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How to cure a fungal ear infection?

February 3, 2024 by admin Category: How To

You are viewing the article How to cure a fungal ear infection?  at Tnhelearning.edu.vn you can quickly access the necessary information in the table of contents of the article below.

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This article was co-written by Payam Daneshrad, MD. Payam Daneshrad is an otolaryngologist, facial plastic surgeon, owner, and director of DaneshradClinic in Los Angeles, California. With over 19 years of experience, Dr. Daneshrad specializes in ENT surgery for adults and children, non-wicking rhinoplasty, minimally invasive sinus surgery and treatment of snoring. He also uses the latest ENT surgical techniques to remove tonsils, nasopharynx, thyroid and parathyroid glands. Daneshrad graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was accepted into AOA, an organization that honors health professionals, and Tulane University School of Public Health. Daneshrad majored in medicine at the University of Southern California, where he currently holds the position of Clinical Associate Professor. Daneshrad is an otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon for the Los Angeles Sparks and for the Loypa Marymount University sports teams.

There are 16 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 29,154 times.

Also known as otomycosis or “swimming ear,” fungal ear infections primarily affect the ear canal. Otitis externa accounts for up to 7% of diagnosed cases of otitis externa , which is an inflammation and infection of the ear canal. The most common cause of this disease is an infection with Candida and Aspergillus fungi. Fungal ear infections are often confused with bacterial ear infections. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics, but antibiotics don’t cure the fungus, so the disease doesn’t improve. Your doctor can then instruct you on some home remedies and prescribe some antifungal medication. [1] X Research Source Khurshid A, Muhammad SG. Otomycosis: clinical features, predisposing factors, and treatment implications. Pak J Med Sci. 2014 May-Jun; 30 (3): 564-567.

Table of Contents

  • Steps
    • Know the symptoms of a fungal ear infection
    • Using drugs
    • Use home remedies

Steps

Know the symptoms of a fungal ear infection

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 1

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 1

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Recognize unusual itching ( pruritis ). Itchy ears are also quite common. Hundreds of tiny hairs on the ear and inside the ear can be easily irritated. However, if the itching is constant and doesn’t help with scratching or rubbing, you probably have a fungal ear infection. This is the main symptom of ear fungus. [2] X Trusted Source American Academy of Family Physicians Go to Source
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 2

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 2

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Identify the phenomenon of ear pain ( otalgia ). You will most likely feel pain in one ear – not both ears, as the fungus is often infected locally. Sometimes the patient describes a feeling of “toughness” or “fullness”. The pain can be mild or intense, and often increases in intensity to the touch. [3] X Research Source Khurshid A, Muhammad SG. Otomycosis: clinical features, predisposing factors, and treatment implications. Pak J Med Sci. 2014 May-Jun; 30 (3): 564-567.
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 3

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 3

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Check the discharge of the ear ( otorrhea ). The discharge from an infected ear caused by a fungus is usually thick, can be clear or white, yellow, and sometimes bloody/foul-smelling. Not to be confused with earwax. Take a cotton swab and wipe the inside of the ear (be careful not to poke the tip of the cotton swab into the ear canal). Earwax usually builds up inside, but if the amount and color seem unusual, you probably have a fungal infection in your ear. [4] X Research Source Khurshid A, Muhammad SG. Otomycosis: clinical features, predisposing factors, and treatment implications. Pak J Med Sci. 2014 May-Jun; 30 (3): 564-567.
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 4

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Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 4

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Check for hearing loss. Fungal ear infections can manifest as muffled sounds or voices, difficulty understanding what others say, and difficulty hearing consonants. Hearing loss is sometimes recognized by a change in behavior. Persistent frustration is the result of decreased hearing, causing the person to withdraw from conversations and socializing. [5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source

Using drugs

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 5

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 5

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Know when to see a doctor. When you have an ear infection, it’s best to visit your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment. If you have severe pain, hearing loss or any other unusual symptoms, you should seek professional help. [6] X Research Sources

