3 Year Old with Earache--what to Do???

Updated on December 29, 2009
A.C. asks from Keller, TX
4 answers

Hope someone can help us better than the doctors have...my 3 year old had recurrent ear infections as a baby/1 year old, so we got tubes in his ears. That worked great for one ear, but he would keep saying his ear hurt after swimming or during allergy season in the other ear. We've taken him to the doctor so many times in case it's an infection but they would just say nothings wrong. We took him to the ENT because that tube hadn't fallen out, and he said nothings wrong. But last night he was wailing in pain, almost like a panic cry because it was hurting so bad. It's due to a cold that he currently has. All the medicines say he's too young to take them (cold meds) and the doctors haven't given us any ideas on how to treat him to ease his pain, so I was wondering if you moms had info on what to do for a toddler's cold if they can't take otc meds, and how to ease the pain in his ear if it's a sinus thing. Exhausted and drained, and hate hearing my son in pain. Any ideas would be appreciated!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the help. We took him to the doctor and he had an ear infection in the ear that had the tube fall out (one tube still in)...with no fever though??? Different this time around...SO glad we got seen then! Took notes and talked to the doctor about ear drops, onion juice, warm heating pad, etc and really appreciate your help moms. Will also work to improve his nutrition (easy to give in to the nuggets, just to make him eat).

More Answers

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

Does he still have tubes in his ears? Have you had them checked lately? Sometimes the tubes can be clogged and then fluid can build up in the middle ear just like it did when he had ear infections and the pressure can be very painful. If you have drops left over from surgery, you can try using them for several days....they are usually antibiotic drops called Floxin otic or HC Otic. They can help unclog the tube.

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D.B.

answers from York on

There are lots of things to try. Eliminate dairy in the diet to start.
Warmth helps a lot, so making a warm pad (see joint pain things at the pharamacy) that you gently warm up and have the child lay on his head on the warm pillow with his ear on the warmest.

The best pain relief for us was "onion juice". just smash an onion to squeeze out the juice warmed a several seconds only in the microwave. add to a bit of water and drop it in the ear. We had miraculous instant relief for our daughter! see #9 below. "For gripping ear pain just put some drops of warm onion juice"

here is more....My husband found this list on the Internet and we keep it nearby. In fact, we used this remedy recently with our 17 year old!

Earaches can be caused by infection or disease in the ear itself infection in the nose, mouth, or throat infection
or harm to jawbones changes in altitude or air pressure a build-up of ear wax and an object, development, or insect in the ear.

It is a pain in the middle or inner ear. Earache is ordinary, but does not always occur. Fever, giddiness, nausea,
or vomiting may also take place with earaches. An earache is most normally caused by trapped moisture in the inner ear
and by small injury to the ear canal.

An earache results most often from puffiness in the eustachian tube (a small tube that attaches the ear to the nose).
Increased pressure in the ear leads to pain, itching, hearing loss, and swelling somewhere else in the ear-an earache has been born.
The ache of an ear may be sharp, dull, or hurting.

Here is a list of some best Home Remedies for Earache:

Home Remedies for Earache

1) Put some drops of hydrogen peroxide in the aching ear as this is a good Home Remedy for Earache.

2) Put two drops of holy basil leaves’ juice in the aching ear to heal earache.

3) Cut a piece of garlic. wrap it with a piece of cotton ball, immerse it with alcohol. Squeeze the excess alcohol
and put it in the ear that aches. This remedy is effective Home Remedy for Earache.

4) Immerse half a cotton wool ball in olive oil put in the microwave (approx 20 seconds) till its warm not hot,
squeeze out excess oil so its damp, then put in ear.

5) Pour some garlic juice in the paining ear as its antibiotic characters help to relieve the pain.

6) A good Home Remedy for Earache is to Crush a garlic clove and wrap in kitchen towel, then squeeze the juice
into the ear, wrap a small quantity of the crushed garlic in a little bit more kitchen towel and place softly in the ear and leave for 30mins or so.

7) Steep 1-2 teaspoon of chamomile flowers in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Strain out the water, and apply the
hot flowers in a cloth for lessening of the earache.

8) Heat up some olive oil in a microwave for 30 seconds then apply it to the ear that hurts.

9) For gripping ear pain just put some drops of warm onion juice and your pain will just vanish away in a moment.
This is another good Home Remedy for Earache.

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

Can you use the numbing drops with tubes? It's a prescription ear drop for kids wiht ear infections to ease pain & I know I used it on my 18 mth old. Maybe see if they'll call you in some but I'm not sure about using it with tubes. And if you call up to the pedi &* beg, they'll tell you the doesing for OTC stuff like triaminic - we've had good luck with the purple one for nighttime. But I had to call & beg the nurse for something since neither of us were getting any sleep!

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi A.,
As the mother of a 23 year old that was plagued with ear infections as a child I truly understand. I have a couple of ideas.
1-I would take your son to the doctor to rule out ear infection. If he does not have one he may have what is called "phantom pain." Either way there are drops the doctor can prescribe that numb the ear to help with the pain.
2-I didn't know this when my son was small but pre and probiotics can make a difference in keeping your son free of ear infections.
3-Build his immunity to help him fight off or get as many colds with vitamins and good nutrition.
4-Alfalfa tabs can be ground and sprinkled on his food to be used as a natural antihistamine.
I learned all this in the past few years. Wish I'd known and begun my small health and wellness business when my children were young. I have some great vitamins that I believe could really make a difference for your boy. If you would like more info just contact me.
All the Best,
P.
____@____.com

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