Ear Slime & Chronic Ear Infections

Toss this story into the "ewwwww!" file. It seems antibiotics don't work on kids with stubborn ear infections because of a viscous slime interferes. The article, shockingly, recommends surgery and ear tubes to let the slime drain.

Or, we could look in Grandma's chest and use a very easy, very effective help:

One Clove Garlic (mashed)
1/4 Cup Olive Oil

Mix the two, heat to very warm but not too hot, strain, take a small syringe (no needle) and put oil in ear. Let the kid lie on his side to let the oil stay in for a while. Let the oil drain a little when he stands up and put some cotton in there. Kids actually like this treatment. It feels great.

Garlic is anti-bacterial. Oil suffocates and suffuses the slime.

Here is the key: DO NOT use antibiotics on presumed ear infections. 80% of them are viral. The antibiotic kills the good bacteria fighting the viral invaders. It is tempting, I know. The kid may be crying. Fever. Misery. Parents must be strong and withstand the temptation for an easy out that turns out to make things worse.

Here is another key: Breastfeed for at least a year. Your kid won't get ear infections and if he or she does, they will be milder and easier to deal with.