  • Your doctor can help you clean the ear canal with a suction device and prescribe ear medication.
  • Your doctor may also recommend that you buy an over-the-counter pain reliever or prescribe a pain reliever if you have severe pain. [7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 6

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 6

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Use clotrimazpe to treat fungal infections in the ear. Clotrimazpe 1% solution is the most common antifungal medication doctors prescribe for fungal ear infections. This medication kills both Candida and Aspergillus fungi. Clotrimazpe works by inhibiting enzymes that convert ergosterp. Ergosterp is essential for the maintenance of intact fungal cell membranes. Fungal growth will be inhibited by ergosterp deficiency. [8] X Research Sources

  • Note the side effects of clotrimazpe. These side effects include irritation, burning, or discomfort. [9] X Sources of Study However, topical clomatrizpe is not as likely to cause side effects as the oral form.
  • To use clotrimazpe, you need to wash your hands under running water with mild soap. Rinse the ear with warm water until all visible fluid is removed from the ear. Gently pat the ear dry with a clean towel. Do not wipe too vigorously as doing so may worsen the condition. [10] X Research Source
  • Lie down or tilt your head to the side to expose the ear canal. Straighten the ear canal by pulling the earlobe down, then back. Put two or three drops of clotrimazpe in the ear. Tilt the ear for 2-3 minutes to allow the solution to flow into the affected area. Then tilt your head to let the medicine drip onto the towel. [11] X Research Source
  • Cover the vial and keep it out of the reach of children. Store in a cool and dry place. Avoid direct sunlight and high temperature. [12] X Research Source
  • If clotrimazpe doesn’t work, your doctor may prescribe another antifungal medication, such as miconazpe. [13] X Research Source
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 7

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 7

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Take fluconazpe (Diflucan) prescribed by your doctor. If the fungal infection is more severe, your doctor may prescribe fluconazpe. This medication also works in the same way as clotrimazpe. The most common side effects were headache, nausea, dizziness, change in appetite, loose stools, abdominal pain, skin rash, and elevated liver enzymes. [14] X Research Source

  • Fluconazpe comes in tablet form. Doctors usually prescribe a dose of 200 mg for a day, then 100 mg a day for 3 to 5 days. [15] X Research Source
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Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 8

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 8

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Avoid antibiotics. Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, so they are not very effective against fungi.

  • Antibiotics can even worsen a fungal ear infection because they can kill the good bacteria in your ear or other parts of your body that help you fight off a fungal infection. [16] X Research Source
Image titled Avoid Aspartame Step 9

Image titled Avoid Aspartame Step 9

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Go for re-examination. You will have to visit your doctor for a follow-up visit in about a week to see if the treatment is working. If not, your doctor may try another option.

  • Also, be sure to contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse or don’t get better.

Use home remedies

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 9

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 9

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Use hydrogen peroxide. Use a medical dropper to put 2-3 drops of hydrogen peroxide in the affected ear. Leave it in the ear canal for 5-10 minutes, then tilt your head to let the flow out. This treatment will help soften the scabs or solid deposits in the ear canal, thereby helping to wash the fungal clumps out of the ear. [17] X Research Source
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 10

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 10

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Use a hair dryer. Turn on the hair dryer on the lowest setting and place it at least 25cm away from the infected ear. This method helps to dry out the moisture in the ear canal, hindering the growth of fungus. [18] X Research Sources

  • Be careful not to burn your ears.
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 11

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 11

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Apply warm compresses to the infected ear. Use a clean towel and dip it in warm water. Make sure the towel is not too hot. Place a warm washcloth on the infected ear and wait until it cools down completely. This method helps relieve pain without having to use painkillers, and at the same time stimulates blood circulation to the damaged area, helping the disease to heal quickly. [19] X Research Source
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 12

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 12

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Use rubbing alcohol and apple cider vinegar. Mix the mixture at a ratio of 1:1. Use a medical dropper to put a few drops in the affected ear. Leave the solution in your ear for 10 minutes, then tilt your head to let it drain. You can use this therapy every 4 hours, up to 2 weeks.

