Otomycosis of the ear: symptoms and treatment pulmono.ru

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the ear that can spread into the cavity of the outer and middle ear. In addition, a fungal infection can affect the postoperative cavity during mastoidotomy.

This disease does not have particularly specific symptoms. The patient feels congestion in the ear, pain, and there is discharge from the external auditory canal. To make a final diagnosis, microscopic examination of the secreted fluid is performed. Supportive procedures include otoscopy and ear examinations.

According to otolaryngology, studies have shown the following picture: otomycosis, in the general structure of otitis, affects 18% of the adult population and 27% of children. The disease is relatively more common in countries with a humid climate (tropical countries). People who swim or wear hearing aids are at particular risk. In most cases, otomycosis is unilateral. Only in 10% of cases patients suffer from bilateral damage.

Fungi that cause inflammation

Causes

Fungal flora is usually the causative agent of otomycosis. What fungi cause the disease:

mold fungi Aspergillus;
yeast-like fungi Candida;
Penicillium mushrooms;
mushrooms of the genus Rhizopus.

In addition, otomycosis in the outer ear area can occur as a result of any trauma to the ear, with increased sweating, or during systematic scratching of the ear. The disease can also be caused by the narrowness of the ear canal and improper ear hygiene.

Provoking factors for the development of the disease are irrational use of antibiotics and improper use of hormonal drugs. There are often cases when the disease develops against the background of diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis, blood diseases, and HIV infection.

Causes

Today, there are many causes of fungal ear infections.

Let's look at the main causes of fungus:

regular entry of moisture into the ear canal,
constant use of potent medications (hormones, antibiotics),
weakened immune system,
avitaminosis,
consequences of ear diseases,
allergy,
prolonged stay in dusty, air-polluted places,
a consequence of diseases that provoke the development of fungus (eczema, dermatitis, genital candidiasis),
improper cleaning of the ears, damage to them by sharp objects,
excessive ear cleaning,
constantly being in stressful situations,
diseases that negatively affect the immune system.

Fungal throat disease is a consequence of improper treatment. This stage is more dangerous and requires longer and more complex treatment. It is important to identify the first symptoms of otomycosis in time to prevent unpleasant consequences.

Classification of the disease

The localization of the disease classifies it into the following groups:

outer;
mycotic;
fungal myringitis;
postoperative.

According to statistics, the external stage of otomycosis appears in 20-50% of all cases of otomycosis. Fungal otitis media occurs in 10% of the disease. According to the clinical course, otomycosis is divided into 3 stages:

precursor stage - characterized by congestion in the ear, itching, no visible symptoms were detected;
acute - characterized by pain, visible swelling, redness, otorrhea (discharge from the ear);
chronic - this stage is characterized by the presence of a long inflammatory process with manifesting or weakening signs of exacerbation.

Causes of otomycosis

Otomycosis is a disease caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of pathogenic fungi in the ear.

Fungal flora is constantly present on the human body in a saprophytic form and does not cause inflammation.

Ear swabs reveal the black fungus Aspergillus niger and the yeast-like fungus Candida.

Residents of the tropics exhibit the presence of Aspergillus mold fungi. Otomycosis of the outer ear in a child is caused by fungi of the genus Penicillium, and fungi of the genus Candida, as in adults.

When a patient suffers from genital or cutaneous thrush, there is a high probability of Candida fungus in his ears.

The mere presence of a fungal infection in the ear does not cause immediate development of the disease and damage to the ear canal. Otomycosis is provoked by additional factors:

Eustachian tube injuries . This happens due to improper ear hygiene (for example, cleaning with cotton swabs) or due to scratching the itchy surface.
Inflammatory processes in the ear , ingestion of foreign bodies.
Fungal diseases of other localizations (nail fungus, vaginal or urogenital candidiasis, etc.).
Chronic diseases that reduce immunity (endocrine diseases, diabetes, HIV).
Long-term or irrational antibiotic therapy.

