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Colloidal Silver for Treating Ear Infections

Colloidal silver is tiny particles of silver suspended or mixed into a liquid. Although not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any type of medical use, many homeopaths consider colloidal silver a valuable treatment for ear infections. There is a lot of controversy over the risks, effectiveness and use of it. Learning more about the nature of colloidal silver and ear infections can help you make an informed decision.

  1. Background Information

    • Silver is a metal. Some advertised applications for silver include weight loss supplement and a component to fight infection. Scientific study has shown no benefit for colloidal silver, your body does not naturally produce silver. The FDA has issued warnings to the public about fraud relating to the advertisement of colloidal silver and its effectiveness.

    Side Effects

    • The most common side effect of repeated exposure to colloidal silver is a condition called argyria. Argyria is a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin, nails and gum. Argyria is not a serious health problem but the discoloration is irreversible. Other possible side effects include seizures, kidney damage, headache, fatigue and stomach problems. It's unclear how much silver is harmful but it's possible that it can build up in your organs and tissues.

    Treatment for Ear Infections

    • When your ear hurts, is itchy, or has a discharge, odds are you have an infection. Some proponents of homeopathic medicine recommend treatment with colloidal silver drops as it is considered a natural source to fight infection. The dosage is one or two drops in the infected ear twice daily. Lie down on you side, with the problem ear up when you administer the medicine. It can be further supplemented with an oral dose of up to 3 teaspoons, three times daily, until infection is gone.

    Warnings

    • It's important to understand that any infection in your body might be serious. Untreated ear infections can lead to hearing loss, infection of the bone behind your ear (mastoid) and possibly brain abscess. A brain abscess is a life threatening condition and can be deadly. If you choose to use colloidal silver as a treatment for your ear infection, it should be by doctor recommendation only.

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