Has anyone had a child with chronic ear infections and tried a lactose free diet to try and prevent them?

Question

I have a 3 year old whp gets chronic ear infection (1 a month) and doctors have told me that grommets will do no good. I am at my wits end with her as her bahavior is TERRIBLE when she has an ear infection and she is in pain all the time. I have heard that a lactose free diet may help, wondering if anyone has had a similar problem and if a lactose free diet helped??

Thanks everyone for your advice. The ENT spec said that she doesnt have glue ear so grommetts will not help. He suspects she has allergies and said to try antihistimines to keep her nose clear, the only problem is that she get ear infections without any warning(no runny nose etc) so this really isnt a help.

Answer 1

I'm an Audiologist.

First of all, I want to ask what the explanation was that the doctors gave to tell you that grommets (we call them tubes here in the USA) won't help? On the button bar below your question, you will see a pencil to Edit Question, scroll over that and select "Add Details" and you can enter more information.

There are several types of ear infections. They can be in the ear canal, often called "swimmer's ear" (external otitis) which are usually treated with anti-baterial/anti-fungal drops and ear plugs to keep water out of the ear while bathing and swimming.

The most common ear infection is when fluid builds up behind the eardrum and bacteria breeds in it. This is a middle ear infection (otitis media) which is usually treated with oral antibiotics. Sometimes decongestants and antihistamines are also recommended to help the fluid drain/dry up; however, recent studies suggest that they aren't very effective. Some children with allergies are more prone to ear infections, and some people do believe that dairy does cause increased mucous, so minimizing/eliminating dairy might help them from coming back - but first you have to get rid of the middle ear fluid that is already there.

When the patient is not responding to medications for middle ear infections, the surgery to place the grommets/tubes is recommended. It is a very simple procedure and for adults it is typically performed right in the Doctor's office using only a local anesthetic. Children need general anesthesia to keep them still, because the ear structures are so very tiny. The doctor makes a small incision in the eardrum, cleans the fluid out of the middle ear space, and places the grommet tube in the eardrum incision. The tube will allow the pressure in the middle ear space to stay equalized with the air pressure in the environment, so that the fluid will not be drawn into the middle ear by negative pressure that happens when the Eustachian tubes are not functioning properly. In most cases, the tubes are designed to fall out on their own as the eardrum heals, which usually happens 6-12 months after the surgery. While the tubes are in place, it is important to keep water out of the ears, because just a little water with some bacteria can get through the tune and into the middle ear and breed an infection that will then drain out of the tube and requires antibiotics in oral and dropper form.

Also, it is frequently determined that enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils prevent the fluid from draining out through the Eustachian tube, so removal of those is commonly performed at the same time as the placement of the tubes. If the child often has sore throats or snores/breathes through the mouth often, this may be the case.

Inner ear infections will effect the cochlea and/or labyrinth and will cause symptoms like sudden hearing loss, noises in the ear(s) and spinning dizziness.

Answer 2

There is a connection between dairy intolerance and recurring ear infections. My son had a severe dairy allergy and recurring ear infections. The ENT confirmed this connection with us. Additionally my brother is lactose intolerant and had many ear problems associated with recurring ear infections. While both brother and son do not ingest dairy products due to their allergies, still had ear problems. While there is a connection, stopping the lactose doesn't stop the infections. Find a good ENT and make certain there is no smoke around the child.

Answer 3

I have never heard of this lactose free diet to stop ear infections but i will say my youngest was on lactose free formula due to the fact my first 2 kids were allergic to lactose so they just went ahead and did the same with my 3rd and my 3rd had MORE ear infections then my older 2 combined, so i dont think lactose has anything to do with it

Answer 4

If you are feeding a food with corn, wheat, or soy that could be the problem. Food allergies can cause itchy, red ears. Do his ears stink? Has the vet said anything about a yeast infection? If so, try a little Monistat - the over the counter medication that women use for yeast infections. Just wipe a little in his ears with a cotton ball.

Answer 5

This was me when I was little. Antibiotic after antibiotic, threats of tubes in the ears, etc etc etc.

Finally, we saw a "good 'ol boy" type doctor who said "pour a shot of Everclear (grain alcohol) in her ear, it'll dry it up".

Mom and dad did it...yeah, it stung some...but I never had an ear infection again.

Worth a shot...it won't hurt your baby to do it. I lost hearing from the antibiotics and constant infection...don't let your baby, too.