Fungal diseases or mycoses of the ear are quite common in people of different age groups. Pathogenic microorganisms, getting on the skin of the external auditory canal, with a decrease in immunity or concomitant diseases, begin to multiply. The physiology and anatomical structure of the ear canal create favorable conditions for the intensive reproduction of fungi, and treatment is complicated by the almost asymptomatic initial stage of the disease.
Causes
There are several groups of main causes of otomycosis:
- The presence of concomitant diseases that can provoke the development of a fungal infection. It can be like eczema, atopic dermatitis, dermatoses, accompanied by itching. During scratching of certain areas of the skin, saprophytic fungi, which normally are asymptomatic on the surface of the epidermis, can get to the surface of the ear canal. Genital candidiasis, which a person has, also often causes otomycosis.
- Development of local dysbiosis, provoked by various inflammatory diseases of the ear. The use of antibiotics or corticosteroids in antibacterial ear drops, as well as inflammatory mediators, make the skin of the ear canal susceptible to any fungal infection. A loose surface that does not have a natural protective film becomes an excellent breeding ground for fungi.
- External causes such as the constant presence of dust, high humidity or the presence of a large number of microorganisms in the environment. Otomycosis is often diagnosed in people of certain professions, such as a junk dealer, a garbage collection point worker, and a cloakroom attendant. A certain percentage of patients report a constant visit to the pool or frequent visits to public baths or saunas.
- Permanent trauma to the ear canal with various foreign objects, including headphones and hearing aids for the hearing impaired.
- Postoperative periods.
Classification of otomycosis
Otomycosis are classified according to the location of the fungal flora and the intensity of the pathological process.
External otomycosis
The most commonly diagnosed otomycosis, the frequency of which reaches fifty percent in all examined patients. It is characterized by slight inflammation and narrowing of the ear canal, the absence of a fatty film on the skin, and small secretions. It is necessary to treat acute otitis externa at the first symptoms, without resorting to home methods, since mycoses can affect the ear canal along its entire length, including the eardrum. Attempts to clear the ear canal lead to the intensive spread of fungal flora, to the appearance of an acute phase of external otomycosis.
During the acute phase, patients notice the onset of pain, which is most intense at night. The volume of discharge increases significantly, the edema of the ear canal increases, it is so pronounced that it almost completely blocks the lumen. A person does not even hear loud sounds, he is pursued by a constant noise in the ear. Acute external otomycosis may be accompanied by pain when swallowing, the inflammatory process affects the regional lymph nodes, the parotid gland.
Mycotic otitis media
Otomycosis average is diagnosed twice less often, it occurs in about twenty percent of patients, and most often it is a complication of purulent otitis media caused by the attachment of fungal pathogenic flora to a bacterial infection. It is characterized by a sharp decrease in hearing, increased discharge, sharp pain that does not subside in the daytime. Patients complain of congestion and tinnitus, frequent headache and soreness of regional lymph nodes. An increase in temperature and a general deterioration in the condition accompany mycotic otitis media.
Fungal myringitis
Myringitis caused by a fungal infection of the tympanic membrane is characterized by the penetration of fungi onto the surface of the membrane, which disrupts its mobility. In many cases, fungi cause infiltration and perforation of the tympanic membrane, its hyperemia, edema is observed.
Otomycosis of the postoperative cavity
The postoperative cavity of the ear canal is susceptible to the spread of fungal infection due to constant local treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids, as well as a decrease in general immunity in the postoperative period. Patients complain of an increase in the amount of discharge from the ear canal, increased pain in the postoperative period, pain behind the ear.
Diagnostics
At the first suspicion of otomycosis, the doctor, after a visual examination, must take a smear or scraping, which is subject to microscopic examination. Laboratory tests are usually prescribed for acute otomycosis, to differentiate it from bacterial inflammatory diseases. If micellar filaments, pseudomycelium or spores are found in the scraping, the doctor can make a definitive diagnosis by prescribing adequate treatment.
Otomycosis treatment
Treatment of otomycosis must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. At the K + 31 Clinic, patients with suspected fungal diseases of the ear canal can undergo the necessary examination and quickly get rid of an unpleasant and painful disease. It is convenient to undergo treatment while in the day hospital, or when visiting the clinic for procedures, the treatment is carried out confidentially if the patient wishes.
Therapeutic methods include not only the appointment of antifungal drugs, but also local treatment of the affected areas, rinsing the middle ear, mandatory cleaning of the ear canal from dead epithelium and exudate particles.
In addition to local treatment, the patient undergoes general strengthening therapy aimed at increasing immunity, identifying concomitant diseases. Antiallergic drugs are necessarily prescribed, since fungi cause a strong allergy to the body.
Complications
Lack of timely treatment of otomycosis can lead to extensive damage to the entire ear canal, tympanic membrane and tissues surrounding the ear. Fungal infection is dangerous by its rapid spread, threatening damage to internal organs, this threat increases in the postoperative period.
If the pathological process is localized in the middle ear, then it can become chronic, expressed in periodic exacerbations. Over time, adhesions form in the ear canal that impede normal sound perception, and hearing loss occurs that cannot be healed. Otomycosis in an infant or a young preschool child is especially dangerous with various complications and adverse consequences.
Otomycosis prevention
Otomycosis of the ear with timely treatment can be completely cured without relapse. But it is much easier to resort to simple prevention methods:
- It is imperative to eliminate local or chronic foci of infection in the ear.
- Avoid injury to the ear canal.
- Do not touch the skin of the ear canal with dirty hands or foreign objects.
- Children should not use cotton swabs to clean their ears, as they can damage delicate skin, causing infection.
Many patients ask their doctor if otomycosis is contagious. Since the disease is caused by a fungal infection, when detecting a disease in any of the household, it is imperative to monitor compliance with preventive measures. You cannot use one towel with a sick person; all personal hygiene items must be treated with steam or disinfectant solutions.
