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Q.

Are there any over-the-counter remedies for a child with an ear infection?

Related Topics: Over The Counter, Ear Infection
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A.

While there are over-the-counter (OTC) remedies and medications that can alleviate the pain and symptoms of an ear infection, there are no OTC measures that kill the bacteria in the middle ear space that actually cause the infection.

The "feel better" measures that work the best are pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or pain/anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Topical anesthetic drops are also available that are applied into the ear canal and basically numb the inflamed ear drum from the outside. But since the infection is caused by bacteria in the middle ear space on the other side of the eardrum, nothing applied externally can help kill the bacteria through the intact eardrum.

There are those that say that not all middle ear infections really need antibiotics. Before there were doctors and antibiotics, most middle ear infections did ultimately improve on their own. But a significant percentage of those untreated ear infections did not go away on their own and led to serious complications such as progression of the infection to the neighboring mastoid bone (mastoiditis), ruptured ear drums, deafness, and even spread of the infection to the spinal fluid surrounding the brain (meningitis). Antibiotics are important tools in treating ear infections, along with the "feel better" medications.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...down arrowThis answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.up arrow

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Read the Original Article: Children's Health: Ear Infection OTC Medications
 
 
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