Otomycosis is a fungal lesion of the auditory canal, which can affect the areas of the outer and middle ear. Otomycosis can be caused by various fungi, mainly Candida and Aspergillus species. Other fungi practically do not cause this disease.
What is the danger of otomycosis?
The causative agent is a saprophytic fungus, because it is located on various parts of the body and does not exhibit virulent properties. In the initial stages, it is often confused with a bacterial infection, and doctors prescribe antibiotics for dripping into the ears. And when the disease manifests itself in full force, the otolaryngologist begins to suspect a fungus.
Reasons
According to generalized studies conducted in otolaryngology, up to 18% of adults and up to 30% of children suffer from otomycosis. In middle-aged men and women, otomycosis occurs somewhat more often than in the rest of the age population.
infections in public reservoirs or pools that get into the ears;
increased sweating;
frequent itching and scabies of the auricle and ear canal;
skin problems, dermatitis;
improper hygiene;
long-term use of local antibacterial drugs.
Types
According to the localization of inflammation , several types of disease are distinguished:
external. Signs: there is a slight swelling of the auditory orifice and there is a blockage of the glands. The patient often complains of a feeling of stuffiness in the ear, but the desire to clean the auditory orifice on their own ends with further progression of the infection;
mycotic otitis media occurs during a combination of fungal infection and inflammation of the eardrum. The patient feels severe pain in the ear, there may be abundant discharge from the auricle, hearing loss, increased sense of noise and a feeling of stuffiness in the ear, as well as frequent complaints of headache;
fungal myringitis appears during the transition of a fungal infection to the eardrum, hearing may be reduced;
otomycosis of the postoperative cavity is characterized by increased pain and the amount of discharge from the ear.
Symptoms
According to the course of the inflammatory process , the following stages are distinguished:
the appearance of the first signs: itching, burning, congestion;
acute stage: swelling, pain, thick discharge;
chronic stage: change of periods of improvement and recurrent exacerbations, accompanied by pain.
severe pain;
burning, stuffiness and narrowing of the auditory orifice;
hearing impairment, thick discharge from the ear canal of various colors (yellow, white or black);
the appearance of a feeling of a foreign body.
Diagnosis and treatment
The ENT doctor conducts a visual examination and may prescribe several analyzes of the contents of the auricle for bacteriological seeding.
Treatment
The treatment consists in the initial cleaning and treatment of the auditory canal. It is necessary to remove as much fungal mass as possible before starting medical procedures. With pronounced pain sensations, the doctor can prescribe analgesics.
It is better to consult a specialist, rather than trying to clean the ear yourself, because there are many cases when the patient accidentally touches the eardrum and the infection spreads to the middle ear. After the washing and cleaning procedure, the doctor prescribes antifungal drops.
