Otomycosis is a disease of the outer ear cavity, in which foci of inflammation appear in the ear canals caused by the vital activity of some fungal microorganisms. In this article, we will understand how otomycosis manifests itself. Symptoms, treatment, photos will be discussed in detail.
Causes of otomycosis
Due to the openness of the auditory canals for the constant free access of pathogenic bacteria, the disease develops quite quickly, and complete relief from the symptoms of otomycosis takes a long time and requires a professional approach to the choice of treatment methods.
The cause of the inflammatory process of the external auditory canals can be various mechanical damage and poor internal state of the human body. Otomycosis most commonly occurs under the following circumstances:
- poor hygiene of the auricles and external auditory canal;
- damage to the external parts of the ear by foreign objects, including during ear care;
- various bruises andear injury;
- bathing in contaminated waters;
- moisture in the ear canals and prolonged water retention inside the ear;
- other diseases and complications, including after operations that lead to the emergence of infectious foci.
All this can provoke otomycosis. Treatment can be quite lengthy.
Fungal pathogens
The most common causative agents of otomycosis are fungal organisms from the groups Aspergillus, Candida, Penicillium, therefore, an accurate determination of the origin of the pathogenic fungus will quickly and effectively block the reproduction of microorganisms and eliminate inflammatory processes.
However, the main difficulty in diagnosing otomycosis lies in the fact that these fungi are conditionally pathogenic, as they are always present in the he althy bacterial flora of the epidermis, and it is not always possible to accurately determine the source of infection.
Otomycosis: symptoms
Treatment of otomycosis is a painstaking and lengthy process. It is advisable to prevent its occurrence, as well as carefully monitor any negative symptoms in the ears. The most characteristic signs of otomycosis are:
pain in the area of the auricles;
severe irritation and itching;
gray and sometimes liquid discharge from ear canal;
perceptible bad smell from the ears;
appearance of a whitish mealy or yellow-brown plaque on the earconchas and external auditory canal;
possible fever, nausea and other signs of toxic poisoning
Additional factors that provoke otomycosis
In addition to the most common reasons that contribute to the transition of microorganisms from a saprophytic state to a pathogenic one, one can also name complex diseases of the immune system and metabolism, for example, diabetes mellitus. Elevated blood sugar becomes a favorable factor for a multiple increase in the number of pathogenic bacteria on the skin, in the auditory canals and other tissues that are in close contact with air masses.
Associated disease, otomycosis may be present in somatic diseases. General weakening of the body, hypogenic factors, beriberi, failures and metabolic disorders, long-term use of antibiotics and radiation therapy contribute to the rapid reproduction of fungi and the transition of the disease to an open acute symptomatic phase.
Otomycosis - treatment, drugs
To begin with, determine the type of pathogen and the cause of inflammation. After that, outpatient treatment of otomycosis begins. Despite the complexity of therapeutic measures, stationary options are rarely resorted to. Only if the disease is found in severe form. Otomycosis, which may not be successful with medication, will require more complex therapy.
Various popular antifungal agents such aslike Nystatin, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Levorin and others.
For external use, ointments and creams containing bifonazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine are used. For washings, an alcohol solution of oxyquinoline, a gisemin emulsion, salicylic alcohol are used.
To relieve the allergenic consequences that often appear with fungal diseases, moderate desensitizing therapy and correction of the drug series with antihistamines are indicated.
Otomycosis treated with antifungal drugs lasts 7 to 14 days.
Recently, for the effective localization of pathogenesis, the drug "Naftifin" is used, which effectively blocks the synthesis of a number of enzymes in dermatophytes, mold formations and fungal organisms of the genus Candida, Aspergillus and Penicillium. It suppresses their further development, relieves inflammation and facilitates ear otomycosis. Treatment should be comprehensive.
External treatment of affected areas
In case of otomycosis, it is important to treat the ears externally. Regularly eliminate discharge and surface plaque formed in the anterior-lower sections of the auditory canals and auricles. Since abundant pathogenic masses delay the healing process and additionally injure the epidermis of the auricles. These procedures are highly desirable to be carried out in treatment rooms under the supervision of specialists in order to achieve a good sterilizing and cleansing effect.
In cases of mycotic otitis mediait is necessary to remove mycotic masses directly from the perforation of the tympanic membrane. For this, the tympanic cavity is washed with antifungal solutions, for example, a 0.01% solution of miramistin is used.
What other treatments are used for otomycosis disease?
In cases of internal mycoses arising from external foci or after surgery, polyps and granulations are first removed from the middle ear cavity. The cavity is quenched with 20% silver nitrate, and is also regularly treated behind the spur and in the back of the ear.
Infectious foci are treated with various short-term compresses and medical plugs soaked in fungicidal solutions. Turundas, or ear swabs soaked in preparations, are placed in the ear canal for several minutes 4-5 times a day. External treatment should be continued for another 2-3 weeks after taking mycoseptic medications. A total of one month of treatment is considered normal, although it can sometimes take longer.
Also, some types of physiotherapy are used to relieve inflammation: UHF EP, inductothermy, ultraphonophoresis of hydrocortisone, prednisolone, which relieve irritation, itching, and inhibit the reproduction of fungal organisms. Transcranial electrical stimulation improves tissue regeneration, has an analgesic effect, and provides positive hemodynamics.
Relapses
Because otomycosis is triggered by a variety of factors, its treatment is oftenexacerbated by relapses. For patients who have had the disease, observation is recommended for six months after recovery. Also, as a preventive measure, the patient's ears are treated with antimycotic solutions 1-4 times a month.
With a correctly diagnosed diagnosis, recommendations are given to eliminate the causes of the disease and reduce the risk of relapses.
Traditional medicine methods
In case of otomycosis, treatment with folk remedies is also possible, but it must be carried out in combination and under the supervision of a doctor.
Folk remedies are best used as procedures accompanying antibiotics and fungiseptic methods, since by themselves they are absolutely ineffective. In any case, it is unlikely that it will be possible to make an accurate diagnosis without professional help and laboratory tests, especially to identify fungal invasion in the tympanic region and the middle ear cavity.
As "home" remedies for external use are used:
solutions of alcohol, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide;
acetic acid solutions;
garlic juice diluted with olive or sunflower oil;
diluted onion juice
The indicated solutions are used to treat external infected areas, and in small quantities they can be instilled into the ear canals between fungicidal washes. Since many components can cause skin burns, you should strictly adhere to the dosage and do not increase their concentration and time.impact. With diagnosed damage to the eardrum, foreign solutions should not be instilled at all.
Prolonged compresses or heat treatment of the skin is also contraindicated, as this can only increase the reproduction of pathogens.
Measures to prevent otomycosis
To prevent the occurrence of otomycosis foci, first of all, it is necessary to carry out reasonable therapy for various chronic diseases with glucocorticoid drugs and antibiotics. In severe immune diseases, it is necessary to adjust the glycemic profile, carefully observe ear hygiene, use immunomodulatory and general strengthening therapy.
At the slightest negative symptoms, you should consult a specialist and strictly follow all the prescribed recommendations and procedures so that otomycosis does not recur, the treatment of which takes a long time.