  • Rubbing alcohol is a volatile substance, which can help remove the warmth in the ear canal that is the cause of a fungal infection. Alcohol also has an antiseptic effect on the skin in the ear canal. The acidity of vinegar slows down fungal growth, as both Candida and Aspergillus thrive better in an “alkaline” environment. [20] X Research Sources
  • This mixture has an antiseptic effect and dries the ear, reducing the time of infection. [21] X Research Source
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 13

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 13

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Eat foods rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues damaged by fungal infections. Vitamin C also helps the body produce cplagen, a protein that makes up tissues such as skin, cartilage, and blood vessels. Doctors recommend taking a vitamin C supplement at doses of 500 to 1,000 mg per day with food.

  • Good food sources of vitamins include citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes), berries (blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries), pineapples, watermelons, papayas, and broccoli. greens, spinach, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. [22] X Research Source
Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 14

Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 14

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Use garlic oil. Take a garlic oil capsule, puncture it and put it in the inflamed ear. Leave for 10 minutes, then tilt your head to let it flow out. This therapy can be used daily for up to 2 weeks. Studies show that garlic oil is effective against Aspergillus (one of the two main fungi that cause ear infections).

  • Furthermore, garlic oil is also said to be as effective or better than prescription medications for treating fungal ear infections. [23] X Research Source Pai ST, Platt MW. Antifungal effects of Allium sativum (garlic) extract against the Aspergillus species invpved in otomycosis. Lett Apple Micro. 1995 Jan; 20 (1): 14-18.
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  • Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 15

    Image titled Treat a Fungal Ear Infection Step 15

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    Use olive oil to clean the ears. If you have a fungal infection, there will be a white or yellow discharge in your ear. In addition, more earwax will form. These factors can block the eustachian tube. Olive oil is a perfect earwax softener.

    • Use a medical dropper to put 3 drops in the affected ear. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then tilt your head to let the oil drain out. Olive oil will soften the earwax (cerumen) and other solid debris, making it easier to remove (similar to hydrogen peroxide). Olive oil is also effective in reducing ear infections associated with fungal infections. The anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil are due to the high content of ppyphenp in the oil. [24] X Research Sources
  • X

    This article was co-written by Payam Daneshrad, MD. Payam Daneshrad is an otolaryngologist, facial plastic surgeon, owner, and director of DaneshradClinic in Los Angeles, California. With over 19 years of experience, Dr. Daneshrad specializes in ENT surgery for adults and children, non-wicking rhinoplasty, minimally invasive sinus surgery and treatment of snoring. He also uses the latest ENT surgical techniques to remove tonsils, nasopharynx, thyroid and parathyroid glands. Daneshrad graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was accepted into AOA, an organization that honors health professionals, and Tulane University School of Public Health. Daneshrad majored in medicine at the University of Southern California, where he currently holds the position of Clinical Associate Professor. Daneshrad is an otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon for the Los Angeles Sparks and for the Loypa Marymount University sports teams.

    There are 16 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

    This article has been viewed 29,154 times.

    Also known as otomycosis or “swimming ear,” fungal ear infections primarily affect the ear canal. Otitis externa accounts for up to 7% of diagnosed cases of otitis externa , which is an inflammation and infection of the ear canal. The most common cause of this disease is an infection with Candida and Aspergillus fungi. Fungal ear infections are often confused with bacterial ear infections. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics, but antibiotics don’t cure the fungus, so the disease doesn’t improve. Your doctor can then instruct you on some home remedies and prescribe some antifungal medication. [1] X Research Source Khurshid A, Muhammad SG. Otomycosis: clinical features, predisposing factors, and treatment implications. Pak J Med Sci. 2014 May-Jun; 30 (3): 564-567.

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