Signs of external ear fungus

Otitis externa can be completely cured. Photo: Provided by the hospital

According to Master, Doctor Ho Van Huu - ENT Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, otitis externa is a condition in which the external ear canal is infected with fungus. Vietnam has a hot and humid climate, favorable for fungus to grow, so many people are susceptible to the disease.

Signs of otitis externa can appear in one or both ears. Patients often have symptoms such as itchy ears. This is the most common symptom and sign; patients feel itchy ears and always want to scratch their ears. However, the more they scratch their ears, the more itchy they become, accompanied by ear pain.

In addition, the patient initially feels a feeling of tension in the ear. Then, the pain increases, especially when touching the earlobe, when chewing and swallowing saliva.

When infection causes swelling of the ear canal with fungal tissue growth, pus fills the outer ear canal, leading to hearing loss and tinnitus.

In addition, when the patient is infected, the external ear canal often discharges fluid with a foul odor. The fluid is turbid, white or yellow-green in color, and may contain accompanying fungal tissue.

According to Dr. Huu, treating external ear fungus usually only requires local treatment such as cleaning and removing fungal tissue and using ear drops with antifungal ingredients. Patients should not use ear drops without consulting a doctor to avoid prolonged symptoms and possible complications.

Ear canal fungus is usually treated for 10-14 days, but can recur when the patient has habits that damage the ear canal or due to changes in the physical environment of the ear canal such as frequent swimming, ear picking, otitis media with pus discharge, prolonged use of antibacterial ear drops, etc.

Source: https://laodong.vn/suc-khoe/dau-hieu-bi-nam-ong-tai-ngoai-1379482.ldo