Whoever is up, how do you search the board - my son has severe

[Shelly in IL]

pain from an ear infection.

[Cathy in SoCal]

I believe you just hit search at the right top. I'm so sorry to hear about your son. Can you call his doctor? I always am hesitant to call the answering service, but it sounds like you don't need to be in this case. I'll pray for him now.

[gardenschooler]

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/search.php?searchid=162703

You can click up in the right hand corner and enter your search terms (I did it for you - just click on the link above).

Hope he gets some relief!

[Mrs Mungo]

A folk remedy for ear infections is to warm a little bit of olive oil and drip it into the ear. It works *incredibly* well (i have a lot of ear infections, my kids never get them). One word of caution-do not do this if you suspect the ear drum may have ruptured.

[Karen sn]

Hyland's makes a homeopathic ear ache formula that REALLY works fast.
Years ago dd was crying out in pain - a kid who NEVER cried!
I was thinking ER stat because it came on SO SUDDENLY! But I sent my mom to the health food store with the name HYLAND'S in her hand.

It worked and fast.
My mom was floored.

Try it.

[Karen sn]

http://www.hylandsearache.com/info.php

[Tap, tap, tap]

Warm olive oil in the ear

Hair dryer to warm the ear

This one sounds odd but...Cook a potato in the microwave for a few minutes until hot. Put the potato in a thick sock. Use the potato for a hot pack. The reason this works is that it is localized, warm, Moist heat.

Sit upright, not laying down. Try different positions.

Give the child an antihistamine and a decongestant.

And of course a stout dose of Tylenol or Motrin.

[CalicoKat]

I'm always one to wait until we use antiboitics but the last time we had this situation he told me that the sudden severe pain is always a sign of infection. The slow ache isn't always necessarily bacterial, it may be a virus.

In my experience I'd be taking this kid into a walk-up clinic.