Symptoms

Earache can indicate an infection of the external ear canal (swimmer's ear) or the middle ear, the kind that accompanies colds. Ear infections can cause mild or severe pain, or there may be no pain at all. In babies, symptoms often only include fussiness and night waking, runny nose, or fever. Sometimes all three. Ear pain tends to worsen at night while lying down. How do you know whether your baby has an ear infection? Look in the ears. Get a small home earscope (Notoco, see below) and check the eardrums for redness. You do not need to be an expert. A flushed red ear indicates an ear infection, which could be caused by a virus or bacteria. This will allow you to monitor progress of the eardrum. Or go to your health care provider and ask whether your child's ears are red. Ask for a one to ten scale of how bad the ears look.

Time to recovery

Ear infections are not dangerous. They usually resolve on their own within a week like most viruses. If pediatricians see a red ear, they will invariably prescribe antibiotics, but this can create problems. Antibiotics have a tendency to weaken the immune system and cause recurrent ear infections. Try to avoid them. Bacteria also become resistant to antibiotics if they are overused. Remember, fifty percent of ear infections are caused by viruses, and antibiotics will do nothing for these. There is no way to determine whether a virus or bacteria is causing the infection. Supportive measures and a boost to the body's defenses will usually relieve pain and solve the ear infection.

Danger signs

Persistent high fever of 102-103°
Fluid draining from the ear (not orange colored wax which is normal)
Any fever in a baby less than four months old
Prolonged illness, or significant lethargy with unresponsiveness, or severe pain

Treatment

Step 1:

Give a homeopathic medicine in a 30 strength. Two pellets as a dose. Repeat every one to three hours while your child is awake depending on the severity of symptoms. Give only one homeopathic medicine at a time. If one does not improve symptoms, then you can switch. Homeopathy will stimulate a healing reaction. When symptoms improve, stop the remedy and wait. If symptoms recur, then begin the medicine again. Remember, fevers are good. They indicate that the body is fighting the infection.

Belladonna 30c In the first stage, especially if symptoms have come on quickly and there is fever. The child is usually tired.

Hepar-sulph. 30c For any painful ear, especially if the ear seems tender to touch and the child is fussy or irritable. The most effective remedy for ear infections, and the best choice for swimmer's ear.

Pulsatilla30c For mild ear infections without severe pain, and for lingering symptoms with thickening nasal discharge.

If there is pain, place a few drops of body-temperature vegetable oil into the ear. This is soothing.

Step 2:

If pain persists despite homeopathic medicines or if pain is keeping a child awake, then give acetaminophen (Tylenol). This will allow your child to sleep while the homeopathic medicine does its job.

Step 3:

Echinacea: Non-alcoholic, glycerin preparations of ehinacea are prepared specifically for children. Some of them also contain vitamin C. Mix the echinacea with juice or water. Most health food stores stock echinacea preparations. Avoid products that contain other herbs or fillers. Echinacea stimulates the body to produce more white blood cells that fight invasion by viruses or bacteria. Stop after four to five days.

Dosage: Babies under one year: 10 drops three times per day
Children over one year: 20 drops three times per day

How to cure recurrent ear infections

Stop dairy products (cow's milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese). If you are breastfeeding, then stop dairy in your own diet. Cow's milk proteins will travel through your breast milk.

Give Colostrum, one capsule twice a day mixed with food such as applesauce. This is the first milk that is secreted in mammals for a few days after birth. It contains immune system stimulants that prevent infections. Cow's colostrum is freeze dried and packaged in capsules, which can be opened and mixed with food. Use an organic form of colostrum, such as New Life Colostrum produced by Symbiotics.

Take your child to see a homeopathic practitioner for a deeper-acting constitutional medicine. This will strengthen the system and prevent future infections. Contact the Council for Homeopathic Certification for a homeopath near you who is certified in classical homeopathy 415 789-7677, or visit the directory at their website http://www.homeopathy-council.org. Search the HPA Health Professional Directory.

Earscope

Order from Notoco, Model 1202. They also will include a book Ears: An Owner's Manual, which includes color photos of eardrums and instructions for home ear exams. Notoco, PO Box 300, Ferndale CA 95536, (707) 786-4400