an Ear Infection Its that time of year! Colds, ear infections, and coughs! Fortunately there are natural remedies that work beautifully in most cases. Ear infection is the most common reason for a pediatric office visit, and one of the most common conditions leading to antibiotic over-prescription. Antibiotics treatment is considered appropriate (though not always necessary) for babies under 6 months old with known or suspected ear infections, and sometimes for children ages 6 months to 2 years with severe infection. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving parents the option of waiting 48-72 hours for babies over two to see if symptoms resolve on their own before using an antibiotic. Approximately 80% of kids with acute otitis media get better without antibiotics! Botanicals • Garlic-Mullein Oil: The classic herbal remedy for ear infections is garlic-mullein oil. In 30 years of herbal practice, I’ve rarely had to turn to anything else. Garlic is a natural antimicrobial, addressing infections of both a bacterial and viral nature. Mullein is an analgesic, relieving the pain associated with earaches. NEVER PUT ANYTHING IN THE EAR IF YOU SUSPECT EARDRUM RUPTURE OF IF THERE IS DRAINAGE FROM THE EAR. • St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Oil is a natural antiviral and analgesic, and can be used as an alternative to garlic-mullein oil, though I prefer the latter. • Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) – Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) tincture (a 50/50 combination) is a reliable alternative to ibuprofen or Tylenol for pain relief. Give 3-5 drops to children under 5; 5-15 drops to children 5-12, and 1-2 mL to older children. Repeat the dose in 15, then every 2-4 hours as needed. Jamaican dogwood is said to cause respiratory paralysis in excessive doses. Though this is extremely unlikely (Ive never heard of this REALLY happening) do not exceed the above doses and keep out of reach of children. Here are additional helpful measures: • Let your child sleep on a slightly filled WARM hot water bottle—if it is overly full it will be too firm to rest on comfortable (do NOT use a heating pad) • Use firm but gentle massage all around the jaw and head in the area adjacent to the ear. Massage in a downward direction behind the ear on the neck and apply gentle inward pressure in front of the ear toward the cheek (about where sideburns would be). • Kids who drink a lot of juice and dairy products may get more earaches. Cut back on juice and milk during the infection and for at least three days after the earache symptoms have resolved. • Give echinacea to help boost the immune system • Give zinc to children who are over 5 (10-30 mg/day based on age) Zinc can upset the tummy so give with food. Zinc Elderberry Lozenges are well tolerated. When to Consult with a Doctor • Pain that won’t resolve • High fever and persistent ear pain • Drainage from the ear • Neck pain or stiffness Blog to come on coughs this week! For more deets and to hear me chat about ear infections, come on over to:
Posted on: Sat, 15 Feb 2014 12:35:06 +0000
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