Symptoms

Depending on the location of the inflammatory process, the symptoms of otomycosis will vary.

External otomycosis begins to manifest itself with the formation of swelling of the ear canal, as well as the disappearance of the fatty film. The patient begins to complain of itching in the ear, a feeling of stuffiness. At this stage, most people believe that this is a banal plug in the ear. They begin to intensively clean the ear, which leads to damage to the integrity of the skin and infection of a fungal nature. As a result, an acute stage is formed.

During the acute stage, the patient experiences an inflammatory flow from the ear. Over time, the volume of fluid released increases. In some cases, due to severe swelling, the auditory tube is completely blocked, which leads to severe hearing loss. During external otomycosis, the patient feels intense pain, which can intensify when swallowing.

Otitis media of a mycotic nature is usually formed as a result of a fungal infection against the background of chronic purulent otitis of the middle ear. The patient feels a deterioration in general health, intense pain in the ear and profuse flow from the ear. Hearing decreases even more, congestion and noise increases significantly.

Fungal myringitis is formed as a result of a fungal infection spreading to the eardrum. The disease is accompanied by decreased hearing, which occurs as a result of impaired mobility of the eardrum.

The last stage of otomycosis, otomycosis of the postoperative cavity , occurs in patients from whom mastoid cells were removed during purulent mastoiditis. Patients experience even more intense pain in the ear, as well as increased discharge from the ear.

Effective drugs

If a fungus is detected in the ears, its treatment includes medications prescribed to the patient in accordance with the root cause, type of pathogen, and type of pathology. Thus, when the external auditory canal is affected by mold fungi, some drugs can be used, while other drugs are suitable for eliminating yeast-like agents or trichophytons.

Drops

Special drops in the ears help treat the external type of otomycosis. They should be prescribed by the attending physician after determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to the main components of the drug.

The most effective drops for ear fungus are:

Candibiotic.
Naftifin.
Nitrofungin.
Clotrimazole.
Dexamethasone.

The treatment regimen for these drugs is as follows: no more than 6 times a day, 2 drops every 2 hours.

The active components included in their composition are aimed at destroying mold and yeast-like fungi, as well as dermatophytes. The products reduce the inflammatory process and have antibacterial, antihistamine and antiallergic effects.

If the patient is bothered by unbearable itching, cresyl acetate drops may be prescribed. The course of taking this drug is 3 weeks of daily use.

It is important to remember that it is highly undesirable to use ear drops if the eardrum is damaged.

Creams and ointments

Antifungal creams, ointments, aerosols and sprays are applied after local treatment of the affected area. The components of these drugs perfectly disinfect and cleanse the skin.

Effective local remedies against ear fungus are:

Clotrimazole.
Amphotericin.
Nitrofungin.
Econazole
Miramistin.
Fungifen.
Multifungin.
Kanesten.

Miramistin is available in spray form. Rinsing the ear with this product helps cleanse the skin of mycelium, waste products of fungal agents, as well as reduce the inflammatory process.

The last three drugs are considered innovative drugs with a wide spectrum of action. Their components have proven effective against any fungal infection pathogen.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis involves taking a smear from the inflamed ear cavity. Next, microscopic examination of the smear is carried out. The presence of otomycosis is indicated by the detected mycelium threads and spores, as well as the growth of colonies characteristic of the presence of fungi.

To make a more accurate diagnosis, in some situations it is necessary to conduct a trial of antifungal therapy. According to otoscopy, medium-level redness is detected, pathological discharge from the surface of the skin is detected in the ear canal.

During fungal myringitis, redness and swelling of the eardrum are detected. With otomycosis of the middle ear, perforation of the eardrum is observed, from which pathological discharge comes out. In patients whose hearing is significantly impaired, audiometry is performed, as well as studies of the patency of the auditory tube.

