Not just antibiotics for middle ear infection

Antibiotics in middle ear infection are no longer always the first choice

28.03.2011

A middle ear infection can overtake small and large children. The symptoms are usually very pronounced, the children often suffer from a strong, usually stabbing pain in the ear. Meanwhile, even in conventional medicine, an antibiotic is not always the first choice.

Bacterial otitis media is one of the most unpleasant and painful infectious diseases. During the disease phase, children suffer from severe and persistent earache. Many parents want a pediatrician to help them quickly to relieve the suffering of the little ones. While physicians used antibiotics as their first choice a few years ago, more and more doctors are now watching. Because the inflationary use of antibiotic drugs is increasingly critically eyed in conventional medicine. So explained Dr. Reinhard Mühlenberg, Senior Physician of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Helios Kliniken in Krefeld: „The decision whether an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin is necessary, must be done very carefully and after careful examination“.

Instead of antibiotics, painkillers
Especially if the symptoms in the ear have just begun, should first be prescribed only an analgesic drug. „Instead of an antibiotic, at first only an analgesic is prescribed“, says Wagner. This will initially alleviate the earache. Painkillers can also inhibit the inflammatory sites. After one to two days, the small patient should again represent the pediatrician, „to control the progress of the disease“, explains the pediatrician. In many cases, the inflammation is already subsiding. „However, if the ear pain has not gotten better, or if other symptoms such as fever have been added, an antibiotic is required“, emphasizes the physician.

Naturopathy in middle ear infection
In consultation with the attending physician also home remedies can be used therapeutically. For example, the antibacterial effect of onions has proven useful in children. For this you cut a fresh onion small and wrapped the pieces in a linen cloth. Then the cloth is tied together and briefly heated with hot steam. The bag is then gently placed on the ear. Due to the resulting heat, the vapors can now reach the ear. It is important that the child lies with his ear on the bag. This application can be repeated a few times. It is important that basically earache is not to be equated with a middle ear infection. Therefore, a home or pediatrician should always be consulted in case of suspicion. (Sb)

Also read:
Middle ear inflammation home remedies
Home remedy for earache

Picture: S. Hofschlaeger