Bug in my Ear
Three weeks ago Mikey was up most of the night with an ear infection. By the time morning came, the painful “growth” stage of the ear infection was over and he was almost pain free.
Mikey: “Mama! My ear feels much better! I don’t need to go to the doctor anymore.”
Me: “I’m so happy you’re feeling better, Mikey! But you know what? We still have to go to the doctor so he can look in your ears.”
Mikey: “OK. Why was my ear hurting?”
Me: “Oh I don’t know. There’s probably just a little bug in it.” I said it without thinking and winced at my own stupidity. For me, a bug is bacteria. For Mikey, a bug is…a bug. During our conversation he had been jumping on the bed while I struggled to keep him still long enough to slip on a shirt. After the bug comment he stood frozen in one spot with eyes the size of basketballs.
Mikey: “Well then, Mama. You know what?” His voice was a barely audible whisper. “I think we need to be quiet because the bug is sleeping.”
Me: “Mikey, how’s your ear feel?
Mikey: “Better. The bug is gone right now. He flew out of my ear and he is trying to find his place where he can sleep.”
I think the bug should leave and never come back, but I’m just inhospitable that way.
Sometimes Mikey hears a buzzing noise, and other times not. When it buzzes, it feels better when I take a Q-tip and rub just around the ear canal. I barely go inside, so I’m confused how this makes his ear feel better. I wonder if the buzzing is somehow related to his allergies? I guess we’ll find out later today!
MJ – I bet it is because it is itchy and when I have allergies that is almost what it feels like. That is such a great description!! I love what comes out of kids minds/mouths!
Endearing! My kids also get the bug once in a while, no matter how I try to keep their ear canals cleaned and wax-free. And whenever an ear infection strikes I turn to herbal remedies for support. I’ve known that extracts of the herbs Tree Oil and Mullein Flower are soothing to the ear and promotes healing. Getting an herbal formula constituted of these extracts (among others) surely helped relieve the itchy feel my kids often complain about while promoting the speedy healing of the infection as well.
Steve,
What a coincidence! I just put in some homeopathic drops in my own ear just now. These allergies are killing us! I like to use homeopathic remedies for allergies, as well.