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General Health
Question #21999
33 days ago
68

fungus on ear - #21999

Siddharth

I am really worried because I think I might have fungus on my ear, like, I've been noticing this weird itchiness and some flaky skin around my ear, kinda gross, right? At first, I thought it was just dry skin, but then it started to smell a little off. Ugh, it's so uncomfortable, and I'm freaking out. I tried to clean it, but it just seems to get worse. The other day, I looked in the mirror and saw some redness too, and now I’m thinking could it be fungus on my ear? I told my friend about it, and she mentioned she once had fungus on her ear and had to use some specific creams and all, but guys, I’m not even sure if that's what I have. I haven't gone to the doctor yet because, honestly, I keep putting it off, thinking maybe it’ll just go away, you know? But the itching and flaking just won’t stop. How do I even tell if it’s fungus on my ear or maybe something else? Should I be treating it immediately or is it like no big deal? I mean, how do you even treat fungus on ear when you don’t even know if that’s what’s happenin’? Any advice would help, like, desperately need to know if I’m overreacting or if this is serious!

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Doctors' responses

What you’ve described—itchiness, flaky skin, an unusual odor, and redness—could certainly indicate a fungal infection, like otomycosis, which is a common ear fungus. However, it’s also possible that these symptoms could be attributed to other conditions such as eczema, a bacterial infection, or even an allergic reaction. To determine if it’s indeed a fungus, a proper diagnosis by a healthcare professional is essential. They may examine your ear with an otoscope and, if necessary, take some debris for a fungal culture test. If it’s an ear fungus, treatment typically involves topical antifungal creams or drops that target the specific fungus. It’s important not to apply any creams without a proper diagnosis, because alternative skin conditions require very different treatments and could make the situation worse. Meanwhile, while you await a consultation, keeping your ear dry is key since moisture promotes fungal growth. Avoid inserting cotton swabs or any objects into your ear canal as this can irritate further and damage the sensitive skin inside. Don’t attempt self-treatment with home remedies or over-the-counter solutions aimed at skin conditions—leave the ear care to products recommended explicitly by a healthcare provider. Given the persistent symptoms and increasing discomfort, seek medical advice as soon as possible to receive a suitable treatment plan and avoid potential complications like a spread of the infection.

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