Send This Site to a Friend
Healing Children's Ear Infections Naturally
Meredith Edwards-Cornwall
Ear infections. Just the mention of it can inspire dread and fear
in the hearts of many parents. And no wonder - ear infections are
a very common ailment, with over 70% of children experiencing at
least one before the age of two.
To properly understand ear infections, it's important to know
what causes them. Most infections occur in the eustachian tube.
These tubes allow secretions from the nose and throat to drain
away; when blockages occur due to swelling or irritation, they
become blocked with these secretions and a breeding ground for
bacteria. Infants and young children have shorter eustachian
tubes, and they are positioned horizontally, making it harder to
drain easily. This may explain why babies and children are more
prone to ear infections versus adults.
Most children are prescribed antibiotics by their physicians, but
many researchers are starting to become concerned at the overuse
of antibiotics creating more problems in the long run. The
creation of "super bugs," or antibiotic resistant bacteria, and
antibiotic allergies to name but a few. in fact, recent research
performed in the Netherlands suggests that children prescribed
antibiotics for the typical ear infection did not heal faster or
better than those children given a placebo.
So what is a parent to do? Avoiding the antibiotic dance can be a
difficult task when your child is suffering from a particularly
bad infection. But many natural remedies can help ease the pain
and boost the immune system without the long term negative
effects of pharmaceutical remedies.
At the first sign of a problem, administer an echinacea and
goldenseal herbal combination. Echinacea is antiviral, while
goldenseal is a powerful antibiotic. Both help sooth irritated
membranes while building up the natural immunity in the body.
To ease the pain, give several drops of warm oil in the ear.
Traditionally "sweet oil" was used - this is simply almond oil
sold under a different name. To speed healing, try olive oil
warmed with a clove of garlic. Garlic is a highly regarded as an
antibacterial as well, and the warm oil helps the eardrum
membrane to relax, lessening the pain.
Many parents have also had good results with homeopathy. Children
who have fevers and a red face, along with a throbbing earache
should be given Belladonna 30x or 9c, two to three times daily
for one day. Earaches with teething require Chamomilla - children
with this type of earache are often crying and irritable. Use
12x, 30x, 6c, or 9c three times daily for up to two days.
It's helpful to keep your child well hydrated. Many experts
recommend avoiding dairy products as it can increase mucus
secretions, making it harder for the ear to properly drain. This
does not include breast milk, as it is considered a clear fluid
and extremely beneficial for ear problems.
Prevention is an important factor in fighting future ear
infections. Multiple studies show that exposure to cigarette
smoke is the highest risk factor for children's ear infections.
Bottle feeding is also a large risk factor for ear infections,
although the exact reason behind it is a bit unclear. Breast milk
is the ideal food for an infant, and studies have shown that
breastfed infants are less likely to suffer from ear infections
versus bottle fed infants. Limit pacifer use too - the American
Academy of Pediatrics believes that pacifier use after six months
can contribute to ear infections. Some children have found relief
by chiropractic or cranial-sacral work as well.
Meredith Edwards-Cornwall owns and operates
http://www.AttachedMamas.com, focusing on natural health for
babies, mothers, and kids. She is the mother to two small
children, and in all her spare time, she does freelance design
work from http://www.BeachDesigns.net
Find More Related Info:
Also See:
Index of Parenting & Raising Children
Teenagers & Teenage Issues
Our Health and Wellness Center
