Venting/looking for advice re: ear infections/antibiotics

[lucylou]

Backstory-we are supposed to leave for our first trip to Disney World on Saturday and my family is sick. H got put on antibiotic for a sinus infection this weekend. His dr was saying how it was good he came when he did because there was a lot of pressure in his ears and he might not have been able to fly.
My cold symptoms had cleared up except pressure and a little soreness in my ears but that scared me so I went. She told me I did NOT have an infection but there was pressure and some pinkness and because of the flying, put me on an antibiotic to be safe. Fine.

Well, my 12 month old has had a cold (mainly just a bad runny nose, fussy) for like 2 weeks. It was almost clear but the last 2 mornings it was thicker and more yellow so I took him in today to be safe. The ped said one ear had some fluid in it and was a little red so she put him on an antibiotic since we are leaving. She said it wasn’t awful or bulging or anything and she wasn’t worried about him flying.
Ok so after only 1 dose of amoxicillin he has diarrhea and butt is already getting red and rash-y even though I changed him right away. I started a probiotic too. I’m having flash backs to when my DS1 was on antibiotics as a baby and had raging diarrhea and horrible diaper rash. I was washing his butt with soap and water after every BM and letting him soak in a baking soda bath a few times a day. I can’t imagine dealing with this at Disney. Constantly finding changing tables, sweat/humidity irritating the rash, worrying about dehydration, baby sitting for hours on sore butt, etc.

I’m wondering if the antibiotic is even necessary? I plan to call tomorrow but tonight I’m spiraling and looking for personal experiences. I’ve read articles that antibiotics are way over prescribed for ear infections. I was fine being overly cautious this time because of the flying, until the diarrhea started. He doesn’t have a fever. Any advice? What do your doctors say/do for these kinds of symptoms? I’ve never dealt with ear infections before and I know nothing. We’re talking about rescheduling the trip and that would be costly and really disappointing for my 4 year old.

TL:DR how do your pediatricians treat fluid/pressure in ears? Do they differentiate between that and an actual ear infection? How conservative are they with antibiotics?

[rvasc]

My rule for Disney is that unless someone is actively throwing up or has a fever, you roll with it.

[rvasc]

Plus it is only Tuesday.

[Pistol]

My pediatrician is conservative but would give meds in this situation since we would be out of town, and potentially out of network. As for the diarrhea situation, CJs Butter is good and desatin is good too. I would try both between now and then to see which works best for your kid, keep up with the probiotic, and watch any fruits that start with p. The “p” fruits will make the poop looser. Up the fiber intake.

[Pistol]

Oh and get some cheap baby washcloths and a spray bottle. Use just plain water to wipe his butt. The disposable wipes will make it worse.

[icedcoffee]

My daughter had diarrhea after antibiotics for an ear infection once. She ended up developing a yeast infection (rash was horrible and not getting better so I called). They gave me prescription cream and it cleared up immediately even while still on the antibiotics..maybe just watch so if this happens to your kid they can at least give u the cream before you go

[lucylou]

Sept 25, 2018 19:03:57 GMT -6 rvasc said:

Plus it is only Tuesday.

Yeah true, but he’s on it for 10 days I’m from what dr.google tell me, the diarrhea probably won’t let up until he’s off the antibiotics and sometimes even past that.

I do like your motto though. It’s helping out it into perspective. I’ve just been so nervous about how they’re going to be given the heat, stimulation, etc. now adding this in has my anxiety at 100

[icedcoffee]

And I'm not suggesting you would stop without talking to them but since the antibiotics are already started it's generally not a good idea to stop early. So I don't think they will say that is an option, just throwing that out there so you don't plan on that! I hope it all ends up well, I'm sure it is very frustrating

[madamewaffles]

RE: the diarrhea—The type of probiotic really makes a difference for us too. The only one that works for us is Florastor. It’s not a miracle worker but far better than the other brands for antibiotic GI upset.

