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Question #12750
52 days ago
102

fungus ear drops - #12750

Yuvan

I am really at my wits end here! For the last couple of weeks, I've had this stubborn ear issue that won’t go away. I went to my doc, and after looking around, they said it might be a fungal infection—which totally freaked me out! They suggested using fungus ear drops, which I didn’t even know existed until now. I guess I was just thinking of regular drops. So, I got this prescription for fungus ear drops and started using them. The first couple of days, I thought they helped a bit, but then I felt like my ear was still plugging up, like I had a strange pressure or something. It's just so annoying! I did some googling about fungus ear drops and there's so much information, but I still wonder, are fungus ear drops really effective? Like, how long should I expect before things start clearing up? Also, I read that using them for longer than the doctor said might be bad—I don’t wanna make things worse! Anyone know if it's common for fungus ear drops to cause more irritation? And what if it doesn’t clear up and I end up needing something stronger? Just kinda worried right now, you know? Any advice would really help me out!

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Doctors’ responses

Fungal ear infections, often called otomycosis, can be quite frustrating and might present with symptoms like itching, discomfort, discharge, or a sense of fullness in the ear as you’ve described. Fungus ear drops are indeed a common treatment for this type of infection, and they’re designed to combat the fungi causing the issue. While they can be effective, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage and duration. Generally, you might begin to see improvement within a week, but for some, it could take a bit longer, depending on the severity of the infection. You should complete the entire course even if symptoms start to improve before the prescribed period ends; stopping early can lead to regrowth of the fungus. However, using them longer than instructed can potentially lead to irritation or even further complications, so it’s best to adhere to what was recommended. It’s not uncommon for ear drops to cause mild irritation initially, as they can alter the ear canal’s flora and environment. If you suspect the drops are causing severe irritation or if symptoms persist beyond the expected treatment time, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider. They might need to reassess your condition, check for any allergic reactions, or consider an alternative treatment, like oral antifungal medications or different drops. Avoid putting anything else into the ear without guidance, and keep the ear as dry as possible. If your symptoms include severe pain, fever, or hearing loss, seek medical help promptly as these could indicate a more serious condition needing faster intervention. Remember, diagnosis and monitoring by a professional are crucial, especially to rule out any bacterial component, which can sometimes coexist with fungal infections.

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