Fungus in the ear is a common problem that affects lifestyle. Such an infection can cause not only pain and redness, but also itching and hearing impairment. It is believed that this pathology is not serious and does not pose any danger to human life. However, the problem itself is unpleasant. It’s hard to treat. It is likely that relapses may occur regularly.
Description of the disease
In 18% of adults and 30% of children have ever been diagnosed with a fungus in the ears (photo presented in the article). If a person lives in a temperate climate zone, then about 10% of diseases of external otitis media are accompanied precisely by a fungal infection. Such pathology is much more common in patients who live in tropical climates. Similar problems can appear regardless of the gender of the person. Most often, the infection is observed in the middle age category.
The risk group should include those who engage in swimming or use a hearing aid. Fungal infection spreads only in one ear, bilateral damage occurs in only 10% of all cases.
Classification and stages
This disease is classified by the position of the inflammation. There are external, secondary forms, fungal meningitis, as well as an infection that occurs after surgery. Most often, an external disease is diagnosed in patients. Of all cases, it occurs in 20-50%. Otitis media is a little less common - in 10-20%.
The clinical course of the disease has three stages. The first is characterized by the fact that a person has an stuffy ear and a slight itching appears. The acute stage is accompanied by inflammation. Pain manifests itself, discharge, swelling and redness occur. The chronic stage is characterized by less unpleasant symptoms, however it is protracted and prolonged. The patient shows periods of improvement and exacerbation, due to which the pain recurs.
Causes
The fungus in the ear affects the outer, middle and open cavity. This is due to the fact that the auditory canal has an environment that only contributes to the spread of the fungus. The disease is sporadic, that is, irregular. It is provoked by the vital activity of many types of fungi. Most often, this disease occurs due to the fact that the ear is warm and humid. There are also fungi that provoke the development of candidiasis, so you need to be as careful as possible.
The main reasons should be a visit to the pool with dirty water, a decrease in immunity, the use of medicines against bacteria, diabetes mellitus, ear injury, microflora disturbance, humidity, and also an allergic reaction.
Symptomatology
Symptoms of a fungus in the ear are varied. Pain can occur, which often gives to the head, itching, redness, black, white or yellow. Hearing impairment occurs in certain patients, the passage narrows, sulfur accumulates, a plug appears, an unpleasant odor may occur, as well as dizziness.
Initial manifestations may resemble otitis media caused by bacteria. However, a similar pathology is characterized by the appearance of crusts, as well as hyphae that grow on the surface of the skin.
When it comes to a later infection, discomfort begins to intensify. Itching is able to become dull, but over time it only becomes more frequent and does not stop. When the ear canal is blocked, burning may occur, as well as other unpleasant symptoms.
Manifestations of external inflammation
The general symptoms of this disease have been described above. However, manifestations are also distinguished that are characteristic only for a certain type of pathology.
External infection is accompanied by the fact that the patient disappears a greasy film that covers the ear canal. This is due to the fact that the patient has too wet a microclimate in the ear or a slightly injured surface. It is because of this that a person may complain that the ear is itching. There is a feeling of congestion. Often, it is at this stage that the patient begins to clean his ear, since he believes that such symptoms are due to accumulation of sulfur. In this case, the skin is injured, because it is very delicate and thin. As a result, a fungal infection gets inside.
In the acute stage of an external disease, discharge begins to appear, which over time increases in volume. Sometimes puffiness is so great that the hearing aid is almost completely blocked. That is why a disease appears in the form of hearing loss. The external form is manifested rather unpleasantly, as it is characterized by severe pain. In patients who suffer from diabetes mellitus or leukemia, the infection can sink into the middle ear.
Diagnostics
In order to diagnose ear fungus in humans, certain procedures must be performed. It is advisable to choose a professional doctor who will prescribe the correct therapy for sure. Often prescribed antibacterial drugs, but it happens that they do not help much in the presence of such an infection, so this treatment is ineffective. It is also necessary to take into account some of the nuances in the form of diabetes mellitus or a weak immune system. In this case, therapy should be strictly individual.