[thankfully]

All 4 of my kids have been prone to ear infections, one of them had tubes, so I’ve dealt with it many times. My pedi’s standard of care is under 2 years, they always get abx if it’s red/bulging on exam. For just fluid, no abx. But for my kids, pretty much any lingering virus would lead to ear infection because the congestion wouldn’t clear. In your scenario with travel I’d probably just do the antibiotics and lather up the desitin/frequent changes/water only wipes. If I was home I’d wait on abx until necessary.

[Pistol]

I’m trying to remember the combo of shit we used when R had his really bad rash. I think it was triple paste, lotrimin, and malox. I can’t trmemer the ratios though.

[frantastic]

I would stick with the Disney plans and with the abx.

My kids were prone to EIs and both got tubes before they turned 1 (so, 4+ EIs before 1).

We used the Desitin in the purple tube (I think it was maximum strength), probiotics, and did lots of bananas and applesauce to firm up the poops.

[lucylou]

Sept 25, 2018 19:20:17 GMT -6 madamewaffles said:

RE: the diarrhea—The type of probiotic really makes a difference for us too. The only one that works for us is Florastor. It’s not a miracle worker but far better than the other brands for antibiotic GI upset.

That’s the one I got. Hopefully it will kick in soon.

[donnamoss]

Look into sensicare and/or calmoseptine. I use both for stubborn rash that needs a barrier from wetness/poop.

Also, take your regular wipes and rinse them in warm water. Store in ziploc. This has been a lifesaver tip for us, from the nurse at my pedi office. It rinses off the preservative and my kiddo doesn’t complain at all even when her booty is super raw.

ETA: I’d keep up with antibiotics. EI at Disney or flying back from Disney sounds awful.

[emma]

Disney is great for having change tables available in washrooms and every park has a parent and baby room that is calm and quiet and has a bunch of proper change tables set up. So don’t worry about that part being a pain in the ass

[lucylou]

Sept 25, 2018 19:57:58 GMT -6 donnamoss said:

Look into sensicare and/or calmoseptine. I use both for stubborn rash that needs a barrier from wetness/poop.

Also, take your regular wipes and rinse them in warm water. Store in ziploc. This has been a lifesaver tip for us, from the nurse at my pedi office. It rinses off the preservative and my kiddo doesn’t complain at all even when her booty is super raw.

ETA: I’d keep up with antibiotics. EI at Disney or flying back from Disney sounds awful.

That’s an awesome tip. With DS1 I used wet gauze pads or wash clothes but this sounds so much easier.

[lucylou]

Sept 25, 2018 20:05:45 GMT -6 emma said:

Disney is great for having change tables available in washrooms and every park has a parent and baby room that is calm and quiet and has a bunch of proper change tables set up. So don’t worry about that part being a pain in the ass

This makes me feel so much better. I’m picturing changing tables like, at a baseball game or something, so many people milling around you. And DS is at the stage that hates having his diaper changed and you practically have to pin him to the table anyways. So yeah, this is helping me. Thank you.

[lifesaverz]

In this scenario I would stick with the Disney plan & follow through with the antibiotics too just to be safe. I just wouldn’t want to chance baby having an ear infection at Disney while far away from your doctor. And it’s good you still have several days before leaving.

[emma]

Sept 25, 2018 20:25:57 GMT -6 lucylou said:

Sept 25, 2018 20:05:45 GMT -6 emma said:

Disney is great for having change tables available in washrooms and every park has a parent and baby room that is calm and quiet and has a bunch of proper change tables set up. So don’t worry about that part being a pain in the ass

This makes me feel so much better. I’m picturing changing tables like, at a baseball game or something, so many people milling around you. And DS is at the stage that hates having his diaper changed and you practically have to pin him to the table anyways. So yeah, this is helping me. Thank you.

The regular bathrooms are like that but the parent rooms are great, they even have inner private feeding rooms with another change space in them. Oh and they sell emergency baby supplies like diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, pacis. They are usually tucked a little of the main path so ask guest services as soon as you get there

disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/guest-services/baby-care-centers/

[byjove]

Which antibiotic did the ped prescribe? I had to take erythromycin for an awful ear infection and it really messed up my gut recently. My DD is prone to EIs and she does really well on amoxicillin. She has a really sensitive tummy and no issues.

