Treating Childhood Ear Infections Naturally

Middle Ear infections, called Otitis Media, are becoming more and more common amongst infants and children of the twentieth century. It has been reported that ear infections increased 150 Percent between 1975 and 1990. Childhood ear infections can be the result of a viral infection, bacteria, inflammation and even emotional stress. With the rise in antibiotic treatments, infant formula and use of cows milk, many holistic practitioners are citing these factors as some of the main reasons for the increase in ear infections in children.

Inner ear infections result in severe pain related to fluid retention, causing pressure on the ear drum. The risks are high if left untreated and can cause permanent hearing loss due to a ruptured or fractured ear drum. Outer ear infections result in inflammation and redness with a dull ache when the earlobe is pulled or pressure is exerted on the ear.

When an infant or child has a highly mucilaginous diet, full of heavily saturated fats from cheese, milk, refined sugar, red meat and other processed foods, frequent episodes of colds or runny nose can occur and may block the Eustachian tube of the inner ear, causing it to fill with mucus and become inflamed. Inflammatory fluid builds up, and over time bacteria can multiply causing painful chronic infection of the middle ear.

Another documented source of ear infection has been linked to pacifier and bottle use. A non-breastfed infant is at a greater risk of ear infection due to being placed on his/her back with a pacifier or bottle, which can cause nasal and throat bacteria to drip into the inner ear canal and cause under-developed Eustachian tubes to swell.

Children with frequent ear infections may be at risk for more serious illnesses as they age. Autism, ADHD hearing loss, language delay and certain neurological problems may either be the result of chronic ear infections or the antibiotics given to treat them.

One third of all ear infections are Viral. Now that we know that antibiotics do not kill viruses, why do doctors continue to prescribe antibiotics for many ear infections? It is simply because there is no way to tell if an ear infection is viral unless the inner ear drum is pierced and the fluid is drained for testing. Many studies have shown that short term antibiotic use has little effect and that no treatment is often better, minimizing the risk of harmful bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics and the antibiotics killing off any remaining helpful bacteria in the ear.

Natural remedies have been successful in the treatment and cure of ear infections for centuries by addressing the root cause of the problem.

Before rushing your child at the last minute to the emergency room for drainage and drugs, know the signs and symptoms and treat naturally.

To avoid swimmer’s ear, drop a few drops of white vinegar into your child’s ear after swimming to kill bacteria.

Be conscious of your child’s emotional environment, children who “block” out what is being said to them may require a different approach to communication, sometimes emotional barriers manifest in the physical.

When your child has reddened or inflamed ears, try using a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling. Couple this with light, yet firm massage on pressure points along the jaw, backs of the ears, cheekbones and top of the head.

The first line of defense is to make sure the home environment is free of unnecessary pollutants and toxins, such as harsh chemical cleaners, sulphuric products and cigarette smoke which can be the cause of allergies and asthma.

Make sure their diets are well balanced and healthy and avoid dairy products which may cause a build up of mucus to form in infected areas, such as the upper respiratory system. Adjusting your child’s diet to include more raw fruits and vegetables and reducing dairy, red meat and processed foods will show an automatic immune response by improving energy, creating a more stable internal environment, strengthening liver function to fight toxins and balancing internal flora. When your child has an infection serve only foods that are seasonal and do not have extreme temperatures. Serve juice or tea lukewarm, do not let them eat ice cream or freezer pops. Warmer foods help to decrease the mucus in the system.

The immune system can be supported by enhancing your child’s diet with vital herbs such as garlic, a powerful anti-viral and anti-microbial; elderberry which has been clinically proven to fight cold and flu and strengthen the immune system overall; Echinacea acts as a lymphatic decongestant and its powerful antimicrobial functions make it the ideal herb for treating any viral, bacterial or fungal infection.

Mullein and Garlic Oil dropped directly into the ear acts as an analgesic and anti-bacterial, ridding the inner ear of infection and easing pain. Drop 3 drops into the infected ear and have your child rest on a pillow on their side for 5-10 minutes. Repeat on the opposite side. In the meantime, wrap the hot water bottle in a towel and place under the other ear. A substitute for this or additional to the oil can be Calendula Oil.

Above all, your child’s comfort in times of illness is important. Rest and relaxation aid in easing discomfort. Chamomile tea is an excellent and gentle sleep aid and Valerian Glycerite is a superior calmative for fussy infants and children of all ages.

If the infection persists more than 4-5 days seek medical advice. It is often the case that fluid from an inner ear infection can remain in the ear anywhere from 2-3 months. Fever may occur with infection, it is important to become comfortable with the notion of fever as a detoxification agent, cleaning out the system naturally and preparing for a new, healthier internal environment to be born. You can support this natural healing process with the use of herbs and natural health remedies. By following these measures you can reduce the chance of your child getting painful chronic ear infections and improve their long term health overall.