Diabetic patients who experience persistent ear itching but do not seek medical attention allow fungal infections to develop in the ear canal, leading to perforated eardrums, bone necrosis, and near deafness.
For the past few months, Mr. Vu Khang (36 years old, from Cu Chi) has been experiencing frequent itching in his right outer ear. He habitually puts his little finger inside to scratch and rub it. After a while, the skin on his ear started peeling off in white flakes, sometimes even bleeding from scratching, and he experienced hearing loss and increasing pain. He asked his wife to check, and they found his ear canal red, the skin thin and peeling, with yellow ear discharge, and a foul odor when he held it close to his nose.
On June 21st, he visited Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for examination. Dr. Diep Phuc Anh (ENT Center) stated that Mr. Khang had a pre-existing condition of type 2 diabetes, increasing his risk of fungal infection. When he contracted a fungal infection in the outer ear canal, he did not seek medical attention, leading to a prolonged infection, resulting in a perforated eardrum, ear effusion, and the onset of mastoid necrosis (the bone behind the earlobe). He needed immediate treatment to prevent the infection from spreading to the intracranial tissues, which would be life-threatening. After mastoid surgery and antibiotic treatment, the infection and fungal infection were completely resolved. Two weeks later, the patient's hearing fully recovered.
External ear canal fungal infection is a fairly common ear, nose, and throat condition that causes persistent discomfort if not treated properly. It is more common in tropical countries with high humidity. People with chronic diseases such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, and immunodeficiency syndromes, which weaken the immune system, are at a higher risk of fungal infections.
Although symptoms usually occur in the outer ear canal, if not treated early and properly, they can progress to severe complications such as perforated eardrum, hearing loss, and brain complications (meningitis, brain abscess, etc.), threatening life.
People with fungal ear infections often experience itching and ear pain. (Image: Freepik)
Dr. Phuc Anh advises that people experiencing symptoms such as itchy ears, foul-smelling ear discharge, increased ear pain, tinnitus, hearing loss, and peeling ear canal skin leading to thinning, redness, and easy bleeding when scratched should consult an ENT specialist. Mild cases of external ear canal fungal infection can be treated with antifungal and antibiotic medications as prescribed by a doctor. Severe cases with complications such as mastoiditis or perforated eardrum may require surgery to resolve the infection and restore hearing.
To prevent fungal ear infections, people should clean their ears properly, use earplugs when swimming, and dry their ears with cotton swabs after showering. Avoid injuring the ear and do not remove earwax with unsterilized tools to prevent infection.
Immunocompromised patients need regular ear care and check-ups. This helps detect ear infections early so they can be treated promptly. Diabetic patients with ear fungal infections should control their blood sugar to prevent complications.
Nguyen Phuong
The patient's name has been changed.
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