Fungal infections of the ear, known as otomycosis or Swimmer's Ear, mainly affect the ear canal. Otomycosis is responsible for 7% of cases of otitis externa, or inflammation and infection of the ear canal. The most common causes of otomycosis are the fungal species Candida and Aspergillus. Fungal ear infections are often confused with bacterial infections. Usually, doctors will treat fungal infections in the same way as bacterial infections. Often times, they also prescribe antibiotics, but since antibiotics can't fight the fungus, nothing will change. After that, the doctor will provide a variety of home treatments and prescription drugs.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of Ear Fungal Infection
Step 1. Look for signs of abnormal itching in the ear (pruritis)
Itchy ears are normal because hundreds of strands of fine hair can be easily tickled. However, if your ears are constantly itching and you can't get rid of them by scratching/rubbing them, you may have a yeast infection. It is in this way that fungal ear infections are common.
Step 2. Recognize the signs of ear pain (otalgia)
You will almost always experience pain in one ear – not both, because fungal infections are local. Sometimes, sufferers describe this feeling as a “stressed” or “full” sensation. The pain can be mild or severe. This pain usually gets worse every time you touch your ear.
Step 3. Check for discharge from the ear (otorrhea)
Ear discharge caused by a yeast infection is usually thick and can be clear, white, yellow in color, and sometimes oozes blood/bad smell. Do not think of this fluid as normal earwax fluid. Use cotton buds and clean the ears. Cotton buds will be dirty as usual, but if the color or amount of the discharge looks odd, your ear may be suffering from a fungal infection.
Step 4. Look for signs of hearing loss
Fungal infections of the ear may occur in the form of a stuttering style of speech, difficulty understanding words, and difficulty hearing consonants. Sometimes, people realize they have lost their hearing because their behavior has changed. Frustration can also arise when a person can't hear, so he or she withdraws from conversations and social situations.
Method 2 of 3: Using Drugs
Step 1. Know the right time to consult a doctor
When you have an ear infection, it is better to visit a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and find the best way of treatment. If you experience intense pain, lose your ability to hear, or experience other unusual symptoms, seek professional help.
Step 2. Use clotrimazole to treat fungal ear infections
Clotrimazole 1% liquid is a popular antifungal medication and is prescribed by doctors to treat fungal ear infections. This liquid kills both Candida and Aspergillus fungi. The way it works is by limiting the enzymes used to convert ergosterol. Ergosterol is required by fungi to maintain the integrity of their membranes. Clotrimazole limits fungal growth by reducing ergosterol levels.
- Consider the side effects. These side effects may include ear irritation, a burning sensation, or a feeling of discomfort.
- To use clotrimazole, wash your hands with running water and a mild soap. Clean the ear with warm water until all visible secretions are gone. Pat the ear dry with a clean cloth. Do not wipe the remaining liquid vigorously. This can make things worse.
- Lie down or tilt your head to open the ear canal area. Straighten the canal by pulling the earlobe down, then back. Drop clotrimazole 2-3 times into the ear. Tilt the ear for 2-3 minutes so that the medicine can reach the infected area. Then, tilt your head and dispense the medicine onto a handkerchief.
- Change the bottle cap and store this medicine out of reach of children. Store in a dry and cool place. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or heat.
Step 3. Get a prescription for fluconazole (Diflucan)
If the yeast infection in your ear is more severe, your doctor may prescribe fluconazole. It works like clotrimazole. The most common side effects are headache, nausea, upset stomach, skin rash, and increased liver enzymes.
Fluconazole is taken in tablet form. Doctors usually prescribe one dose of 200 mg for a day, then 100 mg daily for the next 3-5 days
Step 4. Avoid antibiotics
Antibiotics are only effective for treating bacterial infections, so they are not able to fight fungal infections.
Antibiotics can even make yeast infections worse because they kill the good bacteria that live in your ears or other parts of your body – these are the bacteria that fight your yeast infection
Step 5. Check with the doctor again
You should return to see your doctor after about a week to ensure the success of the treatment. If your treatment doesn't work for the infection, your doctor may try other options.
Also, be sure to call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or don't improve
Method 3 of 3: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Use hydrogen peroxide
Add 2-3 drops to the infected ear using a medicated dropper. Leave the drops in the ear for 5-10 minutes then tilt your head to dry them. This liquid will help soften any hardened or crushed wax in the ear canal, thereby helping to clear out fungal colonies in the ear.
Step 2. Use a hairdryer
Turn it on on the lowest setting and place the tip at least 25 cm away from the infected ear. This method will dry out any moisture in the ear canal, thereby inhibiting fungal growth.
Step 3. Use a warm compress on the infected ear
Take a clean towel and soak it in warm water. Make sure the towels are not too hot. Place this warm towel over the infected ear and wait for it to cool. This will help relieve the pain without having to take painkillers. In addition, blood flow to the infected area will also increase, so you heal faster.
Step 4. Use rubbing alcohol and apple cider vinegar
Mix in a 1:1 ratio. Put a few drops of the mixture into the infected ear using a medicated dropper. Let the mixture sit in the ear for 10 minutes and tilt your head to dry. This mixture can be used every 4 hours for up to 2 weeks.
- Rubbing alcohol is a drying agent, which can remove moisture that causes yeast infections in the ear canal. Alcohol also disinfects the skin in the ear canal. The acidity of the vinegar will slow the growth of mold, as Candida and Aspergillus fungi choose a "standard" environment to achieve optimal growth.
- This mixture will clean and dry the ear, thereby shortening the duration of the infection.
Step 5. Eat foods rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues damaged by fungal infections. Vitamin C also helps the body produce collagen, which is an important protein for creating skin tissue, cartilage, and blood vessels. Doctors recommend supplements of 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day in combination with food.
Good dietary sources of vitamins include citrus fruits (oranges, limes, lemons), berries (blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries), pineapple, watermelon, papaya, broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower
Step 6. Use garlic oil
Take a garlic capsule, crush it, and pour it into the infected ear. Leave it for 10 minutes and tilt your head to let the oil dry. You can repeat this treatment for up to 2 weeks. In various studies, garlic oil has been shown to have an antifungal effect against Aspergillus (which is one of the main causes of fungal ear infections).
Furthermore, garlic oil is also able to heal similarly or even better when compared to prescription drugs used to treat ear yeast infections
Step 7. Use olive oil to clean the ears
If you have a yeast infection, your ear will discharge a white or yellowish discharge. In addition, the wet dirt will also be very much. All of these things can block the eustachian tube. Use olive oil to clean it.
