African American doctor looking into the ears of a young girl. Antibiotics are often prescribed for ear infections. Some times needlessly. This is part of the reason we have an antibiotic epidemic.
    Ear Infections and the Antibiotic Epidemic

    We?re finding more and more that the prolific prescription of antibiotics is not the panacea it was once thought to be. Not only do antibiotics disrupt healthy digestion, but overuse can even lead to …

    Toddler with big ears, sad face and drool. Does he need Garlic Oil for Ear Infections?
    Olive Oil and Garlic for Ear Infection Pain

    Ear infections can hurt! Topical drops can ease the pain while watching to see if antibiotics are necessary. And if antibiotics are needed, while waiting for antibiotics to take effect. A study in the…

    Ear infections are vanishing: four key ideas for parents
    Ear infections are vanishing: four key ideas for parents

    I remember, not long ago, seeing many children with ear infections every day I was in the office ? children that were often up screaming the night before. Today it's not surprising to go an entire day…

    Clindamycin
    Clindamycin

    Clindamycin is strong antibiotic used to treat difficult bacterial infections in children. You might see a brand name such as Cleocin on the label. It comes as liquid or capsules, and is also availabl…

    Clarithromycin
    Clarithromycin

    Clarithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children. You might see a brand name such as Biaxin on the label. It comes as liquid, tablets, or extended…

    Cefdinir
    Cefdinir

    Cefdinir is an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children. You might see a brand name such as Omnicef on the label. It belongs to the cephalosporin family of ant…

    Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
    Amoxicillin-Clavulanate

    Amoxicillin-clavulanate is a strong combination antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children. The clavulanate makes it difficult for some resistant bacteria to wit…

    Ceftriaxone
    Ceftriaxone

    Ceftriaxone is a broad spectrum antibiotic that can be given by injection. It's used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children and is sometimes called by the brand name Rocephi…

    Cefuroxime
    Cefuroxime

    Cefuroxime is an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections in children. You might see a brand name such as Ceftin on the label. It belongs to the cephalosporin family of an…

    Choosing a Green Pediatrician
    Choosing a Green Pediatrician

    As you did when choosing an ob/gyn, you want to find a pediatrician who is top-notch medically. How much better if he or she is also on the journey to an environmentally sustainable perspective on ped…

    Ear Drops for Some Ear Infections
    Ear Drops for Some Ear Infections

    If fluid from the middle ear space is draining out of the ear in a child with an acute ear infection (acute otitis media), there must be an opening in the eardrum - the air-tight membrane that separat…

    Treating Painful Swimmers’ Ear
    Treating Painful Swimmers’ Ear

    Each year over 6 million cases of swimmer's ear will cause kids (and adults) painful infections in the ear canal - interrupting many vacations and days of summer fun. People deserve speedy, safe, effe…

    Ear Tubes and Hearing
    Ear Tubes and Hearing

    As many as 700,000 children each year in the United States have ear tubes placed surgically to treat chronic and recurrent fluid behind the ear drum (otitis media with effusion, or OME). A study in th…

    MRSA Ear Infections
    MRSA Ear Infections

    MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus) is the name of a feared, antibiotic resistant, species of bacteria that can cause serious infections, especially in hospitals or in those whose immune systems…

    The Best Antibiotics for Ear Infections
    The Best Antibiotics for Ear Infections

    The 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for the treatment of ear infections includes specific recommendation for which antibiotics should be used in different situations. Most ear infection…

    Who Should Get Antibiotics for Ear Infections?
    Who Should Get Antibiotics for Ear Infections?

    The consensus, evidence-based 2004 guidelines recommend that children under 6 months of age with red hot ear infections should be treated with antibiotics for 10 days and pain relief for at least the …

    The Antibiotic Hoax
    The Antibiotic Hoax

    Most parents are taught to think that if an antibiotic is given to their child for an ear infection, the medicine will help the child to recover. Not necessarily! (more…)…

    Focus on Pain
    Focus on Pain

    I've long said that doctors should be giving more pain medicines than antibiotics to children with ear infections - because every child with an ear that is inflamed enough to need antibiotics clearly …

    Vanilla Ear Infections/Red Hot Infections
    Vanilla Ear Infections/Red Hot Infections

    With garden-variety ear infections (what doctors call otitis media with effusion, or OME), germ-filled fluid is present in the middle ear. Most ear infections in children are OME. We've known for abou…

    Revolution in Ear Infection Treatment
    Revolution in Ear Infection Treatment

    Contrary to common practice, most children with ear infections should not be treated with antibiotics, according to powerful, evidence-based guidelines released in March 2004 by the American Academy o…