Otomycosis: treatment with drugs and folk remedies
Otomycosis is a disease of the cavity of the external ear, in which auditory passages cause foci of inflammation caused by the vital activity of certain fungal microorganisms. In this article, we will understand how otomycosis is manifested. Symptoms, treatment, photos will be discussed in detail.
Causes of otomycosis
Due to the openness of the auditory canals for constant free access of pathogenic bacteria, the disease develops quickly enough, and complete disposal of otomycosis symptoms takes a long time and requires a professional approach to the choice of methods of treatment.
The cause of inflammation of external auditory canals can be various mechanical damages and unsatisfactory internal state of the human body. Most often, otomycosis occurs in the following circumstances:
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inadequate hygiene of the auricles and external auditory canal;
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damage to the external parts of the ear by foreign objects, including during the care of the ears;
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various bruises and ear trauma;
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bathing in infected water bodies;
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moisture penetration into the auditory canals and prolonged water retention inside the ear;
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other diseases and complications, including after operations that lead to the emergence of infectious foci.
All this can provoke otomycosis. Treatment can be quite lengthy.
Fungal pathogens
The most common pathogens of otomycosis are fungal organisms from the groups Aspergillus, Candida, Penicillium, so the precise determination of the origin of the pathogenic fungus will quickly and effectively block the multiplication of microorganisms and eliminate inflammation.
However, the main difficulty in diagnosing otomycosis is also in the fact that these fungi are conditionally pathogenic, as they are always present in the healthy bacterial flora of the epidermis, and it is not always possible to establish the source of infection precisely.
Otomycosis: symptoms
Treatment of otomycosis is a painstaking and long-lasting process. It is advisable not to allow its occurrence, as well as to closely monitor any negative symptoms in the ears. The most characteristic signs of otomycosis are:
- painful sensations in the region of the auricles;
- severe irritation and itching;
- gray, and sometimes liquid discharge from the auditory canal;
- palpable unpleasant odor from the ears;
- appearance of a whitish mealy or yellow-brown plaque on the auricles and external auditory canal;
- may cause fever, nausea, and other signs of toxic poisoning.
Additional factors that provoke otomycosis
In addition to the most common reasons that facilitate the transfer of microorganisms from the saprophytic state to pathogenic, one can also name complex diseases of the immune system and metabolism, for example, diabetes mellitus. Increased sugar in the blood becomes a favorable factor for the multiple increase in the number of pathogens on the skin, in the auditory canals and other tissues that are in close contact with the air masses.
Associated disease otomycosis may be present in somatic diseases. The general weakening of the body, hypogenous factors, beriberi, malfunctions and metabolic disorders, long-term antibiotic administration and radiation therapy contribute to the rapid multiplication of fungi and the transition of the disease to an open acute-symptom phase.
Otomycosis - treatment, preparations
For the beginning determine the type of pathogen and the cause of inflammation. After that, outpatient treatment of otomycosis begins. Despite the complexity of the therapeutic measures, the stationary options are rarely used. Only if the disease is detected in severe form. Otomycosis, the treatment of which with medicaments may not work, will require the intervention of more complex therapies.
As the main medicines are used various popular antifungal agents, such as "Nystatin", "Flukonazol", "Ketoconazole", "Levorin" and others.
For external use, ointments and creams with bifonazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine are used. For washing use an alcohol solution of oxyquinoline, a gimzin emulsion, salicylic alcohol.
For the removal of allergenic effects that often appear in fungal diseases, moderate desensitizing therapy and correction of the drug series with antihistamines are shown.
Otomycosis, the treatment of which involves the use of antifungal drugs, lasts from 7 to 14 days.
Recently, for the effective localization of pathogenesis, the drug "Naftifin" is used, effectively blocking the synthesis of a number of enzymes in dermatophytes, molds and fungal organisms of the genus Candida, Aspergillus and Penicillium. It suppresses their further development, removes inflammatory processes and facilitates otomycosis of the ear. Treatment should be comprehensive.
External treatment of affected areas
In otomycosis, it is important to perform external treatment of the ears. Regularly remove the secretions and surface deposits that form in the antero-lower sections of the ear canals and the auricles. Since abundant pathogenic masses tighten the healing process and further injure the epidermis of the auricles. These procedures are highly desirable in the treatment rooms under the supervision of experts to achieve a good sterilizing and cleansing effect.
In cases of mycotic otitis, it is necessary to remove the mycotic masses directly from the perforation of the tympanic membrane. To do this, the drum cavity is rinsed with antifungal solutions, for example, a 0.01% solution of miramistin is used.
What other treatment options are used for otomycosis?
In cases of internal mycoses that arise from external foci or after an operative intervention, polyps and granulations are removed from the middle ear cavity. The cavity is stewed with 20% silver nitrate, and is also regularly processed behind the spur and in the back of the ear.
Infectious foci are treated with various short-term compresses and therapeutic birusham impregnated with fungicidal solutions. Turundas, or ear swabs, moistened in preparations, are placed in the ear canal for several minutes 4-5 times a day. External treatment should continue for another 2-3 weeks after taking mycoseptic medicines. The total duration of treatment during the month is considered the norm, although it can sometimes take longer.
Some types of physiotherapy are also used to relieve inflammation: UHF EP, inductothermy, hydrophorrhizon ultraphonophoresis, prednisolone that relieve irritation, itching, and inhibit reproduction of fungal organisms. Transcranial electrostimulation improves tissue regeneration, has an anesthetic effect, gives positive hemodynamics.
Relapses of
Because otomycosis is provoked by a wide variety of factors, its treatment is often burdened by recurring events. For patients who have had the disease, observation is recommended for half a year after recovery. As a preventive measure, treatment of the ears of the patient with antimycotic solutions is carried out 1-4 times a month.
With a correctly diagnosed diagnosis, recommendations are given to eliminate the causes of the disease and reduce the risk of relapse.
Methods of traditional medicine
In the case of otomycosis, treatment with folk remedies is also possible, but it is necessary to carry it out in a complex and under the supervision of a doctor.
Folk remedies are best used as procedures that accompany antibiotics and fungi septic methods, as they are absolutely ineffective in themselves. In any case, it is unlikely that it will be possible to accurately diagnose without professional assistance and laboratory studies, especially to identify fungal invasion in the drum region and the middle ear cavity.
As "home" agents for external use are used:
- solutions of alcohol, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide;
- solutions of acetic acid;
- garlic juice, diluted with olive or sunflower oil;
- diluted onion juice.
These solutions handle external infected areas, and in small quantities they can be instilled in the ear canals between fungicidal washes. Since many components can cause burns of the skin, you should follow the dosage exactly and do not increase their concentration and exposure time. With diagnosed damages of the tympanic membrane, foreign solutions should not be instilled at all.
Long-term compresses or heat treatment of the skin are contraindicated, as this can only increase the multiplication of pathogens.
Prevention of otomycosis
To prevent the emergence of otomycosis, first of all, it is necessary to conduct reasonable therapy of various chronic diseases with glucocorticoid drugs and antibiotics. In severe immune diseases, it is necessary to correct the glycemic profile, carefully observe the hygiene of the ears, use immunomodulating and restorative therapy.
If you have any negative symptoms, you should consult a specialist and clearly follow all the prescribed recommendations and procedures so that the otomycosis does not recur, and the treatment takes a long time.