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General Health
Question #21026
45 days ago
76

fungal ear infection - #21026

Diya

I am really worried about my ear situation. A couple weeks ago, I started noticing this weird itching in my ear, and it kind of felt all clogged up, you know? At first, I thought it was just water stuck in there from swimming, but then it got worse. I’m not entirely sure how, but I ended up in the doc’s office, and they told me I have a fungal ear infection. Like, what??? I didn’t even know that was a thing! They gave me some drops which are supposed to help with this fungal ear infection, but honestly, they’re not doing much. I mean, how long does it take for treatment to kick in? Also, I can’t help but wonder, how did I even get a fungal ear infection? Is it from swimming too much? Or maybe I didn’t dry my ears properly after a shower? I'm freaking out a bit because I’ve heard they can be really stubborn. Has anyone here dealt with a fungal ear infection before? How long did you suffer?? I just want it to go away and not have this annoying itch forever!

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Doctors' responses

Fungal ear infections, or otomycosis, can indeed be a bit baffling at first, especially if you’re more familiar with bacterial ear infections. The symptoms you’re describing like itching and a clogged sensation are common with fungal infections. Treatment with antifungal ear drops can sometimes take a bit longer to show results compared to bacterial infections, often up to two weeks or even longer in stubborn cases. The important thing is to keep using the drops consistently as prescribed and ensure you’re applying them correctly. Lean your head to the side for a few minutes after putting the drops in to help them penetrate deeper.

Fungal infections can be caused by a moist environment, which makes conditions like frequent swimming or not thoroughly drying your ears prime suspects. They thrive in damp, warm conditions, which is why the inside of an ear can be an ideal location if moisture is trapped there.

If you still notice symptoms persisting after finishing your course of antifungal drops, it could be worth checking back with your doctor. There might be a need for further cleaning of the ear canal or a reassessment of the treatment plan. Keeping your ears dry is crucial moving forward. You might consider using a blow dryer on a low, cool setting to dry your ears after swimming or showering. If your infection still persists or if the ear is visibly inflamed, painful, or discharging a lot, it’s wise to get a follow-up examination, as in some cases, an additional or different approach might be needed. Avoid putting anything in the ears or scratching them as that can worsen the situation by spreading the infection or causing injury.

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