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symptoms of fungus in ear
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General Health
Question #16285
3 days ago
21

symptoms of fungus in ear - #16285

Navya

I am really worried about what’s been going on with my ear. For the last week, I’ve noticed a weird itchy sensation that just won’t go away. I was cleaning my ears the other day and I thought it was just wax buildup or something, but now I’m freaking out because I've read about the symptoms of fungus in ear and it kind of matches what I’ve got going on. My ear feels kinda full and there’s this weird odor too, which is super embarrassing. I also can hear this ringing sound sometimes, like tinnitus or something? Can those really be symptoms of fungus in ear? I haven’t had any trauma to my ear, no recent swimming or anything that could have caused it, but there’s definitely some weird fluid coming out. It's not pus, more like clear but kinda stinky, and I’m just not sure what to do. I feel like I should see a doc, but what if they say it’s just an infection? I'm also a little afraid of getting my ear cleaned out if it really is fungus in the ear, since I’ve read some scary stuff about that! Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms of fungus in ear? What did you do? Any tips or ideas on what I should check for?

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Doctors’ responses

Fungal infections in the ear, known as otomycosis, can indeed present with symptoms like itching, a feeling of fullness, discharge, and even tinnitus. The discharge you described as clear and with a musty odor points towards it being a fungal issue, although bacterial infections can sometimes present similarly, too. Ears that are clean, dry and untouched are less likely to develop otomycosis, but it can still occur without the typical predisposing factors like swimming or trauma. The ring in your ears could also be secondary to the inflammation or blocked ear canal due to the infection. It’s crucial to have an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional. While it might feel a bit unsettling to have your ear examined, it’s the best course of action. An ENT specialist can properly assess the situation, clean the ear under microscopic guidance if necessary, and determine whether it’s a fungal, bacterial, or mixed infection.

Avoid putting anything in your ear, which could worsen the situation. If it’s confirmed as a fungal problem, they might prescribe anti-fungal eardrops or possibly a combined treatment if a secondary bacterial infection is present. Self-care should include keeping your ears dry and avoiding mechanical cleaning at home, which can be tempting but often aggravates the ear canal. If you have earache, otc pain relief can be used until your appointment. If any unusual symptoms like spreading of discharge, severe pain or sudden hearing loss occur, seek medical care more urgently. Figuring out the root cause will direct the treatment appropriately and relieve your symptoms.

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