Ear Infection in 10 month old?

[GeorginaA]

Sorry, it seems to be my "ask Mumsnet" day today.

Ds2 has had a really grotty cold this week - nose constant stream (to the point of it hardly being worth wiping it), really red eyes, quite miserable but only "cold" miserable - not more than you would expect.

2 days ago he had a bit of a temperature which was easily brought down with nurofen and later on medised. Hasn't really been warm today, except a slight tough before lunch and because he was grizzly we pre-empted with nurofen so he'd get a good sleep.

Anyway, I've noticed that the poor mite is leaking out of just about every facial orifice! He's got gunky eyes, streaming nose, dribbly mouth (think he's teething for good measure) and his left ear is gunky too (same colour as his gunky eye). Don't think it's smeared in from his nose (despite his best efforts!) as it's still moist and well inside his ear - more crusty as you get further out (yes, I know tmi!)

Is this an ear infection? I'm a bit of a newbie - ds1 always went straight for the eye and chest infections With eyes I'm fairly experienced, just bathe with saline and/or breastmilk until they go away. If they're more stubborn go for over the counter cream or visit doctor for anti-bs but only if I really have to. Is there a similar procedure for gunky ears? Or is it automatic, straight to the doctor for anti-bs?

He doesn't seem particularly bothered by it. Was playing quite happily this morning and only got a bit grizzly after lunch as he was tired and fed up I think.

[swiperfox]

Hiya - It's me, ZC, just having a bit of a change!! DS is 9 months now and got an ear infection the other week - there was gunk streaming from his ear which dried into like, crystalised gunk!! (Nice!!) 3 weeks and 2 lots of anti-biotics later its still not 100% better. I'd get him to the docs tomorrow for some medicine in case its really hurting him. Poor little soul!

[GeorginaA]

Eeep, had hoped to avoid anti-biotics. Yes, will camp out at the surgery in the morning.

Have just been having a google and it says that gunk coming out means the eardrum has burst?! Um, that's really bad isn't it?! Feel a really bad mother now, but he really hasn't given any indication that this has been anything other than a normally bad cold...

WHY do they always choose to get sick at a weekend, too?!

[Nemo1977]

hi no advice hun just hope ur ds gets better
also apoligies for other day i thought u were another MNetter and think my post prob semeed harsh about ur techno advvice so sorry

[swiperfox]

always the way isnt it?? I hope it doesnt mean a burst eardrum!!! Although the doc has looked in ds's ears twice now and surely would have noticed. My sister is kicking me offline now but will be back later so will catch up with you

[GeorginaA]

LOL Nemo, no problem

Ta swiper - like the new nickname btw

[Prufrock]

Yes - it does mean a burst, or at least a perforated eardrum. Ds had it 2 weeks ago. the good news is, once it bursts, they are on the mend. The pressure in the middle ear is relieved so the pain will have stopped. Bad news - it does mean AB's I'm afraid - once the eradrum has burst they are necessary to prevent infection getting in from the outside, which can (rarely) result in serious complications. This was the advice from my quite anti - antibiotics GP. So get him down there tomorrow G.

[GeorginaA]

Thanks prufrock, will do.

[GeorginaA]

Um, do you think it's an emergency docs now situation or a wait until Monday morning situation?

[pipsy1]

I would say Monday is fine. An ENT friend of mine says they don't recommend ABs for ear infections as once a child has had one they are likely to have more. Once eardrum has burst then it gets better quite quickly but maybe best to get GP to check just in case there is any infection still left.

[Aimsmum]

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[GeorginaA]

Well I phoned the out of hours doc and they said to come in just to check. Glad I did - poor mite has an infected nose, infected eyes and infected ear. Feel really really guilty for not taking him in earlier, but he's been happy enough!

He's been given nose drops and antibiotic syrup and I'm under strict orders to go and visit my own GP tomorrow as well because she's particularly concerned about the ear and wants someone else to check it out too.

Feel like the worst mother now...

[GeorginaA]

Okay, more panicking (sorry!)

Went to my regular GP today, she couldn't see anything other than general signs of infection (slight swelling, still signs of crustiness - lovely!) but said that the hole is often just a small pinprick that the pus comes out of.

She also said to be very careful while in the bath NOT to get any water in the ear for a while. However, I've just remembered dh gave him a bath last night and he said he specifically cleaned the ear because it was so crusty! ARGH - have we done him any damage if water got in?

[dinosaur]

GeorginaA can't give you au categorical answer to your question but my DH did the same thing with DS3 when DS3 had a burst eardrum at the beginning of January and afaik DS3 didn't suffer any lasting harm.

DS3 didn't have antibiotics either and he recovered quickly although had a further although not so serious infection a few weeks later when more gunk seeped from his ear. Our GP said that opinion is divided on whether or not they should have antibiotics.

[swiperfox]

Hiya - I'm glad you started this thread! DS still has some gunk leaking from his ear and I cleaned them in the bath last night!!! I'm thinking about getting him checked again at baby clinic tomorrow, although i'm not really wanting to give him any more ab's as he's had two lots over the last month for his ear!
Did you get given antibiotics Georgina?

[handlemecarefully]

Flaming hell Aimsmum - 15 times!!!!!!

[GeorginaA]

Yes - the emergency doc thought it was necessary and I spoke to my regular GP today, and her opinion is that abs aren't always as evil as they're painted, and she pointed out that even a generation ago, babies could get very ill from ear infection complications and resultant deafness.

She said that the body is pretty good at sorting out infection on its own, but her policy was to recommend abs in the case of ear infections because of the potential seriousness in the case of complications.

I thought that was fair enough.

[swiperfox]

sounds fair enough - at least they're justified. DS has just had diahorrea - surely he cant get this sickness bug again !?! He's been not right on and off for 3/4 weeks now poor thing!

[GeorginaA]

there's a lot of sickness bugs doing the rounds this winter, too. Poor mite.

[Aimsmum]

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[handlemecarefully]

Any lasting hearing impairment Aimsmum? (I hope not)


and Georgina A - I hope ds feels better soon

[GeorginaA]

Oh, I think he's feeling better. He's discovered how to climb on top of a (small) upturned toybox, then getting stuck and screaming to be let down!! sigh

[GeorginaA]

Oh and he's started pulling himself to standing too. As you can tell, his balance is a bit dodgy with the ear infection

[Aimsmum]

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