Ear Infection: To treat or not to treat?

Question

I have a 16 month old daughter who I took to the ER a couple of nights ago and discovered she has ear infections in both her ears. They gave her a prescription of amoxicilian, which she had an allergic reaction to. I want to take her back to the doctor and see if there is another antibiotic we can try, but my husband is very much against it. He wants to not treat the ear infections and just let them go away by themselves. He says that antibiotics are what causes staph infections and she doesn't need them. My brothers are both partially deaf in one of their ears because of severe ear infections when they were younger, so I am very skeptical and worried. So my question really is, will ear infections just go away on their own, or does she need to be treated!?

Answer 1

Trust you instincts and take your daughter back to the doctor. Ear infections and hearing loss are also hereditary in my family, and I learned the hard way not to ignore the symptoms.

Answer 2

I'm sorry your husband feels this way; however, you need to take your daughter back to the dr & ask for a different antibiotic. Ear infections may or may not disappear on their own, but the physician follow-up is critical to make sure that the infection has truly cleared up. A person who has consistent ear infections runs a higher risk of losing their hearing, can destroy the inner/middle ear, and a whole host of other serious issues.

Please ignore your husband & trust your "mother's instinct" and take your child back to the doctor.

Answer 3

Absolutely not!! Antibiotics do not cause staph! So many children lose their hearing from repeated ear infections. These kiddos are so resilient sometimes and do not let us know their ears are even bothering them, we take them to the doc and they've got double ear infections. If your daughter has developed a PCN allergy, there are more antibiotics that can be used. Not to worry - she should be treated. Ear infections can lead to sinus problems which can lead to serious problems in the body. True, sometimes the doc likes to watch the ears for a few days without treating, but let's leave that up to the doc.

Answer 4

Sorry to say this but your husband is dead wrong. Infants and toddlers doesn't have a fully developed immune system like us adults,that is why we have these supplements, vitamins, and immunizations to protect them from their early years. Now your daughter might have already has a severe case of ear infection,considering both of her ear are now infected. Yes, this would lead eventually to deafness if not treated early and properly and in most cases sepsis (sepsis is infection in the brain),considering the close proximity of the ear canal to our brain, and this could have irreversible damage to our brain. With regards to the antibiotic regimen, there are a lot brands and generics to choose from,and if your daughter is allergic to one of them, doctors would prescribe you another antibiotics. Maybe an allergic test would be done first before prescribing a new one. So please have your daughter see a physician immediately.

Answer 5

ear infections can go away on their own, I get them a lot cause I swim. But in a child that young, I'd suggest you either talk t a Homeopathic doctor (who will tell you a natural way to help) or go back to your pediatrician. A double infection is pretty scarry when we're talking about a chance to become deaf.
good luck, hope she feels better soon.

Answer 6

It might go away...or the infection may cause deafness. In any case, your daughter needs a full allergy workup so you don't give her anything in the future that may kill her by accident.

Answer 7

Did you already tried using Tinnitus Miracle mechanism? Go to this url : http://www.TinnitusGoGo.com/ . This is able to extremely manage one and all!

Answer 8

you should treat it. you should clean the ear with hydrogen peroxide and put some gold bond ointment on it.