It is very common to hear about children who are having problems with their ears. Ear infections, fluid in the ears, and earaches are all problems that parents deal with on a daily basis. For some kids, these problems occur over and over again during their childhoods with antibiotics being administered repeatedly with no lasting relief. So what can be done about ears?

According to Dr. Salomeh Keyhani, an assistant professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, “ear infection is the most common illness which children present to the doctor.” So if your child is among those going to the doctor for an ear infection, why not take an antibiotic? One problem with antibiotic use is the increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), past successes with antibiotics have encouraged the overuse and misuse of these medications, with the result being a global problem with resistance. Some of the WHO’s advice for reducing this problem are: improving health and nutrition, which will increase resistance to infection; reducing patient pressure for unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions (having the parent insist on an antibiotic prescription); and exploring alternative therapies that boost immunity to infection.