Fungal Ear Infection: Otomycosis What is a Fungal Ear Infection? A fungal ear infection or Otomycosis occurs in the outer part of the ear and its main characteristic or symptom is severe itching. It is also technically called Fungal Otitis Externa. Otitis means ear infection. So, Fungal Otitis Externa translates to fungal infection in the external part of the ear. It can be caused by cleaning ears with unsanitized objects, especially after a bath. What causes Fungal Ear Infections? Aspergillus Niger(black-colored) or Candida(white-colored) fungi cause the outer ear canal fungal infection. Most cases are because of Aspergillus Niger. The spores of Aspergillus Niger are present in the environment. Fungal ear infections are caused in the ear canal when water enters it. A damp or humid environment promotes the growth of fungus. To know more about ear infection causes, please refer to our article "What causes ear infection". Risks Role of Humid Climates in Causing Otomycosis As mentioned earlier, moisture in the ear promotes fungal growth. Additionally, when the climate is humid, the chances of fungal ear infection or otomycosis increase. These cases are more common in coastal areas. In fact, bacterial otitis externa is the second most common ear infection in non-coastal regions, but the same place is taken by fungal otitis externa in coastal regions. Ear infection due to earbuds When earbuds or any external objects are used to clean ears, they can cause a rupture of the skin in the ear canal. This rupture skin can be easily subjected to an infection, either bacterial or fungal. As most people tend to clean their ears after a shower, the skin in the ear canal can be wet, making it more sensitive. So, after a shower, the skin can easily rupture, and as there is moisture all over, a fungal ear infection can be caused. Check out the case study of a spike in otomycosis in a non-coastal area. Fungal Ear Infection Symptoms 1. Fungal ear infection symptoms occur in this order 2. Itchiness in the ears 3. Pain in the ear Deafness - perforation of the eardrum Severe Itchy Ears The fungus grows and feeds on the wax when conditions are ideal for its growth, for example, when your ear is wet. While the fungus is eating the wax, we experience itchy ears. Pain in the Ear After the completion of the wax, fungus encroaches on the ear canal’s skin, causing pain in the ear. Deafness due to perforation The itching present before can worsen when fungus creeps onto the skin. It could even create perforation of the eardrums leading to deafness. This deafness could be a permanent one. Otomycosis Diagnosis An ENT can diagnose Otomycosis using an otoscope and looking into the ear. Visiting an ENT for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of ear infections is essential. An ear infection can spread to different parts of the ear, and only a doctor can diagnose and treat it properly to stop it from causing more damage. Sometimes a person can have both fungal otitis externa and bacterial otitis externa too. Only an ENT doctor can recognize this using an otoscope. Fungal Ear Infection Treatment Fungal ear infection treatment involves two steps. 1. Cleaning of fungus in the ear canal 2. Antifungal ear drops An ENT will clean the ear and remove the fungus in the ear. Antifungal ear drops will kill the remaining fungus and stop it from growing further.