Treatment of otomycosis with folk remedies

Otomycosis is an inflammatory process of the ear that develops due to exposure to fungal flora. Typically, ear fungus is caused by molds and yeasts, but in more rare cases, other types of fungi can also cause it.

During the development of inflammation, the pathological process can affect the outer part of the ear, as well as its structures - the cavity, eardrum, mastoid process, etc. In most cases, the middle and inner ear are not affected by fungal infection.

Most often, mycosis of the ear affects those people who, for a number of reasons, have a weakened immune system . This condition is also often diagnosed in patients with diabetes .

How ear fungus manifests itself, and what treatment methods are used to cure this disease, will be discussed in this article.

Pathogenesis

Somatic diseases that lead to a deterioration in the function of the immune system, disruption of metabolic processes, the manifestation of hypovitaminosis, etc. contribute to the occurrence of mycotic lesions, etc. In general, various factors, both endogenous and exogenous, are important in the pathogenesis.

Also, fungal infections can develop due to the use of antibiotics , cytostatic drugs, and radiation therapy . After using such drugs, the normal bacterial flora is inhibited, dysbiosis , and fungal microflora .

The main exogenous factor is skin trauma with cotton swabs and other devices as a result of excessive hygiene of the external auditory canal. When carrying out such manipulations, earwax is removed, which is a natural protection for the skin of the ear canal.

According to reviews, this can also happen after removing the wax plug by rinsing.

Classification

Based on the location of the disease, otomycosis of the ear is divided into the following types:

Fungal external otitis is visually detected on the skin of the auricle and outer ear. This type of disease is the most common - according to statistics, it is diagnosed in approximately 60% of cases. As the disease progresses, the ear canal narrows and there is no protective fatty film on the skin. In an acute condition, the symptoms are pronounced, and hearing practically disappears in the affected ear. In the absence of timely treatment, the pathological process spreads to the eardrum, then to the middle ear. As a rule, the disease is caused by yeast or mold fungi.
Myringomycosis - damage occurs only to the eardrum. The disease is caused by mold fungi, multiplying on the membrane and disrupting its mobility. The tissues become red and swollen, and the risk of perforation increases. This is a rare form of the disease. It is diagnosed in approximately 1% of all cases.
Fungal otitis media - this form is diagnosed in approximately 20% of patients with otomycosis. During the development of the pathological process, the eardrum, middle ear cavity, and auditory ossicles are affected. The symptoms are pronounced. This form of the disease can lead to hearing impairment.
Postoperative mycosis - develops after surgical interventions on the hearing organs. Due to decreased immunity , as well as the use of corticosteroids and antibiotics, the tissues in the ear cavity become especially susceptible to fungal infections.

Based on the nature of the pathogen that causes the disease, the following types of otomycosis are determined:

moldy;
yeast-like;
mixed.

According to the characteristics of the clinical course:

Causes

This infectious disease is caused by a saprophytic fungus. Otomycosis can develop due to infection with fungi Candida, Aspergillus Aspergillusniger, etc.

Factors that provoke the development of this disease are:

The presence of a fungal infection in the body.
Foreign bodies entering the ear cavity.
The presence of a wound surface formed as a result of too active use of ear sticks and other devices.
Ear injuries.
The use of antibacterial drugs and topical corticosteroids, long-term oral antibiotics.
Taking cytostatics, radiation therapy .
Excessive sweating and poor hygiene.
The need to constantly be in dusty rooms.
Diabetes.
Hypovitaminosis.
Abuse of sweets.
The presence of concomitant diseases, as a result of which immune reactions are suppressed.
Prolonged inflammatory process in the wound after surgery.

Symptoms of ear fungus in humans

Photos of symptoms of fungus in the ear

Symptoms of otomycosis largely depend on the location of the process. As a rule, patients complain of the appearance of liquid discharge if candidiasis develops. With the development of aspergillosis, crusts and plugs form. The eardrum is infiltrated, hyperemic, with perforations of various sizes. Sometimes granulations may be detected.

