Does anyone know if a child can develop an ear infection without being congested or having a runny nose? My almost 9 month old has been very fussy the past couple of days, even waking up at night several times crying. And he is usually a very good sleeper. He has had no congestion/runny nose or fever, but this morning he was grabbing his ear (as he was crying). Now I know he could just be playing with his ear. So that episode now has me wondering. I am thinking of taking him to the dr. for a "look over" to make sure...but I just don't know. Have you guys ever heard of having an ear infection without congestion/runny nose? I am very new to the ear infection world as my older son never had any. Any help is appreciated!
Forgot to add...he is not teething. At leat no new "bumps" that I see coming in. And he never acted like this when his other 6 teeth came in.
Thanks for all the responses! I took our son to the dr yesterday afternoon. First of all they couldn't even see his ear drum in his right ear bc it was impacted with a ton of wax. They had to irrigate it...poor fella didn't care for that. But it did end up being an ear infection. So I'm glad I took him in. When I mentioned to the dr. that he had no congestion, the dr. kind of laughed and said that in his experience ear infections can come at any time and any place. Go figure! Thanks!
Yes it is because and ear infection is a back up of the sinuses or his sinuses are plugged up farther up into the head. Not all kids show the tell tale signs of ear infections either. My son had too and we never knew till he walked around off balance from them.
Good luck!
S.
Take him to the doctor. It's entirely possible to have an ear infection with no other apparent symptoms though usually something else is going on (it just may be something else that doesnt' "show"). Don't wait for congestion or a runny nose to turn up, get the ears checked today. I wouldn't ever wait for advice here on Mamapedia before trying the doctor!
First I want to say yes, take him to a doctor, but I have seen many mothers take their babies to a good chiropractor for an ear infection and were always, 100% of the time very satisfied with the outcome. The chiropractor understands what causes the ear infection and helps change the environment in the ear so that the infection heals naturally. It very well may be that this happens in relationship to teething, but most often these things occur following a vaccine or because a new food was introduced and there is a slight allergic response that causes fluid to build up in the ear. The natural and beneficial bacteria that lives on our skin and hair simply gather because of the fluid build up. The chiropractor teaches the parents to perform a massage that allows the ear to drain and suggests that you do this massage each time you change the diapers. In 1 to 3 days, the infection is cleared up, but the baby starts to feel some relief quickly. Then, the chiropractor will help you identify what caused the allergic response in the first place so that you can avoid that source. I have worked around chiropractors for many years and this has always worked.
I have seen many children taken to an MD for an ear infection. They are given an antibiotic that can have a terrible effect on their digestive tract, alter the lining of the intestinal tract, and then have a difficult time normalizing the intestines again. This can lead to so many other problems. The worst is that it may lead to more food allergies which will only cause more ear infections and will keep the cycle of ear infections and antibiotics going on and on. I read a book by an MD when my son was a baby. This cycle of medication causing illness was explained by a medical doctor.
The other thing this MD warned about was that, after the antibiotics keep the cycle of ear infections going for a year or two, they recommend putting a hole in the eardrum and placing an artificial tube in the ear so that the fluids cannot build up and attract the bacterial to congregate there. By this time, the child may have many digestive problems which lead to behavioral problems, will still have the allergies which will continue to create immune responses, and will now have to be put under general anesthesia for a surgery than can adversely effect his hearing later in life. This MD was correct. I have seen this happen again and again.
So, think of it this way. If you try the natural approach of the chiropractor and it does not work, at least no damage has been caused and you can still take your child to an MD.
Another thing I would like to suggest is that you might call you child's doctor and ask how he treats an ear infection. Today, some MD are picking up on how intelligently chiropractors have been dealing with children's ear infections and have stepped a bit outside the strict medical model to give babies superior care.
Good luck with this, dear A.. Hope your little guy is feeling better soon!
With 3 kids, I've never had an ear infection WITH a runny nose! The last ear infection in my youngest had (he was 9 months at the time), the ONLY indication was occasional crying while laying down (I thought he just didn't want to go to sleep!). Then his ear started to ooze! No fever. I took him in because it didn't look right and the infection was so bad that his eardrum had burst! I have never felt so horrible as a mom.
yes, especially if he had a runny nose previously and it has cleared up....... but yes is the answer.
A.:
I totally understand....
However, teething can start way before you see the bumps....more drool...
yes, I've seen ear infections without congestion or runny nose!! URGH!!! I know how frustrating it is!!
The pulling of the ears is a typical sign of an ear infection. My youngest didn't get fevers with his - he just got them. We had tubes put in when he was a year old and hasn't had one since.
Good luck! I hope your little guy is back to himself quick!
my son never had congestion with his ear infections. he kept putting his finger in his ear. i gently blew in his ear to see what he would do. when he started crying, i took him to the dloctor.
Pulling his ear can also mean that his cranial bones need adjusting. Find a Webster Chiropractor, and get him checked.
Be careful w/ taking him for a look over- honestly if you get antibiotics-then statistically he'll have them again. Best to never start if possible.
best, k
For sure!! Both of my kids have had sooooooo many ear infections (one finally had tubes put in) and grabbing the ear is a sure sign. My oldest is 6 and she just had a double ear infection this past Wednesday. She was bouncing around acting 100% normal, but kept saying her ears were bugging her.
I would take the baby in and have the ears checked.
