L.M. asks from Grafton, WI on May 27, 2009
(1) Tubes in Ears and (2) Keratosis
(1) My youngest just had tubes put in his ears 2 weeks ago today. His ears are still draining - usually orange and sometimes green. My older son never had ear infections, so this is all new to me. I'm just curious as to how long his ears will drain like this (or how long it is OK for them to drain like this). Should I be taking him to the doctor for drops, or is this a good thing that they are draining? He's sleeping well, so I know he's not in any pain. I apologize if this is a dumb question - I haven't had the time to research it yet.
(2) My older son (3 1/2) has had keratosis his entire life on his cheeks, arms and thighs. It's never eased up and we've tried many things over the counter. I had him set to see a dermatologist this week, but I have to cancel the appointment and it will take another 2 months to get him in. I'm wondering if any of you have any secret over-the-counter potions, and what you use for sunscreen as a lot of sunscreens seem to make it worse.
PS - We have already tried using (and quite diligently for months at a time) Aquaphor, 1% hydrocortisone, the two mixed together, Eucerine Intensive Care Plus, Arbonne products, and Exzema over the counter lotions with no luck, so please don't leave those recommendations. As far as sunsreen, the pink baby sunscreen (can't remember the name) causes the keratosis to get worse too.
Thanks for any input you may have :)
So What Happened?™
(1) Regarding the tubes, I actually got a call back from a nurse and took him back to Children's before I got any responses yesterday. They sucked the fluid out of his ears and prescribed drops for 10 days. Thanks for all of your input though...I appreciate it.
(2) My older son has Keratosis Pilaris (sp?). It is just as bad in the summer as it is in the winter unfortunately. Thanks so much for all of your tips on lotions and sunscreens - I can't wait to check them out!
Featured Answers
K.S. answers from Minneapolis on May 28, 2009
Hi L.,
Glad you brought him in for drops. Both of my kids had tubes put in and they were both sent home with drops automatically.
I noticed the mention of dairy in another post. By oldest has Down syndrome also and had a lot of sinus infections as well. We switched him to Rice Milk (which is also gluten free) to help reduce mucous.
Good luck. The tubes made a huge difference in both of my kids. So nice to not have constant ear infections (not to mention letting them hear clearly at such a critical time of language development.
K.
More Answers
A.M. answers from La Crosse on May 28, 2009
I highly recommend Vanicream Sunscreen for ANY skin conditions.
http://www.amazon.com/Vanicream-Sunscreen-Sensitive-Skin-...
It's also available at most drugstores. There's a lotion, too, that for me has been amazing (but I don't have keratosis, just for the record).
Good luck!
J.W. answers from Sheboygan on May 28, 2009
Have you tried chiropractic?
I work PT at my chiro's office and they can do wonders for ear infections and basically any problem...asthma, allergies etc. Chiropractic isn't just for adults with back and neck pain. When there is a shift in the spine (called a subluxation), it causes pressure on the nerves connected to the spinal cord. This pressure interferes with the brains ability to communicate with the body and tell it to heal.
Our bodies have an innate intelligence to heal from the insdie out (if you cut your finger you don't bleed forever, right? Your body knows how to heal itself)
So...get both your little ones checked by a reputable chiropractor that works with children. I live in WI and would be happy to talk to you more if you'd like!
Both my boys have asthma and neither has used their inhaler, been on ANY meds, or used the nebulizer since starting chiropractic care over a year ago! It's a NATURAL way to keep our little ones healthy without putting a bunch of drugs in their little bodies:)
Have a great day!
P.W. answers from Minneapolis on May 28, 2009
My son had tubes placed in his ears approx. three months ago. He does have occassional drainage (brown/rust). We use ear wax removal drops to help "clean it up."
As to the Keratosis, try this link: www.helpforkp.com/keratosis_pilaris_treatment_index.html.
Good luck!
M.T. answers from Minneapolis on May 27, 2009
(2) Keratosis - What type of Keratosis is it? If it's Keratosis Pilaris, I've had it forever, too, and finally found something that works from dermadoctor.com called "KP Duty." But I don't know that it would work for another type of Keratosis...they might have something else, though? Good luck!
K.S. answers from Minneapolis on May 28, 2009
Hi L.,
Glad you brought him in for drops. Both of my kids had tubes put in and they were both sent home with drops automatically.
I noticed the mention of dairy in another post. By oldest has Down syndrome also and had a lot of sinus infections as well. We switched him to Rice Milk (which is also gluten free) to help reduce mucous.
Good luck. The tubes made a huge difference in both of my kids. So nice to not have constant ear infections (not to mention letting them hear clearly at such a critical time of language development.
K.
C.M. answers from Sioux Falls on May 28, 2009
Hi L.,
Have you tried a product called Renew? Works great for us and our grandchildren.
Also is a non-toxic product that has even beat Eucerin!
Hit me back with an email
C. Miller
S.I. answers from Minneapolis on May 28, 2009
I would definitely call your ENT about the draining from your son's ear tubes, it sounds like they're infected. My daughter just had tubes put in a couple of months ago. They told us that normal post surgery draining should only last 3-5 days. When her ears were still draining after that they prescribed antibiotic ear drops and it cleared up in just a day or two (although we had to continue the drops for 10 days). You probably won't even have to take him in for an appointment, they prescribed the drops for us over the phone. Good luck.
S.
H.B. answers from Milwaukee on May 28, 2009
I think that the "Baby" sunscreen you are referring to is "Water Babies by Coppertone". My youngest had reactions to that as well, and for some reason she was ablet to use Ocean Potion's (Pink Bottle also) Baby sunscreen. Not sure if it will work for you, but it may be worth a try? Good luck!!
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