In general, the symptoms of ear fungus are divided into local and general .

Local symptoms:

Redness and swelling of the ear canal.
Crusts and plugs on the walls of the passage.
Ear congestion, hearing loss (usually unilateral).
Severe itching, pain.
Whitish discharge from the ear - fungal spores and parts of the epithelium are released.
The ear is sensitive to pressure.

General symptoms:

Temperature increase.
Headaches and dizziness .
Malaise and weakness.

The disease is characterized by a recurrent, long-term course, so it is very important to treat it correctly and follow all the doctor’s advice.

Tests and diagnostics

If there are characteristic complaints, the otolaryngologist conducts an examination using otoscopy. During the study, optical equipment is used, with which you can detect the inflammatory process and assess how widespread it is.

In order to determine the type of fungus, a scraping is taken to diagnose the microflora. Microscopic or cultural research methods are carried out. Correct laboratory diagnosis allows you to select an adequate treatment regimen.

Other studies are also carried out, in particular clinical and biochemical blood tests.

Treatment

Treatment of otomycosis is a long, serious process and does not always end successfully. Let's look at how to treat otomycosis of the ear. The main therapy consists of taking antifungal drugs:

ear toilet - thorough cleansing of the ear canal and ear cavity from accumulations of wax and secretions; It is also recommended to clean the ear after each application of the ointment - rinse the ear canal with a warm 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide;
antifungal treatment - washing the ear cavity with an antimycotic solution (Burov's fluid, amphotericin, nystatitis, etc.);
in addition to washing, the following antifungal drugs are prescribed - mycozolon, amikozol, undecine;
vitamin therapy, restorative treatment.

With the development of persistent recurrent otomycosis, general antifungal therapy is prescribed - drugs with fungicidal activity (fluconazole, ketoconazole) are prescribed.

Since otomycosis of the ear has a mixed microflora, agents are used that have not only an antifungal effect, but also an analgesic effect. In most cases, treatment of ear otomycosis has a favorable prognosis . With adequate comprehensive treatment, the patient recovers completely.

otomycosis of the ear - ear fungus, photos, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Hello, dear readers of the Medicine and Health blog. Today we’ll talk about how a fungus settles in a person’s ear, causing a lot of inconvenience and suffering. So, a new topic - Otomycosis of the ear - ear fungus, photos, symptoms, treatment, prevention.

When you think of fungal diseases, most people probably think of nail fungus and thrush. But it turns out that there are mushrooms that grow in the ears, causing a lot of trouble for a person.

So the ear itches not only to cold or heat, but also to otomycosis - a fungal disease of the outer and middle ear that affects the external auditory canal, eardrum and postoperative cavities. Most often, otomycosis of the ear manifests itself against the background of decreased immunity and changes in the composition of the skin microflora.

Causes of otomycosis

Otomycosis of the ear can be provoked by concomitant diseases such as atopic dermatitis, dermatoses accompanied by itching (allergic contact dermatitis, eczema, pruritus).

When scratching certain areas of the skin, saprophytic fungi, which under normal conditions are asymptomatically located on the surface of the epidermis, enter the ear canal.

Otomycosis of the ear can develop against the background of common diseases, such as:

You can get sick after visiting a swimming pool, bathhouse or sauna, trying on someone else's headdress, using someone else's headphones, or injuring the ear canal with various foreign objects, including cotton swabs and a hearing aid.

If there is a small, unnoticeable wound or crack in the ear, then there is also a predisposition to inflammation. Otomycosis of the ear is often diagnosed in people of certain professions: workers at waste collection points, cloakroom attendants.

The external auditory canal is an ideal place for fungal activity. High humidity, constant temperature, free access of air, and the absence of sunlight, which has a detrimental effect on the development of fungi, provide favorable conditions for mycoses.

