Help for a child's ear infections and hearing loss

[ElaineB]

Hello!

My beautiful nephew had three ear infections last year. Now, he has been diagnosed with hearing loss as a result. The doctors want to do surgery to get rid of the fluid and ringing in his ears. I am desperately searching for alternative solutions.

Does anyone have any suggestions please?

I am looking for specific things to tell an already overwhelmed mom. She knows about raw and juicing. Are there any specific foods, juices, alternative treatments that you can suggest that would heal the hearing loss, drain the clogged fluid, and help her son be healthy again?

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Elaine

p.s. - My nephew is 5 years old.

[ElaineB]

Hi!

I wasn't sure the best place to post this. So, I am posting this request in both the raising raw kids and health. Cherie, feel free to delete it if I posted it in the wrong place. Here is my concern:

My beautiful nephew had three ear infections last year. Now, he has been diagnosed with hearing loss as a result. The doctors want to do surgery to get rid of the fluid and ringing in his ears. I am desperately searching for alternative solutions.

Does anyone have any suggestions please?

I am looking for specific things to tell an already overwhelmed mom. She knows about raw and juicing. Are there any specific foods, juices, alternative treatments that you can suggest that would heal the hearing loss, drain the clogged fluid, and help her son be healthy again?

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Elaine

p.s. - My nephew is 5 years old.

[michigan roman]

i know its said cows milk is hard to digest and can cause some type build up in ears so maybe quiting dairy helps .

[Rawkinlocs]

Awww the poor baby!

Well, firstly, I agree with Michigan Roman...if he is consuming ANY dairy products at all, this needs to be totally eliminated from his diet ASAP!

I don't think there are any specific foods in particular, but just eating raw, period, would be a great place to start. I would also consider contacting RawNora - www.rawschool.com - either via email or on her forum (link is on her site)

[michigan roman]

ive read mullien in oil form for ear infections applied externally .

and im reading here in michael castlemans herbal '100 healing herbs' that ECHINACEA helps in ear infections , if dont know its a very commonly sold tea that many use as a cold fighter .

[exurb]

I don't know exactly what his precise problem is about the fluid and draining etc., but I do know of the protocol in Scandinavian countries for treating childhood ear infections to be to give NO antibiotics and continue to monitor until it resolves itself. The new thinking is that they're better off without ANY antibiotics in most but not all cases. It does requires a little closer monitoring and repeat visits to check on the situation to make sure no damage is being done. It seems there are many resistant and recurrent infections, so the ones that get antibiotics also seem to have repeat visits anyway.

I agree that milk is probably problematic. Maybe some warm compresses to the area, which could also sort of steam into the ear if it was something hot and most like a steamy wet towel. Warm in general brings the body's own healing abilities to an area, more blood flow, etc., and also can raise the temp to help conquer microorganisms the way our own body does with a fever. I was amazed when a Swedish pharmacist told me to use hot steamy towels on a resistant eye infection. After three antibiotics didn't cure it, the regular use of hot steamy towels regularly finally did the job.

I would also go out of my way to not add any water to the ear, use earplugs while bathing or swimming, etc.

Is the hearing loss they're talking about a temporary thing? What was his history with antibiotics and previous treatments? Is the infection gone now?

I would also say it is of prime importance not to blow anything into the ear, as follows. Many people tell small children not to suck in their snot, that it's rude to sniff, that they should blow their nose, but medically speaking, sniffing it in is MUCH better than trying to blow it out. Blowing it out puts the pressure in the direction that can blow germy stuff into the ear. Sucking it in puts the pressure in the direction to drain from the ear towards the throat to be swallowed downward. So I wouldn't have your nephew ever blow his nose until this is resolved. Yeah, it's kind of gross to suck in your snot, it's considered bad manners too, perhaps not to be done at work or on a date or something if you're an adult :eek: ...

The other thing that might help is this, but it's a little unpleasant at first, but the after effects feel great... is you make a bowl of warm fairly strong salt water. You suck it in through your nose, and let it run out of your mouth/spit it out your mouth (that is what your body will do with it after you suck it in). The salt will not only dry things out and help drain, but will also help unswell the tissues in the area.

The ear is connected to the throat by tiny tubes called Eustachian tubes, and you can send germy stuff easily into those tubes and the ear, by pressure from blowing your nose, etc.

Good luck to the little man!

[ElaineB]

These are all great suggestions!

My nephew was on antibiotics for ear infections last year. He now has ringing in his ears and failed a hearing test. He is going to a specialist that recommends surgery. They think a pocket of fluid is stuck in his ears.

