Chronic Ear Infections

Clinical experience has revealed the following:

• The signs and symptoms of an acute ear infection will resolve within 24-48 hours. At this point I ask parents to get their child’s ear rechecked by their GP to confirm this by physical examination.
• The most common immediate response to the correct homeopathic remedy is that the child will calm down and sometimes even fall asleep. This can occur within minutes of giving the remedy. This means that paracetamol is usually not required either.
• In instances where the first remedy has been ineffective of the prescription will be changed.
• I have had an increasing number of GP referrals for the treatment of recurrent ear infections as a result of this strategy and because of parent referrals due to the effective treatment of their child.
• I have found that more of my clients and their families have adopted homeopathy for other health needs due to the effective treatment of recurrent ear infections than any other condition with the possible exception of extreme teething pain.

Case Study

Huia brought her small baby Mariri to me in December of 2002 due to her tendency to get croup. She had also had three ear infections within as many months. The first ear infection occurred at around 3 months of age. Treatment so far had been with antibiotics.

On the whole Mariri was a happy, placid and contented baby who hardly complained with the ear infections. She was quite a warm baby and sweated a lot from her head even when not overdressed. The ear infections seemed to coincide with her catching a cold. She did not like to go to bed on her own; she wanted her mother. She was feeding quite well and did not suffer from any digestive problems.

I prescribed a remedy for Mariri to help strengthen her immune system so as to prevent further illnesses. Despite this Huia rang to say that she had another ear infection and a repeat of the remedy failed to help her (having been checked as directed by the GP). At this point the remedy was changed. Huia reported that within one hour of giving the new remedy Mariri had settled and her nose was not so gunky. Huia said that she was also happier and more cheerful in herself. Her appetite and sleep had improved too.

The GP was due to check Mariri’s ears to confirm our belief that the remedy was correct later that day. The doctor reported that her eardrums were no longer red and bulging.

A month later Huia reported that Mariri had had no more ear infections and continued to be happier in herself. She was generally more interactive and she had cut two bottom teeth.

Her remedy has needed to be repeated occasionally and she has responded well each time. She has become less clingy and less mucousy. There haven't been any more ear infections and she has required no more antibiotics.

This case was submitted by Nicki Walker, a registered member of NZCH, who has a homeopathic practice in Wellington. For contact details please refer to Find a Homeopath on this website.