Fungal otitis media: symptoms, treatment, medications

Otomycosis is a fairly common ailment that affects both adults and children. The characteristic features of the course of the disease make it possible to detect it in a timely manner. To treat a fungal otitis it is necessary in a complex. Drugs are selected depending on the type of pathology.

The causes of otomycosis

The pathology usually develops in the region of the external auditory canal, it can affect the eardrums. The main pathogens of otomycosis are the fungi of the genus Candida and Aspergillus. Infection with pathogenic microorganisms often occurs against the background of an insufficient amount of sulfur. This phenomenon is observed with excessive care for the ear canals or if the processes of sulfur formation are disturbed.

Fungal otitis media may appear in patients with a weakened immune system who have undergone severe diseases of viral or bacterial etiology. Suppress protective functions of the body is capable of prolonged antibiotic therapy. The human body simply ceases to produce the necessary amount of antibodies that could suppress the multiplication of harmful bacteria. Thus, ideal conditions for the development of fungi are created.

A provoking factor may be the damage to the skin of the ear canal. Fungi penetrate into the wound, where they begin to multiply actively. Infection often leads to swimming in swimming pools or fresh water. Among the causes of development, specialists also note the presence of metabolic disorders in the patient, deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body.

Fungal Otitis: Symptoms

The signs of some ear diseases are similar to each other. The first thing to note is the disappearance of a thin fat film, which protects the auditory passage from infections. This is accompanied by an itch and a sense of discomfort. After a while, sulfur plugs may appear, causing a worsening of the hearing or discharge from the ear canal.

For fungal otitis, the following symptoms are also characteristic:

• Pain in the ear, worse with chewing and swallowing;
• dizziness;
• Feeling of stuffiness;
• Swelling (swelling) of the auricle and passage;
• Discharge from the ear curdled consistency;
• Sensation of the presence of a foreign body in the ear canal;
• headache.

At usual survey far not each expert can define or determine presence of an illness. Only conducting a microscopic examination of the material taken from the ear can help to establish the correct diagnosis. It should be borne in mind that fungal infections are difficult to treat. Therefore, it is necessary to begin treatment as early as possible.

Types of disease

The symptomatology of pathology varies depending on the localization of the foci of infection. So, the most common is external fungal otitis. With an ailment, the ear canal and the auricle are affected . The main signs are a feeling of stuffiness of the ear, peeling of the skin and the appearance of swelling. In acute period there is a pronounced pain syndrome and copious discharge from the auditory canal.

External otomycosis is often accompanied by inflammation of the parotid glands and lymph nodes. In the absence of proper therapy, the infection penetrates into the cavity of the middle ear. In this case, the symptomatology of the pathology becomes more pronounced, the patients begin to complain of frequent headaches and the constant formation of sulfur plugs. The color of the discharge from the auditory canal will depend on the type of pathogen of the fungal disease. When infected with moldy mushrooms, there may be signs such as fever, joint aches, and chills.

Fungal otitis, in which the tympanic membrane is affected , is the most severe kind of ailment. In medical practice, pathology is called fungal myringitis. The inflammatory process leads to a sharp deterioration in hearing, abundant discharge and severe pain in the ear.

Fungal Otitis: treatment of the disease

Fungal infection is considered a rather dangerous disease, which should be treated only under the supervision of a doctor. Local therapy is the main method of affecting pathology. Patients are recommended to use antimycotic drugs, selected by a specialist. To enhance the therapeutic effect, some patients are prescribed a general antifungal therapy. When otomycosis is detected, it is necessary to stop antibiotic treatment if the patient took them for some reason.

Medicines for raising immunity, vitamin complexes will also help to cope with such ailment as fungal otitis. Treatment of the disease in children should be done only with the help of medications prescribed by a doctor. Otherwise, there is a huge chance of incomplete cure, which leads to a chronic course of infection.

To wash the ear passes antiseptic solutions are used. Surface treatment is recommended before each application of local antifungal agents.

Effective drugs

Most of the drug from the group of antimycotics have a wide range of effects and therefore can be used for any type of pathogen. The following drugs are considered to be the most effective:

1. "Nystatin."
2. Exoderil.
3. Clotrimazole.
4. Lamizil.
5. "Diflucan".
6. Candybiotic.
7. "Ekonazol."
8. "Intraconazole."
9. "Dexona".
10. "Terbinafine".

The scheme of application of a drug for fungal otitis is determined only by a specialist. Therapy depends on the severity of the symptoms of the infection process and the age group of the patient. Modern anti-mycotic drugs have a powerful curative effect and, if properly applied, will quickly be rid of the fungus.

Ointment and Exoderyl solution

The expressed antifungal effect has the preparation "Exoderil", which is released in the form of ointment and solution for external use. The main active ingredient in the drug is naphthyfine, a synthetic antifungal agent from the group of allylamines.

To treat a fungal otitis it is possible both with ointment, and a solution "Exodermil". Before applying the medication, prepare a surface that is affected by microbes. It must be taken into account that the drug can not be applied to damaged skin. The product may cause dryness and burning. The amount of application of the ointment or solution, the duration of therapy is determined only by the doctor. After the disappearance of the symptoms of fungal infection, an antimycotic drug should be used for a further 7-14 days.

Kandibiotic drops

A multicomponent drug in the form of drops is considered one of the most effective for various ear disorders. The drug helps at the same time to stop the pain syndrome, eliminate discomfort and overcome the development of pathogens, including fungi.

The antimycotic effect of drops is provided by clotrimazole, and antibacterial - chloramphenicol. As an analgesic, lidocaine is included in the formulation. The pronounced antiallergic effect is possessed by beclomethasone - another component of the drops "Candibiotics".

Reviews

To completely overcome the development of fungal infection in the auditory canal, it is important to correctly identify the cause of infection and the type of causative agent of the disease. It can be done only by an ENT doctor. According to patients' reviews, otomycosis is well treatable at the local level with timely access to medical care. Suppress the development and reproduction of fungi help antimycotic drugs that have a wide range of therapeutic effects. Duration of treatment is 3-6 weeks.