I did hear of a chiropractic procedure that helps clear ears of ear infections. I sent the information to my sister, and I am pretty sure she will pursue this option. I absolutely agree about the dairy!

I am going to pass on the other suggestions. I think my sister is very motivated to try anything before resorting to surgery. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful answers!

Warmly,
Elaine

p.s. - I bet kids really do know best. When I saw him last week, he kept sniffing. I gave him a kleenex to blow his nose, but he wouldn't do it. So, I really smiled at the snifing suggestion. :D

[Brooksidejane]

We have done some amazing things in our home using ear candles. Usually available at health food stores.

[juliebove]

I agree about the dairy. It won't cause problems in and of itself, but if you are allergic, it can cause infections.

[TheWildChild]

I don't wish to sound out of line, I know Doctor seems to be a bad word here, but please, for your nephew's sake, keep a very close eye on this and if surgery is the only way DO IT.

Since childhood I had numerous ear infections, so bad my eardrum would rupture time and again. I suffered hearing loss from this alone, but the accumulation of tissue from the ruptures caused what is called a cholesteatoma, a tumor, in my ear, that eats away at the bones of hearing and the skull.

I've now had 2 of them removed, am deaf in one ear and impaired in the other, have Meniere's disease, and will eventually be deaf.

This isn't something to take lightly. When I was a child, the "popular" thing to do was put tubes in children's ears. When they suggested it for me, my mother refused because I loved to swim. I was one that should have had it done.

I am not against alternative medicine, but please don't wait too long for results for this child, if you would like links I have many about the ears and complications.

My two cents worth

[RowanC]

At any herbs store you should be able to get mullein garlic oil. Get it TODAY and put it in the ear 3 to 5 times daily. I cured ear infections in my own kids and myself with this. It WORKS.

NO to surgery! NO to antibiotics. Just wait.. the worst thing that might happen is if the ear drains itself... in which case it will heal itself also. Unless he is in horrible pain, I´d use only the mullein oil..
In the meantime, ANY waarmed oil, like olive oil, will help soften the drum and sooth the pain and help the ear to drain.

You can put olive oil in a teasspoon and heat it. BE CAREFUL... NOT TOO HOT.. only warm.. test it with your finger, then pour it in the ear and hold it for a minute or put cotton in there. If he won´t let you put warm oil, just put oil.

My mom used to blow hot cigarette smoke into our ears.. which sounds gross, but also worked.

[TheWildChild]

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_home_remedies_used_ear_infections_children_00 0078_9.htm

I would like to add the link for the University of Maryland Medical Center, and will pray for your young nephew. My specialist has advised against most oils or home remedies as the oils can become rancid and further complicate the problem.

Best wishes

[ElaineB]

Thank you Wild Child for your personal story. That is always my biggest fear if I go the alternative medicine route instead of using Western medicine. Overtime, I have learned great respect for both Western and Eastern medicine. Please know that my family is open to ALL suggestions. We have found the most success when using the best of both worlds.

I am so grateful for everyone's suggestions. Thank you!

[TheWildChild]

Elaine,

Please feel free to email me if you would like to talk further. This is a matter close to my heart for obvious reasons, and I am more than happy to help in any way I can.

My specialist is Dr. Mitchell Schwaber, from the Nashville ENT Clinic. He is a pioneer in research of Meniere's disease.

http://www.nashvilleent.com/providers/schwaber.php

I guess my concern stems from the fact that surgery has already been suggested. Hearing loss and especially tinnitus have life long repercussions. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can become so loud it's like sirens in your head! Balance disorders, depth perception (yes it can affect the eyes too), vertigo....

It is a very serious matter and he is lucky to have an aunt so concerned!

[michigan roman]

in terms of rancid oils problem , which makes sense to me , im pretty sure a few years ago i did a bit of studying on the ear infection topic cuz a friends 10 year old was having reacuring ones and i read from several sources that you squeeze the oil out of ginger root to apply in ear , applying warmth say with a hot towel was also mentioned many times for i believe the purpose of loosening / flushing built up fluids . i think the ginger use is from eastern / chinesse medicine , and it could be bought fresh at grocery so no rancidness worry .

[chilove]

Hello there,

Having him go raw would be the best, but definitely have his mother take him off of all dairy, grains and processed foods at the very least.

