What is otomycosis?

otomycosis is a fungal infection that affects the outer part of the ear. This infection can cause different mold types, resulting in symptoms such as pain, redness and reduced hearing. The diagnosis of the condition usually relies on observing clinical symptoms and studying the discharge created as a result of infection. The treatment of infection is usually performed by local or oral antifungals.

A number of different fungal species can cause otomycosis. The most common etiological agent is Aspergillus, which represents more than 80% of cases. The second most common cause is Candida, another type of fungus. Rhizopus, Actinomyces and Phycomycetes may include bad causes. Many of these mold species predominate in the environment and only cause external ear infection in risky patients, such as those who have reduced immune systems or who have diabetes mellitus. The condition is often associated with the ears that can be strong and yellow in nature. Otherwisethat this discharge is white or black. Many patients state that they feel full of ear and may have problems with hearing on the affected side.

The diagnosis of otomycosis relies on the understanding of clinical symptoms of the patient and note the other diseases the affected patient has. Patients with diabetes mellitus or suppressed immune systems are exposed to an increased risk of developing this condition compared to the general population. Regardless of this, patients are often incorrectly diagnosed and administered with antibiotic ears because their doctors assume that external ear infections are caused by bacteria instead of mushrooms. If patients do not improve with antibiotics, mushrooms could be considered. The diagnosis can be confirmed by the formation of the sample from the ear and by examining it under the microscope for the presence of mushrooms.

The treatment of otomycosis relies on prescribing antifungal substances. The ear is often at firstcleaned after diagnosis in the hope of eliminating as many mushrooms as possible. Patients are usually given drops of ear nuts containing active ingredients such as clotrimazole or ketoconazole. Some doctors alternatively provide ear drops containing the active ingredients of Thimerosal or Gentian Fial. More serious infections of otomycosis may require an oral antifungal.

Although otomycosis is usually easily treated, some patients, especially older patients with diabetes mellitus, are threatened by infection spreading around the ear and into the skull base. Another invasion may be deadly, especially if the skull bones are affected. Treatment of this condition requires hospitalization and treatment with intravenous drugs.