Q. What do you recommend to help prevent ear infections?

Q. What do you recommend to help prevent ear infections? -JoAnne

Hello Dr. Huber,
I have a question concerning allergies. My daughter I believe is suffering from allergies. She has had a runny nose and cough for a couple weeks now. Last week we noticed some drainage in her ear and took her to our pediatrician only to discover a ruptured eardrum and infection in the other ear. Do you have any suggestions other than over-the-counter medications to help dry up the nose before it moves into an infection? Thanks so much! BTW great talk on Saturday. -JoAnne

Hi JoAnne,

Sorry to hear of your daughters ear problems. A ruptured eardrum is quite painful.

Your immune system is what prevents and devours foreign virus and bacteria. Keeping it strong is always your best defense. Milk is known to contribute to recurrent ear infections, throat and respiratory infections and asthma. So definitely avoid milk and cows dairy products.

Keep your gut healthy with proper organic foods that are free of antibiotics and toxins and take probiotics to restore gut flora (healthy bacteria).

The bowel is home to 70% of your immune function so an unhappy bowel will result in increased infections.

When virus or bacteria do manage to gain entry and set up shop then it’s time to use vitamin D in large doses and vitamin C. See out post of flu prevention for doses and guidelines.

In general, getting your vitamin D level measured is a good idea as we live in Ohio which is NOT the sunshine state. Exposure to sunshine is how we make the very important vitamin D that our immune system needs.

Get plenty of water and avoid sugar. Sugar will suppress your immune system, so a can of pop or a high sugar snack or meal leaves you prone to infection as well as leading you to diabetic risk which is the king of infectious hell.

For runny nose and sinus congestion I would recommend a neti pot or nasaline syringe to irrigate the nasal passages. Salt water nasal sprays also work well.

Vitamin D in large doses are advised. Talk with your well-informed health care provider about proper use of this valuable adjunct.