The optimal temperature for the vast majority of mushrooms is from plus 25 °C. In a normal state, the body easily copes with a small amount of them. But once your defenses are weakened, you become the target of an illness in which fungal colonies immediately grow.

Types of ear fungus

Otomycosis of the ear can be yeast-like, mold-like and especially pathogenic. Depending on the location of inflammatory changes, the following are distinguished:

External otomycosis.
Mycotic otitis media.
Fungal inflammation of the eardrum (myringitis).
Otomycosis of the postoperative cavity.

Symptoms of fungal infection of the ears

As a rule, otomycosis of the ear affects only one side, and the manifestations of the disease depend on which part of the ear is affected. The common feature is the gradual onset of the disease.

Characteristic external signs: discharge (gray-green, yellow, brown), inflammation of the skin of the auricle and its increased sensitivity, the appearance of wax plugs, tinnitus, poor hearing, itching, headache.

During this period, a person rarely goes to the doctor, thinking that mechanical cleaning of the ear will help get rid of the symptoms. But by injuring the skin during cleaning, the patient only makes the situation worse. In the later stages of the development of the disease, pain appears, which intensifies when swallowing and while shaving.

Hearing impairment is not observed in this form of otomycosis. With fungal myringitis, when the pathological process moves to the eardrum, patients complain of ear discharge, pain and hearing loss (this occurs due to thickening of the eardrum and decreased mobility).

Fungal otitis media (otomycosis of the ear) develops against the background of existing purulent inflammation in the middle ear. If a fungal infection occurs, the condition worsens, hearing decreases, itching appears, the nature of discharge from the ear changes, and dizziness is possible.

Ignoring the symptoms threatens to become chronic, which cannot be completely cured. I must say that disturbances occur throughout the body. And if a fungal infection appears in one place, there is a chance that it will manifest itself somewhere else.

In isolated cases, the pathological process can even affect the skin of the face and neck. Otomycosis has a fairly clear clinical picture, so laboratory diagnosis is not always required. The main symptom in all forms of the disease is the presence of a specific discharge, and the main complaint is itching.

Diagnosis of otomycosis

Often, patients turn to an otolaryngologist for help precisely with a request to help get rid of it. Candida fungi are a little more difficult to identify. In appearance, the inflammation is similar to weeping eczema. Therefore, to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor resorts to taking a culture.

You can try to determine the presence of otomycosis at home. To do this, carefully insert the cotton wool into the ear, rotate it... If a dark coating similar to powder is noticeable on it or a gray cheesy mass is visible, then we can talk about the presence of ear fungus. However, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to an experienced otolaryngologist.

Otomycosis of the ear is also called dysbiosis of the hearing organ, because it develops when the acid-base balance of the microflora is disturbed. The insidiousness of the fungus is that it resembles ear otitis, so patients, self-medicating, aggravate the situation.

Treatment of fungus in the ears

How to treat otomycosis of the ear? Treatment begins with eliminating the cause that caused the development of the fungus. If the illness is caused by taking medications (antibiotics, hormonal drugs), then their use is canceled. If a fungal disease occurs against the background of decreased immunity, vitamin therapy and antihistamines are indicated.

Maintaining ear hygiene is a prerequisite for effective treatment. A glycerin solution and plain water are suitable for this purpose. Depending on the causative agent of the infection, antimycotic drugs are prescribed. If the infection is caused by mold, take terbinafine, naftifine, nitrofungin .

The middle ear and external auditory canal are washed with solutions of antimycotic drugs ( amphotericin, quinozol, Burov's liquid, clotrimazole, nystatin, Castellani liquid ). But they do this after cleaning the ear from the sweetened epidermis, secretions and earwax.

The skin of the ear canal is treated with antifungal drugs for topical use, which are selected by the doctor based on the results of laboratory diagnostics. These can be ointments, emulsions, solutions, creams. It is also possible to prescribe ear drops ( candibiotic ).

