The ear, like other ENT organs, can be affected by otomycosis , an infectious disease caused by various types of fungi. This is a rather dangerous and frequent disease that does not respond very well to treatment. But with the correct identification of the pathogen, the treatment gives an excellent result.
How to identify a fungal infection of the ear
A certain amount of fungi is always present on human skin. With a weakening of immunity, the disease begins to progress, fungi begin to multiply at an unprecedented rate. They primarily affect the eardrum and the auditory canal. Rarely observed otomycosis directly in both ears, usually affects only one.
Symptoms of the lesion depend on the stage of the disease itself.
- In the first stage, symptoms are mild or do not appear at all. Usually, patients experience itching and a slight congestion in the ear, mistaking this for discomfort caused by the accumulation of sulfur. Then the itching becomes permanent, pain and burning appear.
- A characteristic symptom of the acute stage is the presence of discharge from the ear canal. Highlights can be white, green, yellow. They clog the ear canal, which is why the patient has ear congestion and hearing loss. Puffiness appears.
- The chronic stage is characterized by the presence of sulfur plugs with a hard crust. In the chronic course of the disease, the fungus can penetrate deeply into the human body, affecting the temporal bone, which can provoke osteitis of the base of the skull.
Diagnosis and treatment of ear fungus
To detect the disease, an external examination is carried out, the discharge from the ears is examined. Ear culture is the main method for detecting fungal spores.
For effective treatment of otomycosis, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of the disease. This could be:
- Taking medicines
- The use of hormonal drugs.
- Decreased immunity against the background of other diseases.
Otomycosis is difficult to treat, as the fungus has the ability to “get used” to the drug. During treatment, it is necessary to carefully monitor the hygiene of the auditory canal, clean the outer ear with 3% boric acid or hydrogen peroxide. It is very important to do this in order to clear the ear of mycotic masses, otherwise the treatment will be ineffective.
In accordance with the type of pathogen, funds are selected. Found fungus in the ears is treated with the following types of drugs:
- Drops . Usually doctors prescribe “Dexamethasone” and ” Clotrimazole “
- Ointments and creams . This agent lubricates the outer area of the auditory canal after washing with peroxide or boric acid. Ointment ” Clotrimazole ” and ” Econazole ” are often prescribed .
- Pills . Most often these are broad-spectrum antifungal drugs.
The course of treatment must be comprehensive. The therapy lasts about two weeks, after which antifungal drugs should be taken for some time.
You should not treat a fungal infection of the ear on your own. Since without identifying the type of pathogen, treatment can only suppress the multiplication of the infection, but not eliminate it completely.