It is important to conduct hematological studies, as this will help not only confirm the diagnosis, but also find out the state of the immune system. If a person has diabetes, it is necessary to regulate blood sugar in the treatment of such an infection. In this way, it will be possible to avoid various complications when taking medications.
During the diagnosis, you need a sample of discharge from the ear. This is how you can check which microorganisms provoked the development of the disease.
If we are talking about the diagnosis of fungus in the ear at home, then you need to inspect the cotton swab after cleaning the ear. In the presence of gray plaque, most likely, a person has a similar disease. You should not treat it yourself, it is better to consult a doctor.
Drug treatment
In order to cleanse the ear and get rid of the infection, some types of drugs are prescribed. They are completely dependent on the type of pathogen.
- If we are talking about molds in the ear, then use drops "Nitrofungin" or their analogues.
- When the causative agent is a yeast fungus, a remedy called Pimafucin is prescribed.
- Ear preparations in the form of “Candibiotics” act as a medicine that allows you to get rid of bacteria and fungi.
- A good remedy is decamine ointment. It will help to eliminate the ear infection that has arisen. Fukortsin also helps against fungi. This remedy is considered an antiseptic.
- If we are talking about severe and advanced cases, then they use oral antifungal drugs.
Excessive moisture should be avoided, do not hesitate with treatment, and for the duration of therapy, refuse frequent cleaning of the ear canal. Otherwise, the drugs will act weakly.
Folk methods
Too many patients are advised to use alternative methods for the manifestation of various symptoms of ear fungus in people. They will be as effective as possible if combined with drug therapy. Before using folk remedies, you must definitely consult your doctor.
- A great option would be hydrogen peroxide. Thanks to it, you can soften all hard formations in the ear canal. Accordingly, they will be easier to remove. It is necessary to drip a few drops into a sore ear. Next should be left for 10 minutes. After this, rinse the ear canal with warm water. If moisture remains, it is better to use a dry cotton swab. After applying hydrogen peroxide, walnut oil can be added. Thanks to this, itching and irritation will pass. A similar method helps no worse than specialized drops from a fungus in the ears.
- You can use table vinegar with an alcohol solution. It is necessary to mix both ingredients in equal amounts and drip into the ear. Vinegar will prevent the formation of fungus and, accordingly, eliminates the pathogen. Alcohol disinfect the ear.
- Dry onion or garlic should be used. They need to grind and squeeze the juice out of them. It is necessary to bury at night. Although doctors do not recommend using this method.
In order not to aggravate the symptoms of a fungus in the ears, the photo of which is given in the article, you need to worry that moisture does not get into the passage and there is no overheating.
Preventative measures
In order not to think about how to treat the fungus in the ear, it is necessary to observe preventive measures. You need to carefully clean your ears using only high-quality devices. Do not eat foods that cause allergies. It is advisable to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right. It is necessary to treat all arising diseases in time so that they do not cause complications. You should temper your immunity. Accordingly, you need to walk in the fresh air, play sports, eat more vegetables and fruits. Whenever possible, you should limit yourself to eating sugary foods. Be sure to observe personal hygiene. If a person has the first symptoms of otitis media, then it is necessary to consult a specialist. It is this solution that will allow you to eliminate the problem in time.
Forecast
Given the difficulties in the treatment of such a disease, as a rule, the prognosis is favorable. If you start treatment on time and manage to establish the cause of the infection, you can choose a drug that will allow you to recover in the shortest possible time.
If we are talking about problems with the middle ear, as well as the development of complications of otitis media, then, most likely, hearing loss is likely. In this case, the treatment of a fungus in the ears, the photo of which is not pleasant, will be aimed at eliminating the symptoms, the primary cause and preventing complications.
If you start treatment or completely ignore it, then this infection can cause sepsis and the spread of spores in the internal organs. When a person has any kind of postoperative cavity, the prognosis is poor. About 15% of patients who have a postoperative form of infection suffer from constant relapses.
conclusions
Summing up, it is necessary to say that such a disease is, although not very serious, but rather unpleasant. The infection itself does not carry any danger, except that because of puffiness, the level of hearing can decrease. But if untreated, the complications are quite detrimental, so you should not ignore the disease.