What causes fungal otitis externa?

The main cause of fungal otitis externa is fungal infection, especially in places with high humidity and temperature. Common causes of fungal otitis externa include swimming, systemic chronic diseases, improper use of antibiotics, etc. People with fungal otitis externa generally experience itchy and stuffy ears, and may also have a small amount of secretions.

Causes of fungal otitis externa:

There are many kinds of fungi in nature, especially in tropical and subtropical regions with high temperature and humidity, where they reproduce faster. Some fungi invade the external auditory canal and may be the causative factors of external auditory canal fungal diseases in the following situations:

1. The external auditory canal of a normal person is in a slightly acidic environment. If water enters the ear or improper medication is used, the pH value of the external auditory canal will change, which is conducive to the growth of fungi.

2. Swimming, ear picking, etc. cause inflammation of the external auditory canal, the immersion of pus from otitis media, the accumulation and irritation of secretions in the external auditory canal, and fungi are able to breed and multiply.

3. Systemic chronic diseases, decreased body resistance, or long-term and high-dose use of antibiotics throughout the body all provide conditions for the growth of fungi.

4. The improper use and abuse of antibiotics in recent years have also increased the chances of fungal infections.

Common pathogens of external auditory canal fungal infections include yeast, Candida, Blastomyces, Aspergillus, Mucor, Actinomycetes, and Penicillium. A group of data from CADIS reported that among 40 cases of fungal otitis externa, Candida parapsilosis accounted for 42.9%, Aspergillus niger accounted for 35.7%, and 40% of the people had used antibiotics before the onset of the disease.

Symptoms of fungal otitis externa:

1. In the early stage, there will be itching or severe itching and stuffiness in the ear, with a small amount of watery secretions.

2. If inflammation causes the shed epithelium and hyphae to form a scab, blocking the external auditory canal or covering the surface of the tympanic membrane, hearing loss and tinnitus may occur.

3. If there is a bacterial infection, it may cause swelling, pain and pus discharge in the external auditory canal.

4. During the examination, white, gray, yellow or smoky gray mold is often seen deep in the external auditory canal, which looks like a film or vermicelli and is very similar to mold. After removing the moss, it can be seen that the skin of the external auditory canal is congested and swollen, with slight erosion or a small amount of bleeding on the surface. Place the mold moss on a glass slide, add a small amount of 10% potassium hydroxide solution, cover it and warm it appropriately. If mycelium or spore-like substances are seen under a microscope, a clear diagnosis can be made.

Cleaning and treatment: The treatment of external otitis is generally to place 1% to 2% phenol glycerin or 10% ichthyol glycerin cotton plugs in the external auditory canal, and if necessary, give antibiotics and analgesics, local hot compresses, physical therapy or procaine blockade. The most common symptom of fungal otitis externa is crusting. After removing the scab, apply antifungal ointment and take oral antifungal drugs. It is recommended that patients go to the hospital's ENT department for detailed examination, and after a clear diagnosis, receive regular treatment and use medication reasonably.