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[luckitri]

Thank you Wild Child. . . I also am wary of doctors and western medicine but I wanted to say what you were saying but I don't have your knowledge. I think as a parent, if I learned that I had brought this on my child by not going to the doctor I would never forgive myself. A friend had Meniere's disease in both ears and was almost homeless because of it.....she could get no help because they would not consider that she had the Menieres in both ears so she was already reduced to public assistance but they could not assist her in getting back to work with a hearing aid if they had no diagnosis. Well she fought and finally got a hearing aid and back to work but being hearing impaired is no fun....she couldn't even understand what was going on at her own wedding! Also people don't understand that Meniere's can fluctuate in severity and would accuse her of faking it for attention or to avoid work. What a mess. She had used to sing for a living but could not - even though she still had perfect pitch and could carry the tune she lost that career. I will say that being at auction with her was funny and dangerous - in trying to explain to her what was going on I almost got stuff I didn't want!

I guess knowing when to do the holistic traditional way and when to go to a doctor takes alot of weighing and getting input.

[Tombi]

Greetings ElaineB,

My son Isaak is about 60-75% raw (depending on the day and his mood...LOL) and he came down with an ear infection a couple of weeks ago. I refuse to use antibiotics and he is completely vegan. I did warm some oil of oregano a put a couple of drops in his ear. The effect is warming and it is uncomfortable for a couple of minutes but the pain stops immediately when it stops and at least for Isaak it did not come back.

One Love
Ntombi

[firefaery]

Onion juice is honestly one of the most effective remedies for an ear infection-provided the eardrum hasn't ruptured. Just juice an onion and put a couple of drops in the affected ear several times a day. Mullein oil combined with garlic is a close second-but I do have concerns about rancidity and always make it myself (which is quite easy.)

I highly recommend chiropractic care. Subluxated cervial vertebrae can cause chronic infections and prevent drainage.

I would also pursue treatment with a homeopath.

Eating raw garlic and onion will also help to clear the infection, though it won't touch the underlying cause.

[ElaineB]

Thank you again everyone!

They rushed my nephew to the emergency room on Friday night because the pain was so bad. His mom called today to say she was very grateful for all the suggestions. She is pursuing all of them to see what works.

Smile,
Elaine

p.s. - Hey Ntombi, thanks for your story about your son. It really relieves the mom guilt to know that he still got ear infections being mostly raw. My sister knows all about raw and does the best she can with the kids. We all agree it would be great, and sometimes moms do the best they can in each moment. I know this episode is prompting some new changes in the entire family. I am eager to see what happens next. Thanks again for sharing!

[cracker]

I am not a doctor. I have been studing to become master herbalist. In the last months now. been doing for three years. In those studies is how I found out about the raw way of eating.... So I believe in it. I have used on many family members. My grand children encluded.. In fact my daughter in law of five years DOES NOT believe in anything I do.. Since I have been doing the raw and feelingso much better. She ask (for the first time) for my help and opionion with ear ache & infectionin my 9 month old grand daughter. I gave her bottles of what I am fixing to tell you, in two days no infection, no crying of pain. They were already into their third week and second very powerful antibiotic. She was not getting better only got a yeast infection, poor baby. Anyway oil of garlic, (warmed up) a few drops rub base of ear so all air bubbles come out, Garlic is one of mother natures best natural antibiothic. Three cloves can equal a bottle of antibiotic. We chop it up in honey and make a sandwich. Great for Strep throat. Anyway, if your sister has a well stocked health food store hopefully they carry Dr Christophers formulas, get Ear & Nerve Formula (can also but on line) If used faithfully it will heal ear ache and restore his hearing, but not over night. May take a couple of months. This also should be warmed up and put on top of the garlic morning and night until hearing returns. of course insert cotton afterwards. You can make the ear & nerve formula if you can find the herbs I prefer that because I like fresh but Dr Christophers was one of the greatest herbalist in last century. The formula has black cohosh root, blue cohosh root, blue vervain, scullcap, & lobelia. Both formulas will be brown color and smell, may stain clothes so keep cotton in. She will always have some on shelf after this I bet you. Good luck As I said I know from experience it works, Seen it time and again. you may contact me if you need recipe for the formulas

[cracker]

