Ear fungus is a fairly common disease, since microscopic organisms constantly live on human skin, the reproduction of which under normal conditions is impeded by immunity. However, under some circumstances, the protective functions of the body fail, and pathogenic microflora leads to diseases such as otomycosis. Most often, these lesions are difficult to treat. This is due to the low efficacy of topical drugs and the rapid addiction to them.
To avoid such complex consequences as the penetration of infection into the brain and blood poisoning, you need to see a doctor in time.
Why you need to go to the hospital right away
Mycosis of the ear, the symptoms of which patients cannot recognize on their own, develops quite rapidly. The "insidiousness" of this disease lies in the fact that initially it resembles otitis media, and self-medication, which is most often undertaken by patients, only exacerbates the situation. Measures such as the uncontrolled use of antibacterial agents and warming the sore ear create ideal conditions for the reproduction of fungi, which gives a number of complications:
- otomycosis spreads from the outer ear to the middle;
- the eardrum is affected, microcracks form on it;
- the infection enters the bloodstream or the brain.
To avoid all this, you need to contact the clinic if you experience the slightest discomfort in your ears. During the examination and laboratory tests, the doctor will be able to identify which type of fungus has affected the skin and mucous membranes, and will prescribe adequate treatment.
Harbingers of the disease
Suspecting that you have otomycosis, the symptoms cannot be ignored, since every day counts and the recovery time depends on how quickly the treatment begins. Consider what changes in the body you need to pay attention to, and at what stages of the disease they appear.
| Stage of the disease | Symptoms | Prohibited actions |
| initial stage | When the infection is just beginning to develop, the patient feels itching in the ears (it can be intermittent), as well as congestion, edema appears and the fatty film from the ear canal disappears. | When such sensations appear, it is quite a natural desire of the patient to clear the ear canal. Doing this is strictly prohibited, since the application of microtraumas with a cotton swab or foreign objects contributes to the spread of fungal infection. |
| Acute stage | Discharge from the ear with a specific color and odor appears, swelling increases, hearing deteriorates, allergic red spots and blisters appear on the skin, in some patients there is an increase in the sensitivity of the ear region. | You can not independently remove discharge from the ear with the help of improvised means, use any drugs or traditional medicine. |
| Otomycosis of the middle ear | When the infection moves from the outer to the middle, an increase in the volume of secretions is noted, the ear canal is filled with mycelium and fungal waste products, so the patient may partially or completely lose hearing. The pain becomes more pronounced, there is hyperthermia and perforation of the tympanic membrane. | Any actions with medicines, improvised means, warming compresses, etc. are prohibited. |
| Otomycosis of the postoperative cavity | An increase in the volume of discharge is observed, an increased sensitivity of the behind-the-ear region appears. | Any independent manipulation is prohibited. |
Other manifestations of infection
When a disease such as otomycosis of the ear occurs, the symptoms can be very different, especially at the onset of the disease and the spread of the infection. It is for this reason that it is worth paying attention to any changes in the body, for example:
headaches of a periodic nature;- pain when swallowing;
- noise in ears;
- the appearance of sulfur plugs;
- sensation of a foreign body in the ear;
- change in the consistency and color of discharge from the ear canal.
headaches of a periodic nature;Important! If you suspect otomycosis, the symptoms of which are not pronounced, you can not take any measures yourself. See your doctor immediately, only he will be able to determine which fungus has infected the body, and how to properly treat it.
Let's sum up
Such common diseases in our time as fungal otitis media cause quite different symptoms. The causative agents can be fungi of various types, in 75% of cases the disease is provoked by mold microorganisms, in 24% - yeast-like, and in 1% the infection can have a mixed form. Pathogenic microflora from each category differs in the specificity of its reproduction and methods of treatment, therefore an otolaryngologist selects adequate and effective therapy after a thorough examination and a series of studies.
If you suspect a fungus in the ear, the symptoms should never be ignored. The patient should immediately seek help from specialists.
Timely provision of medical care will help you prevent such unpleasant complications as the transition of the disease into a chronic form and its recurrence. Listen to your body, strengthen your immune system and get tested on time.
