Natural Holistic Health Blog

Information on Ear infections in Children

Ear infections are a very common complaint in young children and it is estimated that 10 million children are treated for a middle ear infection (Otitis media) in the US each year.

Middle ear infections affect the area behind the ear drum and a build-up of fluid and pus behind the ear drum leads to raised pressure, pain and decreased hearing.

Infection in the outer ear canal, called otitis externa, can also cause inflammation, pain, discharge from the ear and itchiness. Ear infections are most common in children between the ages of six months and three years.

There are a number of possible causes of ear infections and bacteria, viruses and fungi can all be to blame. Colds and allergies may also have a role to play when they cause inflammation of the Eustachian tube, blocking normal drainage of the ear and leading to middle ear infection.

Young children are more likely than others to develop middle ear infections because when the Eustachian tube is still maturing, it is oriented more horizontally than vertically, making drainage more difficult than it is in older children. Fluids can collect and become blocked, creating an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and other organisms.

In many cases, ear infections recur after conventional treatment and may become chronic and difficult to get rid of. Many parents express concern over the frequent need for antibiotic treatment in children who seem to have one ear infection after the other, especially those who are prone to congestion, colds and flu.

Symptoms of Ear Infections:

In infants and toddlers, look for the following warning signs of an ear infection:

* Pulling or scratching at the ear
* Hearing problems
* Discharge/fluids draining from the ear
* Irritability and crying
* Fever (possibly red cheeks)
* Vomiting
* Difficulty falling asleep

Older children may also complain of:

* Pain or aching in one or both of the ears
* Itching of the ears
* Dizziness or loss of balance
* Nausea

What is the conventional treatment for ear infections?

Treatment depends on the cause of the itching. For example, if itching is related to thrush, antifungal creams may be prescribed to treat the problem. If itching is due to a food allergy, then the allergen should be identified and avoided. Treatment may be topical (i.e. applied to the surface of the skin) to stop the itching and may also include oral medications such as anti-histamines.

How can natural remedies help?

Natural remedies can effectively reduce the pain, inflammation, throbbing and discomfort of ear infections and treat the underlying causes without the side-effects and lowered immune functioning so common with antibiotic use.

Natural remedies can also be very effective in the prevention of recurring ear infections, thereby guarding against hearing impairment caused by chronic ear infections.

What are Eddy Ear Sprinkles?

Eddy Ear Sprinkles are a safe and effective, internal treatment for ear infections, specially formulated for babies and children under 10 years old (adults and children over 10 use Ear-Heal Drops).

Eddy Ear Sprinkles are an effective natural alternative to antibiotic treatment of junior ear infections and are an excellent companion to our Ear-Ok ear drops, which are used internally directly in the ear. Eddy Ear Sprinkles are very easy to administer to babies and small children.

Use Eddy Ear Sprinkles:

* To safely treat ear infections in babies and children under 10
* As a natural alternative to antibiotic treatment of ear infections
* To treat bacterial, viral and fungal infections of the ear
* As a companion to Ear-Ok ear drops for a complete solution
* To reduce inflammation, pain and throbbing in the ears
* To prevent recurrence of chronic ear infections
* To boost immune system functioning

What are the Ingredients?

Eddy Ear Sprinkles contain the following herbal and homeopathic ingredients:

Chamomile was regarded by ancient Anglo-Saxons as one of the nine sacred herbs given to the world. In modern times it is widely used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and soothing herb. Chamomile is also used for treating common infections including colds, bronchitis, throat and ear infections.

Echinacea purpurea is the best known and researched herb for stimulating the immune system. Over 500 scientific studies have documented the effectiveness of this herb. Research has shown that Echinacea increases the activity of the