Now that you have started an antibiotic, you really need to finish it (antibiotic resistance and all that), but you can ask your ped to try something else.

[lucylou]

Sept 26, 2018 4:28:09 GMT -6 byjove said:

Which antibiotic did the ped prescribe? I had to take erythromycin for an awful ear infection and it really messed up my gut recently. My DD is prone to EIs and she does really well on amoxicillin. She has a really sensitive tummy and no issues.

Now that you have started an antibiotic, you really need to finish it (antibiotic resistance and all that), but you can ask your ped to try something else.

She gave amoxicillin. But yeah, maybe something else wouldn’t be as bad for him.
Yeah about the finishing, I was hoping since it was only 1 day maybe we could get around it, but I’m basing that on nothing.

[lucylou]

Sept 26, 2018 4:33:54 GMT -6 swanson said:

In my experience, antibiotic diarrhea doesn't usually last the entire course of the antibiotic. My kids would get it bad for the first few days and then back to normal or at least a slow down. Hopefully this will be the case with you. I would not stop antibiotics. The last thing you want in disney is a baby with terrible ear pain which would then likely require a stronger antiobiotic to treat.

This would be wonderful. That’s what had me really upset like if this is only day 1, day 10 he’s going to be so miserable

[klw]

I recommend "water wipes". Perfect for sensitive bottoms.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008KJEYLO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1537959086&sr=8-3&keywords=water+wipes&dpPl=1&dpID=51%2BZ%2BEQsiTL&ref=plSrch

[lucylou]

Sept 26, 2018 4:51:53 GMT -6 klw said:

I recommend "water wipes". Perfect for sensitive bottoms.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008KJEYLO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1537959086&sr=8-3&keywords=water+wipes&dpPl=1&dpID=51%2BZ%2BEQsiTL&ref=plSrch

I just ordered. They’ll be here today. Thank you!

[Lormor]

You can also up the dose of probiotics.
Don't forget to give the probiotics as far away from a dose of antibiotics as possible (time wise) to make them most effective.

You were proactive by getting their ears checked before, so well done for that. You've got this!

[lucylou]

Sept 26, 2018 5:53:05 GMT -6 Lormor said:

You can also up the dose of probiotics.
Don't forget to give the probiotics as far away from a dose of antibiotics as possible (time wise) to make them most effective.

You were proactive by getting their ears checked before, so well done for that. You've got this!

I had no idea about spacing them out. I’d been giving them all together. Thank you!

[sudokufan]

Sept 25, 2018 19:11:24 GMT -6 icedcoffee said:

My daughter had diarrhea after antibiotics for an ear infection once. She ended up developing a yeast infection (rash was horrible and not getting better so I called). They gave me prescription cream and it cleared up immediately even while still on the antibiotics..maybe just watch so if this happens to your kid they can at least give u the cream before you go

This - but the "prescription" cream was really just clotrimazole.  Literally the same exact thing you buy over the counter for athlete's foot.  Same concentration and everything.  So I just started buying it myself and keeping it on hand, once you've seen a yeast rash they're not too hard to recognize.

[icedcoffee]

Sept 26, 2018 6:34:49 GMT -6 sudokufan said:

Sept 25, 2018 19:11:24 GMT -6 icedcoffee said:

My daughter had diarrhea after antibiotics for an ear infection once. She ended up developing a yeast infection (rash was horrible and not getting better so I called). They gave me prescription cream and it cleared up immediately even while still on the antibiotics..maybe just watch so if this happens to your kid they can at least give u the cream before you go

This - but the "prescription" cream was really just clotrimazole.  Literally the same exact thing you buy over the counter for athlete's foot.  Same concentration and everything.  So I just started buying it myself and keeping it on hand, once you've seen a yeast rash they're not too hard to recognize.

Is that basically nystatin? I believe that's what we got (couldn't remember so I didn't say for sure lol)

[sudokufan]

icedcoffee, different drug, but they're both anti-fungal. Also good for underboob rashes

[McBenny]

I don't think this is a case of over prescribing. Sounds like they were trying to accommodate your travel plans and also flying.