Ear Infections - Chicago, IL

Updated on January 18, 2007
E.G. asks from Chicago, IL
5 answers

Hello! My 21-month-old daughter has allergies and currently takes zyrtec and singulair. She has also had 8 ear infections in just as many months. She has been on amoxicillin, azithromyacin, omnicef, and now cefprozil. When she goes in for her two-week check after completing the course of antibiotics, the ear infections are gone. Her doctor has explained to me that because of her allergies, she is suceptible to ear infections (due to an increase of fluid in her ears), which is why she develops a new infection about once a month. (She has had three in the last six weeks.)

I asked about tubes at our last appointment (Tuesday), and her doctor told me that tubes will only help those children whose ear infections are resistant to antibiotics, or if there is a hearing loss from the infections. He said he would not have tubes put in her ears; he also said she will have 5-6 ear infections a year throughout her childhood because of her allergies.

My questions:
1. Has anyone else had this experience with their child (ear infections due to allergies)? If so, what course of treatment did you follow?

2. Am I crazy, or does the fact that she has been on so many different antibiotics indicate some form of antibiotic-resistant bacteria? Or is each ear infection a different bacteria? And if so, how can he tell by looking in her ears for 5 to 10 seconds? I am not a scientist-- so if any of you are doctors or nurses or bacteriologists, feel free to educate me a little bit.

I actually like my doctor a lot (although this request may lead you to believe the opposite).

Thanks for your input-- I appreciate it!

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K.

answers from Chicago on

Hi E.,
I'm not a medical doctor, but the most recent journal articles that I've read indicate that most (upwards of 80-90%) ear infections will actually clear on their own. You might ask your doctor if he/she is familiar with the current research on this topic, and if not, see if you can talk to someone who is. It may be that doing nothing is as good as throwing every drug you can think of at the problem... As for the tubes, I think docs use these as a last resort option these days, since it's quite disruptive to the child.

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L.Y.

answers from Chicago on

Hi E.,
My oldest daughter who is now 18 had several ear infections from 8 months up until the age of 2 years when I decided to have tubes put in her ears. I was never told her infections were due to any allergies, it was said that she was retaining fluid behind the eardrums because of a lack of air to the ear, thus leading to the tubes and she never had infections like that again. She maybe had one or two since but that's it. I'm no doctor but it sounds to me like the tubes would be a right step. My daughter also became immune to the antibiotics. I would get a second opinion. I took my daughter to the E.N.T (ears,nose & throat) specialist on Taylor street U of I area. They were great! Just a side note: They say the tubes fall out on their own. well one fell out and the other was removed at the age of 15! Go figure. Good luck to you. warm regards,L.

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B.O.

answers from Chicago on

hi E., I am not a MD, but these seems to me too much medication for a little baby take her to another doctor

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A.B.

answers from Chicago on

I would get a second opinion from an Ear, Nose, Throat doctor.

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

E.,
You are absolutely right. You are creating a vicious cycle. There are some nutritional alternatives that I would be happy to share with you if you are interested.

We did a nutritional alternative to antibiotics when my 3 year old has his first ear infection and it worked wonders. We are currently in the process of doing more research on what is causing his allergies and dealing with them without drugs.

Please let me know if you are interested in hearing more about what I have found that works!
Good Luck!
B.

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