FUNGAL INFECTION OF THE EAR ( OTOMYCOSIS)

Otomycosis or fungal infection can cause severe discomfort like itching, discharge and pain and can be chronic in some patients. Common in hot and humid climate,  or can be due to  prolonged  use or misuse of topical antibiotics ( ear drops), over use of buds, wick or any thing for cleaning the ear or for scratching , moisture in the ear, frequent swimming in dirty or stagnant water. Diabetes, and immunocompromised patients  and those who have  various allergies, eczema  or any injury to the canal are  also affected and various problems arise in them, if not treated properly. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS ( complaints) 

Severe itching of the ear, greyish, green, yellow or black debris and discharge in the ear canal, pain and swelling or edema of the canal. 

Sometimes it will be a manifestation of fungal infection elsewhere in the body. Fungal elements can be seen inside the ear canal. 

TREATMENT

REMOVE the fungal ball or debris, clean the ear for  any discharge, use topical antifungals and symptomatic measures for edema( swelling) and pain. 

WHEN IT TURNS  INTO A SERIOUS CONDITION? 

Patients who have UNCONTROLLED DIABETES, IMMUNOCOMPROMISED STATES, it can  involve other soft tissues like cartilage and bone causing( destruction) necrosis and osteomyelitis( malignant otitis externa, will explain it later) 

WHY IT IS RECURRENT ( come often ) OR  NOT GOING? 

Inadequate or incomplete treatment ( sometimes  follow up is not there when patient feels symptomatically better), Moisture Retention, over use of various materials for scratching or cleaning  the ear, swimming or water sports where water is contaminated or stagnant. Also in low or impaired immunity, allergic conditions like allergic rhinitis, asthma( itching  of ears, eyes, nose will prompt the patient to use something to scratch the ear) 

ADEQUATE PENETRATION OF ANTIFUNGAL  INTO THE EAR CANAL SKIN is needed for complete cure and to prevent chronicity, for that CLEANING  the ear  ( not self cleaning) and removing all the discharge and debris is a must. 

PREVENTION

AVOID water entry into the ear( especially for immunocompromised or those with low immunity) during showering, swimming, surfing

AVOID  frequent self cleaning of the ear

AVOID Scratching the ear with wick  or other materials

AVOID Instilling EAR DROPS for each and every case of ear block and ear pain, with out knowing what is inside your ear causing those symptoms. 

PLEASE TAKE  PROPER  TREATMENT 

AND   COMPLETE THE COURSE, DON'T MISS FOLLOW UP, OR ELSE WILL END UP WITH RECURRENT OR CHRONIC INFECTION. 

PLEASE TAKE  CARE OF YOUR  EARS 👂