Ear drops to relieve your baby's ear pain

Dear Dr. Donya,

I read your article in The Jakarta Post, and am very interested in the kind of ear drops I need to give my baby if she develops pain in her ears.

-- Rini

Dear Rini,

An ear drop for pain relief is one that normally contains an anesthetic or an anti-inflammatory, such as an analgesic otic solution or an earache drop comprising antipyrine or benzocaine.

An antipyrine and benzocaine combination is used in the ear to help relieve pain, swelling or congestion of some ear infections, but it will not cure the infection. An antibiotic is needed to treat the infection.

How old is your baby? Read the instructions on the packaging before using any form of treatment, since some medication is not suitable for babies younger than six months. Other than that, a nose drop comprising a decongestant can also be used to provide pain relief, and it may be easier to find.

-- Dr. Donya

Dear Dr. Donya,

I always read your article as I have a 10-year-old boy. When I read your article on fasting, I noticed that you apologized to readers for the use of any inappropriate words as you are not a Muslim. I am a Muslim, and I deeply appreciated the article you wrote.

I assume that today's widespread bigotry and oversensitivity has made you very careful when writing about issues related to Islamic teachings. I hope, someday, Dr. Donya, we in Indonesia particularly, do not need to apologize if we have an interpretation or opinion about something.

- Attya

Dear Attya,

Thank you for your letter, and it is very nice to have your positive energy.

-- Dr. Donya