fungal infection on ear - #14981
I am dealing with this annoying situation with what I think is a fungal infection on my ear. A few weeks ago, I noticed some redness and itchiness around my ear, which I thought was just a rash from wearing my headphones too much. But then it started to hurt and I saw this weird flaky stuff, like skin, kind of scaly. I tried some over-the-counter creams, but it didn’t help. I read some things online about fungal infection on ear being somewhat common, but is it really? The thing that's confusing me is that I’ve never had anything like this before, and would this require a prescription or something? I also have a bit of swelling around the ear— should I be worried about that? My doctor has an appointment available next week, but I just want to know if anyone has experienced a fungal infection on ear and what you did to treat it. I don't usually have skin issues but this is kind of driving me nuts, especially since I can't wear my favorite earrings. Is it possible that this could get worse without treatment? Anyone's thoughts or experiences would be super helpful, thanks!
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Doctors’ responses
Fungal ear infections, also known as otomycosis, can indeed be a bit tricky to handle and are sometimes more common than people realize. The symptoms you’re describing - redness, itchiness, flakiness, and potential pain - do align with a fungal infection, but they could also overlap with other conditions like eczema or bacterial infections. While over-the-counter antifungal creams work for other parts of the body, the ear can be a complex area due to its structure and moisture conditions, which is why those treatments may not have given you relief. Prescription antifungal ear drops or topical medications might be necessary to effectively tackle the infection, so connecting with your healthcare provider is a smart move since they can confirm the diagnosis by examining your ear, and potentially swabbing to identify the specific pathogen involved.
Swelling, especially if it’s noticeable or increasing, could be concerning as it may indicate an inflammatory response or possible secondary bacterial infection. If the swelling worsens or if you start experiencing sharp pain, discharge, hearing loss, or fever, you should seek medical attention sooner than your scheduled appointment, as these might suggest a need for more immediate assessment. In the meantime, keeping your ear dry and avoiding inserting any foreign objects or earbuds can prevent worsening the situation. It’s worth avoiding earrings until the area has healed to prevent irritation or potential spread of infection. If indeed a fungal infection, leaving it untreated could allow it to get worse and possibly spread, or even cause complications in deeper structures of the ear, so it’s best addressed promptly.
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