Otomycosis, also called fungal otitis externa, is a fungal ear infection that affects your outer ear, usually your ear canal. In the U.S., it's more common in summer months, especially among those who swim or engage in other water sports. They usually won't go away without treatment. Most of the time, they're not serious, but sometimes they may be.
Fungal ear infections are less common than those caused by bacteria, making up about 10% of all outer ear infections.
What Causes Otomycosis?
Fungi
Different types of fungi can cause otomycosis. The most common fungi that cause these fungal infections areaspergillus and candida.
Aspergillus causes 90% of outer ear fungal infections. It's a common fungus that can be found everywhere. We breathe in its spores every day without any problems. But for some, it can cause health issues, such as lung infections and allergic reactions.
Many kinds of fungi live in and on our bodies. Candida is a type of yeast that normally lives on your skin and inside your body, including in your mouth, throat, and gut. Some species can cause infections known as candidiasis, which has several types, such as oral thrush.
Antibiotic and steroid use
Widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids, especially antibiotic ear drops, can increase your risk for otomycosis.
Weakened immune system
Otomycosis is more likely to worsen and spread if you have a weakened immune system.
Other risks
Your earwax helps protect your ear canal. Anything that reduces your amount of earwax increases your risk of otomycosis.
Your risk for such infections goes up if you:
- Swim
- Scuba dive
- Go waterskiing
- Surf
- Use cotton swabs or other instruments to clean wax from your ears
- Wear hearing aids, earplugs, or in-ear headphones
- Use hair dye or hair spray
- Have ear eczema
- Have an injury to your ear
What Are the Symptoms of Otomycosis?
Symptoms may include:
- Hearing loss
- Discoloration of your outer ear
- Flaky skin around your ear canal
- Itchiness
- Earache
- Discharge that's yellow, green, black, white, or gray
- Ringing in your ears ( tinnitus)
- A burning feeling in your ear
- A feeling of fullness in your ear
- Headaches
- Inflammation
- Dizziness
- Fever
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor to get a diagnosis and the best treatment.
Diagnosis of Otomycosis
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and medical history. They're likely to use an otoscope to look into your ear canal. Sometimes, fungal spores may be seen. They may take a sample of any pus and debris in your ear canal. This sample will be sent to a lab to identify the microbes.
Treatment of Otomycosis
Cleaning your ear. Your doctor will first remove any debris from your ear canal. This could involve dry wipes, rinses, or suction. Don't do this at home with cotton swabs or other objects.
Medication. Your doctor will probably prescribe antifungal ear drops. They may contain clotrimazole, fluconazole, or miconazole. In a study of 214 people with otomycosis, researchers found that clotrimazole drops, fluconazole drops, and miconazole cream had the same effectiveness.
If your ear infection is caused in part by a bacterial infection, you may also be prescribed antibacterial drugs.
It may take one to two weeks before your otomycosis improves. In some people, it can be chronic or recurrent. In a very rare case, otomycosis that lasted three months was due to a different fungus, malassezia. It lives on the skin of humans and animals, and doctors believe that the source of the infection may have been the person's dog.
Home remedies. Talk to your doctor before trying home remedies for otomycosis. Some that may work include flushing your ear with diluted hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide eardrops, or equal parts of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
How to Prevention Otomycosis
These tips may help prevent otomycosis:
- Wear earplugs when swimming, surfing, or engaging in other water sports.
- Use a hair dryer on a low setting to dry your ears after a shower.
- Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to clean your ear.
- Don't scratch your ears.
When to See a Doctor
If you have ear pain, itchiness, or discharge, see your doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment. Fungal ear infections don't usually go away on their own. If you're already being treated for otomycosis, call your doctor if your condition does not improve, worsens, or if you develop fever, dizziness, or severe pain.
Takeaways
Otomycosis is a fungal ear infection that won't go away without treatment. In the U.S., it's most common in summer months, and in people who swim or do other water sports. It is not usually serious and clears up with treatment. In rare cases that aren't treated, it can lead to life-threatening health problems. Fungal ear infections are much less common than bacterial ones.
Otomycosis FAQs
How long does otomycosis last?
About three weeks in most cases. You'll need treatment until it goes away.
Does otomycosis go away on its own?
No, it needs treatment. Your doctor will choose the best treatment for you.
What happens if ear fungus is left untreated?
In less serious cases, untreated otomycosis will linger or come back. But in more serious cases, it can lead to meningitis, mastoiditis, and osteomyelitis. Those conditions can be life-threatening.