Human ear is divided into three sections - outer ear, middle ear and the inner ear. Ear infection is often the reason to visit an ear specialist. There are two main types of ear infection - otitis media and otitis externa. Otitis media is the infection of the middle ear, found mainly among infants and children. Otitis externa also known as swimmer’s ear is the infection of the external ear. Ear infection is more commonly seen in boys and in winter season. Ear infection is not contagious.

The main symptom is an earache. It can be mild, or it can hurt a lot. Babies and young children may be fussy. They may pull at their ears and cry. They may have trouble sleeping or hearing. They may have a Fever.
You may see thick, yellow fluid coming from their ears. This happens when the infection has caused the eardrum to burst and the fluid flows out. This is not serious and usually makes the pain go away. The eardrum usually heals on its own.

When fluid builds up but does not get infected, children often say that their ears just feel plugged. They may have trouble hearing, but their hearing usually returns to normal after the fluid is gone. It may take weeks for the fluid to drain away.

• Pain and itch in the infected ear
• Fever
• feeling sick
• Hearing problem in the infected ear
• Dizziness in some cases
• Fluid discharge from the infected ear
• Vomiting.

• Itch in the infected ear
• Discharge from the infected ear
• Pain getting more severe by movement of the ear lobe or the jaw
• Temporary reduction in hearing
• Slight Fever
• Inflammation in the ear.

 

The main cause of otitis media is blockage of the Eustachian tube due to cold, allergy or some foreign particles in the ear. This causes fluid to build up in the middle ear. This fluid can cause swelling of the ear drum if infected by the virus. If adenoid glands interfere with the Eustachian tube it will cause otitis media. Weak immune system will not cure the infection.

Otitis externa is caused by the Bacteria or fungi. Moist and wet conditions are favorable for the growth of these Bacteria or fungi. Frequent swimming or exposure to water increases the chances of infection. Skin allergies can also cause otitis externa. Besides all these some other factors like nutritional deficiency, allergy and other infections may also cause ear infection.

Otitis media is the most common pediatric problem, affecting 2/3 of children, with 50% increase in incidence over the last ten years. While 21% of ALL antibiotics are used for childhood ear infections, as many as 80% of these are due to antibiotic-resistant strains, viruses, fungi or where no infective agent can be found. Children treated with antibiotics have recurrences 2 to 6 times more often than untreated children. Antibiotics cause injury to the immune system and set the stage for long-term systematic fungal infection. In fact, 90% of otitis cases are due to fluid accumulation in the middle ear from food allergies (especially dairy). Ear infections are often related to intestinal dysbiosis and are much commoner in children who are not breastfed. Vaccines are another factor that can initiate chronic otitis.

Garlic is a wide-spectrum antibiotic which has been shown to be effective against almost 800 strains of Bacteria and 500 types of fungus. It is a safe antiseptic agent. Make a soothing ear oil by heating 1/8 cup of olive oil in a frying pan. Crush 2 cloves of Garlic and put in the pan. Heat the Garlic and oil but do not allow the Garlic to burn. Stir the Garlic in the oil and warm until the smell of Garlic is in the air. Strain into a glass bottle with dropper lid. Allow to cool to touch. Apply 3-5 drops of warm Garlic oil in the affected ear. Allow the child to lay still, with the ear facing the ceiling until the oil has dripped down the canal. The earache should subside shortly.

PLANTAIN oil in the ear is pain-relieving, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It is effective for ear pain during teething, after dental work or toothache. When used directly in the ear, it treats neuralgia of ear radiating into the face, teeth. It promotes tissue healing, dries up ear secretions and checks bleeding.

When used in eardrops it alleviates nerve sensitivity, pain and infection. It’ has strong antiviral action, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. It increases immune function and aids T cells while treating irritability.

Do not use ear drops if the ear drum is perforated or is draining. Avoid all herbs (and honey) in young infants

 

 

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