How to treat a fungus in the ears?

Otomycosis, a fungus in the ear, is a dangerous category of athlete's foot. A fungal infection in humans in this case can spread to all ENT organs - mouth, pharynx, larynx, ear.

In the ears, the fungus develops of different types: yeast-like, moldy, especially pathogenic. Depending on the causative agent of the disease, the optimal remedy for the fungus in the ears is selected.

There can be many factors that cause a fungal disease in the ear. The main reasons are:

  • decreased immunity against the background of previous diseases, vitamin deficiency or being in a stressful situation;
  • trauma in the ear canal can aggravate the course of external mycosis, then the fungal infection will spread through the ear canal to the middle ear;
  • various ear diseases, mostly purulent;
  • long-term use of antibiotics and potent hormonal drugs;
  • bathing in public pools, natural reservoirs with water entering the outer ear;
  • rough cleaning of the ear canals with cosmetic sticks;
  • use of other people's earplugs, hearing aids, headphones;
  • excessive cleanliness, since earwax prevents the reproduction of the fungus, its careful removal leads to the spread of infection.

How to recognize a fungus in the ear?

To recognize the ear fungus in humans, it is enough to see the main signs of the disease. Even on your own, you can diagnose ear mycosis with almost 100% probability.

However, this does not eliminate the need to consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis, identify the type of pathogen and prescribe competent treatment.

The main symptoms of fungus in the ear:

  • discharge from the ear canal that is unnatural in color - black, yellow, white or green. The color of the discharge will depend on the type of pathogen;
  • frequent plugs in the ears, the presence of sulfur crusts;
  • sensation of noise, congestion in the ear canal;
  • pain in the affected ear, radiating to the part of the head from the side of the ear;
  • decreased sensitivity, hearing in the affected ear;
  • sensation of itching in the ear.

You should consult a doctor as soon as possible after the first symptoms of the disease are detected, because if the fungus is not cured at the beginning, it spreads very quickly. The reason is in a favorable environment for pathogenic microorganisms - humidity and heat. Left unattended, the fungus causes the development of complex diseases of the ENT organs and other body systems.

Ear fungus diagnosis

The doctor in the diagnosis focuses on the patient's complaints, the color and amount of discharge from the auricle, then proceeds to the study. To begin with, with the help of mirrors, an examination is carried out, during which signs of a fungus are found. A substance is taken from the ear with a special tool for sowing to determine the type of fungus and its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

If deep structures are affected by the fungus, hardware endoscopy is performed, during which hidden areas of the ear are examined without the risk of damaging blood vessels, the auditory nerve. When the disease is advanced, the doctor prescribes an audiogram to assess how much the infection has affected the patient's hearing.

How to treat a fungus in the ears?

To determine how to treat a fungus in the ears, you need to understand the cause of its occurrence. For example, if mycosis has arisen against the background of long-term use of hormonal drugs or antibiotics, you need to discuss with your doctor the cessation of their use and choose another remedy for the treatment of the underlying disease. With reduced immunity, it is advisable to restore the body's defenses, otherwise the treatment of the fungus will not be effective - after a while it will return. In parallel with fungal remedies, vitamins and antihistamines are prescribed to prevent possible allergic reactions.

An important condition for the treatment to be successful is compliance with the ear hygiene procedures recommended by the doctor.

To clean the ear cavity, ordinary water or solutions of tannin, resocine, glycerin are used. The drug is selected depending on the type of fungus that is detected during the diagnosis:

  • for the treatment of mold, drugs are prescribed: Nitrofungin, Itraconazole, Naftifin, Terbinafine;
  • suitable agents for the treatment of yeast fungus: Clotrimazole, Econazole, Pimafucin, Fluconazole.

These drugs act locally on the lesion. To do this, the solution is applied to a flagellum or cotton pad, put it in the ear affected by the fungus for 10 minutes. The procedure is repeated 4 times a day, the entire course of treatment lasts up to 4 weeks.

Sometimes local preparations are not enough to eliminate the fungus in the ear. Then it is advisable to supplement the treatment with antifungal tablets. They are prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the existing contraindications and the sensitivity of the infectious agent to a particular drug.

Taking pills for a fungal infection, in parallel, it makes sense to take funds that restore the normal microflora in the intestines. These can be Narine, Bifikol, Hilak forte, Gastopharm and similar drugs.

Treatment of ear fungus with folk remedies

To speed up the healing process and get rid of unpleasant symptoms faster, traditional medicine can be added to medications. In this case, the process will go faster. Below are proven recipes to help get rid of ear fungus.

The most popular remedy for mycosis of the ears is a decoction of celandine or drops from its juice. You can increase the effectiveness of the medicine by adding bird cherry. The finished broth is cooled to a comfortable temperature, dripped into the affected ear several times a day.

Another folk recipe suggests using onion juice as an antifungal agent. For treatment, fresh onion juice is dripped into the sore ear in the amount of 5 drops. Given that onion juice is quite pungent, they should not be treated for a long time. Otherwise, damage to the ear canal may occur.

Apple cider vinegar is a proven safe remedy for treating fungus on the legs, head, and skin. Vinegar is no less effective in the treatment of ear fungus. An important point - in no case should vinegar be used in the form of drops, only lubricate the external auditory canal with it. An acidic environment will prevent the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.

Hydrogen peroxide will help relieve itching in a sore ear in case of a fungus. It is dripped 3-4 times a day, a few drops. After the procedure, the ear should be rinsed with clean water, gently dried with a cotton swab.

A good anti-inflammatory effect gives walnut oil. You need to lie on a healthy ear, drop 1 drop of nut oil into the sick ear. Repeat the procedure up to 3 times a day, gradually increasing the dose to 4 drops.

Pharmacy chamomile is known in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. Chamomile infusion can be used to wash the ear several times a day. To prepare a medicinal infusion, add 1 tbsp to a glass of boiling water. l. dry chamomile flowers and let it brew for 20 minutes. After washing the ear, wipe it dry with a cotton swab.

An excellent effect against the fungus gives a decoction of bird cherry leaves and bay leaves. You need to mix herbs in equal proportions, put a tablespoon of the mixture in a saucepan and pour a glass of water. The pan is set to heat up, the mixture is boiled over low heat for 5 minutes. Ready decoction can be used in the form of drops and for washing to relieve itching.

A complex of procedures and medications will work more efficiently if you add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, take vitamins, follow the regime of work and rest, and play sports.

Prevention of otomycosis

Prevention is important, both in protecting against a fungal infection and after recovery, to avoid relapses. Among the main measures recommended are the following:

  • personal hygiene;
  • exclude the use of other people's things - hats, headphones, hearing aids, bed linen, towels;
  • maintaining immunity at altitude;
  • careful cleaning of the ear cavity with appropriate cosmetics.

Attention to one's own health, especially to the health of the ears, can prevent the disease, achieve remission. As soon as the symptoms of ear fungus are felt, you need to see a doctor. Lost time can provoke the spread of infection throughout the body, which will take a long time to treat. In addition to the price of drugs and the timing of therapy, a neglected fungus will lead to hearing loss.