I am not a doctor. I have been studing to become master herbalist. In the last months of studies now. been doing for three years. In those studies is how I found out about the raw way of eating.... So I believe in my studies. I have used on many family members. My grand children included.. In fact my daughter in law of five years DOES NOT believe in anything I do.. Since I have been doing the raw and feeling so much better. (She is now coming over to my believes) She ask (for the first time) for my help and opinion with ear ache & infection in my 9 month old grand daughter. I gave her bottles of what I am fixing to tell you, in two days no infection, no crying of pain. They were already into their third week of illness & antibiotics and second very powerful antibiotic. She was not getting better only got a yeast infection, poor baby. Anyway oil of garlic, (warmed up) a few drops rub base of ear so all air bubbles come out, Garlic is one of mother natures best natural antibiothic. Three cloves can equal a bottle of antibiotic. We chop it up in honey and make a sandwich. Great for Strep throat. Anyway, if your sister has a well stocked health food store hopefully they carry Dr Christophers formulas, get Ear & Nerve Formula (can also get on line) If used faithfully it will heal ear ache and restore his hearing, but not over night. May take a couple of months. This also should be warmed up and put in ear after the oil of garlic,use both at same time a couple drops of each, morning and night until hearing returns. of course insert cotton afterwards. You can make the ear & nerve formula if you can find the herbs I prefer that because I like fresh but Dr Christophers was one of the greatest herbalist in last century. So go on line or to a health food place and just purchase hi. The formula has black cohosh root, blue cohosh root, blue vervain, scullcap, & lobelia. Both formulas will be brown color and smell, may stain clothes so keep cotton in. She will always have some on shelf after this I bet you. Good luck As I said I know from experience it works, Seen it time and again. you may contact me if you need recipe for the formulas

[exurb]

Personally, I think chiropractic as a treatment for something like this is totally out of line.

[ElaineB]

Thank you Cracker for all the information. I'll be going to the health food story and to see if I can find what you suggest.

Smile,
Elaine

[amanda]

I'm 18 and I've had reoccuring ear infections MY WHOLE LIFE.. I went on 100 % raw for a month 1/2 and then went off of that for various reasons. It didn't really do anything for my ears.. :(

I guess I need to go back to being vegan and try and be all raw, I feel likein it's hard in the winter months because it's soooooo cold here & produce is pricey & with school & other things I feel like I don't have any time...

Anyways, I have an ear infection again right now and I feel like it has never gone away, it just passes from one ear to the next.. I've been doing mullein gralic drops, vitamin c, zinc, vitamins, b12, now im going to start taking more GSE.

Do you think if I can go all raw again for a longer period of time the infections will disappear? Does anyone know if chiropractors/acupuncture really works? I'm desperate when it comes to these ear infections! I wish I could get rid of them :-/

[michigan roman]

Amanda ,

i was just thinking about this topic of going raw / detoxing ( cleaning out cells , tissues etc so they are healthfully functioning / disease resistant ) and how long before results . say in my case im 48 , a total s.a.d. eater til 33 then became cooked vegan til going mostly raw 3 years ago then all raw a year ago . at first when started raw i did like 7 fast from 3 to 16 days over a 6 month period and was thinking 'ya ive flushed out all the pollution ' . but now i realize that for us modern people whove always ate cooked its gonna take us many years to clean out our cells / tissues / organs / bones / etc , even at your young 18 age youve got , IMO , years of internal cleansing to go . REMEMBER THIS IS ALL MY OPINION - IM NOT EDUCATED ON DIET BUT HAVE READ OVER FIFTY BOOKS ON HEALTH - DIET - NUTRITION - NATURAL HEALING . so to me its a marathon not a sprint , ya just gotta keep plodding along and believing in raw cuz no matter what anyone scientist included say it just makes too much sense to ignore .

and from what ive read on the ear infection topic DAIRY is a problem cuz its hard to digest and some how undigested mucous created by it ends up in ears causing problems , so if on any thats a prob .
and alot of people , herbalist - nutritionist , say high levels of garlic in bloodstream fend of infection and if not doing so my way of getting garlic is pulverizing cloves of it with fresh basil as the base for my raw apple cider vinegar and cold pressed olive oil salad dressing , with other herbs added - though not salt cuz i believe salts one of modern peoples big dietary wrongs IMO .

and i know what you say about raw in winter cuz of produce shortage and i just simplify then to like nuts seeds bananas simplesalads , and also try to throw in some one or 2 day fast every couple weeks to shrink up stomach during that time . its like a good time to burn off fat when there aint much real fresh to eat , and were so used to eating way too much then is needed that this time of lesser eating during winter is probally great for us .

keep on RAWking

[paradise2]

I totally agree about the dairy being a big culprit, I think that it is because of all the bacteria in the milk. My kids are mostly vegan and have had only one ear infection and that one I can track to water getting in the ear.