Ear Infections and Children

Brought to you by: Mendez Chiropractic Center

Chiropractic care has a long history and excellent results in the treatment of childhood diseases. One that is significantly troublesome in young children are ear infections. Along with chiropractic care, the following are home remedies that can be used by the parent to alleviate and sometimes prevent this condition.

Many children suffer with recurrent infections of the middle ear. Antibiotics are frequently used, but according to some research are not affective. Likewise, inserting tubes surgically into the ear - another common conventional treatment - have not consistently provided any long-term benefits.

Dietary changes that may be helpful.
The incident of allergies among children with recurrent ear infections is much higher than among the general public. In one study, more than half of all children with current ear infections were found to be allergic to certain foods. Removing those foods lead to significant improvement in 86% of the allergic children tested.

Although sugar intake has not been studied in relation to recurrent ear infections, eating sugar is known to impair immune function.  Therefore, many nutritionally oriented doctors recommend that children with recurrent ear infections reduce or eliminate sugar from their diets.

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful.
When parents smoke, the children are more likely to have recurrent ear infections. It is important that children not the exposed to passive smoke.

Nutrients that may be helpful.
Vitamin C stimulates immune function in most studies. Vitamin C has not been studied in regard to ear infections specifically; nevertheless, nutritionist have recommended between 500 mg and 1000 mg of vitamin C per day for ear infections.

Zinc supplements increase immune functions, although the studies showing this have not focused on ear infections. Some recommend zinc supplements for anyone with recurrent infections suggesting 25 mg per day for adults and lower amounts for children for example a 30 pound child could be given 5 mg of zinc. People taking zinc for more than a few weeks should take copper as well. Taking too much zinc (several hundred milligrams per day for adults) actually depressed immune function and must be avoided.

Vitamin A is needed by the immune system. Vitamin A supplements have helped vitamin-A deficient children with measles or infectious diarrhea in many studies. Vitamin A supplements have not been studied as a treatment for ear infections in children who are not vitamin A deficient. Nevertheless, some nutritionist give children with ear infections 5000 to 10,000 IU of five and eight per day.  Women who could become pregnant should not take more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A per day.

Herbs that may be helpful. 
Some children with recurrent ear infections benefit from Echinacea, which helps support healthy immune function. Echinacea lowers the risk of colds and upper respiratory tract infections, which are common in children experiencing the current ear infections. Many people use 40 drops of the tincture 2 to 3 times per day for 6 to 8 weeks. Children can be given half the adult dose.
Ear drops with Mullein, St John's wort, and garlic in an oil base our traditional remedies used to alleviate the pressure in the middle ear during acute ear infections.
Because of its antimicrobial activity, Goldenseal has a long history of use for infections, including current ear infection.

As with any of these suggestions/recommendations it is always very important to incorporate your doctor/pediatrician in the treatment of any childhood diseases.