earache | Imamother

Yael ↓

Tue, Nov 30 2004, 12:08 pm

how do I know if my son has an ear infection?
he has a cold and fever and is generally alot more quiet and subdued than usual., and he tells me that his ear hurts and wont let me touch it. but he doesnt seem to be bothered by it unless I touch his ear. he also has alot of dried wax around the opening of the ear canal. could it be an earache without being an infection? should I take him to the doctor or should I wait to see if it will clear up on its own? he's 2 and has never, bli ayin hara, had an ear infection before.

Tefila

Tue, Nov 30 2004, 12:27 pm

Quote:

should I take him to the doctor or should I wait to see if it will clear up on its own?

Yael unless he is in the most excruciating pain, try tylenol for the pain. Why take him to Dr who would prescribe antibiotics? I would wait it out 2 days max. I try not to go to the Dr more than nessesary. Infants though are different I would go and call non stop..or for people who suffer terrible allergys etc

Rochel Leah ↓

Tue, Nov 30 2004, 12:45 pm

Yael, even if you dont want tot ake him to a docter, I think you should because untreated ear infections could cause problems leter on in life. you could tell the doc you odnt want antibiatics and cure it other ways if you want but atleast you should know what the problem is. there is someone in the community who has severe hearing loss ,cuase her ear infections were not tkaen care.

I do ot want to scare you.,so do what works for you

rydys ↓

Tue, Nov 30 2004, 5:35 pm

If your child is old enough to say his ear hurts, I'd give him some motrin and wait a couple of days. If its viral it should get better on its own (as most ear infections will). If its getting worse, definitely take him, but he still may not need abx. A baby with ear pain should be seen earlier bec. It's hard to assess the amount of pain. If you see anything coming out, or an increased amount of wax, get him checked (not emergent--can wait till tomorrow!) bec. it may be a sign of perforation (pus can look like wax) which definitly needs abx.

miriam

Wed, Dec 01 2004, 9:37 am

Yael, I really hope he has a speedy refuah shelaimah. When earaches first start, I mix oil and crushed garlic and put a few drops in the ear. This definitely gives relief. If the earache continues after this, then you might need anitbiotics. The oil and garlic has done the job of getting rid of the infection.

↑ Yael ↓

Wed, Dec 01 2004, 2:45 pm

B"H levi looks alot better today. he's playing now, and being chutzpadik like usual and jealous of dovi so I know he's back to himself. the fever went away. but he still doesnt have much of an appetite. and still wont let me touch his ears. but I hope that with alot of rest he'll be better quickly.

↑ rydys

Mon, Dec 06 2004, 12:23 pm

sorry--I'm so used to using abreviations I forget sometimes.

It is extremely rare for a viral ear infection to grow to the point that the eardrum bursts so if that happens it is most likely a bacterial infection which needs antibiotics. Also, once the eardrum bursts, the sterile middle ear is exposed to the environment and bacteria can get inside and cause infection. That is why if the eardrum bursts we give both oral and topical antibiotics (by mouth and drops in the ear) to clear up the infection and prevent further infection.

proudmom

Mon, Dec 06 2004, 12:27 pm

I have a problem with my daughter she has an ear infection that doesnt go away. she already had it for almost a month. she has been on 2 abx and it didnt work.

Rivka

Mon, Dec 06 2004, 1:45 pm

If you are worried about a child having an ear infection do go to the Dr, I don't know how they work in the US, but here if it is viral they will tell you and will not prescribe antibiotics coz they will not help, so it is best to know for yourself that your child doesn't have an infection. If it is ear wax in the ear that is causing the pain the Dr can advise on buying ear drops or using olive oil.
If your child has a continuous infection and two types of antibiotics don't work, the only thing to do is go back to the Dr, some infections take longer time to clear up.
Also make sure you keep to the prescribed course coz if you stop for a day it is as if the course was never started.

↑ Yael

Mon, Dec 06 2004, 9:25 pm

could an ear infection that went away come back or just linger for a week? b/c my son still doesnt seem 100% back to himself, he's always tired and cranky. he still tells me dont touch when I touch his ears but I dont know if thats b/c he's scared of the pain that used to be there, or it stills bothers him. its for sure not as bad as it was b/c even if I press hard on his ear he wont scream just squirm away and tell me dont touch, but he does look uncomfortable and I see him playing with one ear alot. I'm thinking of taking him to the doctor just to be sure that its gone. what do you think?