Turundas containing the drug, injected into the ear, help alleviate the condition. If otomycosis of the ear is caused by a yeast fungus, fluconazole, pimafucin, econazole . General antifungal therapy involves the elimination of provoking factors (humidity, uncorrectable increase in blood sugar, immunodeficiency in HIV infection).

Since with otomycosis a mixed nature of the microflora is often observed, fungal-bacterial drugs are used in its treatment, which have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. If the prescribed drugs do not give the desired results, the attending physician prescribes antifungal tablets.

When they have a side effect and can disrupt the intestinal microflora, it is recommended to use Bificol, Gastrofarm, Narine . When the pathological process is localized in the middle ear, the disease can become chronic, periodically exacerbating.

Over time, adhesions form in the ear canal, complicating normal sound perception, and hearing loss occurs that cannot be cured. Fungal otitis media can cause a bacterial infection.

In cases where existing severe general diseases are not treated, fungi may penetrate into the blood and secondary foci of mycotic infection may occur in various organs and tissues.

Attention! Do not take the medicine without consulting a specialist

Galina, Irkutsk 06.28.2019

Advantage: The drug works well against ear fungus

Disadvantages: Not noted

Five months ago I was diagnosed with ear otomycosis. It seemed to me that it was a cold, because in addition to the pain in the ear there were also catarrhal symptoms. The pain was tolerable, but the blocked ear could not hear anything. Before going to the doctor, I self-medicated, which did not help.

The doctor clarified the diagnosis, washed the ear canal and prescribed candibiotic drops with nitrofungin.

The candibiotic, as described, consists of clotrimazole (an antifungal agent) and chloramphenicol (a broad-spectrum antibiotic).

Indications:

otitis of the external ear, acute or diffuse
acute form of otitis media
chronic stage of otitis with exacerbation
condition after ear surgery.

It seemed that otomycosis of the ear had something to do with it, about which nothing was said in the annotation. However, it’s all about the active component of the drug, which plays a significant role in the treatment of ear fungus.

Treatment course is five days

Day 1

In the morning I dripped hydrogen peroxide into my ear, wait until it hisses, then I drop candibiotic

In the evening I drip candibiotic and nitrofungin

The second and subsequent days are the same, but without the use of hydrogen peroxide.

Candibiotic is an oily, fatty mass. The drug does not have a warming effect and does not cause tickling or itching. Unfortunately, even though I lay on the couch for a few minutes, liquid still flowed out of my ear, contaminating my hair. But it doesn't matter.

Candibiotic has a pipette that accurately dispenses the number of drops. I can make everyone happy. On the 3rd day, my ear began to hear and the congestion disappeared. In my opinion, initial ear treatment by an ENT doctor played an important role in removing the fungus.

After a five-day course of treatment, I came for an examination. The doctor stated a complete cure of otomycosis of the ear. But for prevention, he recommended taking the drugs for another three days.

If you have been diagnosed with otomycosis of the ear, undergo the same course of treatment in consultation with your doctor.

Prevention of ear mycosis

With timely treatment, otomycosis of the ear can be completely cured, avoiding relapses. It is much easier to resort to simple prevention methods:

Avoid injury to the ear canal.
Eliminate local or chronic infections in the ear.
Do not touch the skin of the ear canal with dirty hands or foreign objects.
It is not advisable for children to use cotton swabs to clean their ears, so as not to damage the delicate skin and cause infection.
If a disease is detected in family members, be sure to follow preventive measures: do not share the same towel with the sick person, treat personal hygiene items with steam or disinfectant solutions.

Now you know what Otomycosis of the ear is - ear fungus photo, symptoms, treatment, prevention. Take care of your health and the health of your loved ones.

Watch the video on today's topic - otomycosis of the ear.

Vera Shinkarenko, otolaryngologist-audiologist

Source: https://www.medicynanaroda.ru/otomikoz-uha.html