Why does fungus appear in the ear?
The skin of the ear canal is protected by earwax, which is acidic and has antimicrobial properties. When there is no wax - for example, after cleaning with chopsticks, or when the ear is constantly wet, the protection weakens. Microtraumas of the skin provide entry for fungi. Long courses of ear drops with antibiotics and hormones play a special role: they suppress bacteria, making room for fungi. Therefore, otomycosis often develops precisely after treatment of bacterial external otitis. Increased risk in people with diabetes and reduced immunity.
- Removing protective wax with cotton swabs
- Constant humidity: swimming, hot climate
- Microtrauma of the skin of the ear canal
- Long-term wearing of headphones and hearing aids
- Courses of antibacterial and hormonal ear drops
- Diabetes mellitus and immunodeficiency
- Eczema and other skin diseases
Symptoms
The most characteristic symptom is a pronounced, sometimes painful itching in the depths of the ear, which forces a person to constantly reach there with a finger or object, further injuring the skin. There is a feeling of congestion and overcrowding, hearing loss, noise disturbance. Discharge from otomycosis differs from ordinary pus: it can be curdled, flaky, gray, yellowish, or with characteristic black dots resembling wet paper. The pain is usually moderate, but with severe swelling and the addition of bacteria it can become severe.
- Persistent itching in the ear
- Congestion and hearing loss
- Noise in the ear
- Discharge is curdled, flaky, with black dots
- Feeling wet and full
- Moderate pain that increases with pressure
Diagnostics
An experienced ENT doctor often recognizes a fungal infection even when examined with a microscope by the characteristic appearance of plaque. To confirm and select treatment, the discharge is taken for microscopy and culture to determine the type of fungus. The integrity of the eardrum must be assessed: in case of perforation, the choice of drugs is limited, since many drugs cannot be injected into the middle ear. If the course is persistent and repeated, the doctor looks for underlying problems - diabetes, skin diseases, immune disorders, and also clarifies which drops were used before.
- Examination of the ear with a microscope or otoscope
- Microscopy of discharge
- Sowing with determination of the type of fungus and sensitivity
- Checking the integrity of the eardrum
- Hearing test for hearing loss
- Blood sugar test for relapses
Treatment
The key stage, without which treatment does not work, is thorough cleaning of the ear canal from fungal masses, which is performed by a doctor under visual control, sometimes over several visits. After this, local antifungal drugs are prescribed in the form of drops, solutions or ointments on the turundas; The course is usually long, it cannot be stopped at the first improvement, otherwise a relapse will quickly occur. Antibacterial and hormonal drops for otomycosis are not indicated and aggravate the process. Systemic antifungal drugs are used rarely, for widespread lesions or reduced immunity, strictly as prescribed by a doctor. It is important to keep your ear dry throughout treatment.
- Professional ear cleaning by an ENT doctor
- Full course of local antifungal drugs
- Refusal of antibacterial and hormonal drops
- Dry mode: do not wet the ear, do not swim
- Repeat inspections to monitor cleaning
- Systemic medications only as prescribed by a doctor
- Controlling blood sugar in diabetes
Relapse Prevention
Otomycosis tends to return if the conditions that caused it persist. The main rule is to stop cleaning your ears with chopsticks: wax is a protection, not dirt, and is normally removed on its own. After bathing and showering, the ear should be dried by tilting the head, without introducing objects inside. Swimmers benefit from personal earplugs. In-ear headphones and hearing aids should be cleaned regularly and should not be worn continuously, allowing the ear to air out. If you have diabetes, controlling your sugar levels is important because it directly affects your risk of relapse.
- Refusal of cotton swabs and cleaning objects
- Drying the ear after water by tilting the head
- Earplugs when swimming
- Regular cleaning of headphones and hearing aids
- Taking breaks from wearing headphones
- Do not use ear drops unless prescribed
- Controlling blood sugar and treating skin diseases
