Home remedies for ear fungal infection

Concerning Ear Fungal Infection

The presence and prevalence of fungal ear infections

Fungal ear infections affect all three parts of the outer ear. The ear canal, connecting the outer ear to the eardrum, may also be affected during fungal ear infections. Otomycosis is the most common kind of fungal infection affecting the ear. Otomycosis can be treated through home or natural remedies.
In most cases, fungal ear infections affect only one ear at a time. A fungal infection affects nearly 10% of the population at some point in their lives.People in their 30s are more likely to develop otomycosis.

Earwax is the ear’s natural barrier against infection.

The ears are one of the most delicate areas of the body, so cleaning them with care is of utmost importance. Earwax is produced by the ear canals to protect the ears from dust, foreign particles, bacteria, and irritations caused by water.
In cases of excess earwax, it naturally exits the ear canal through the ear opening, but excessive wax production in the ear canals can sometimes also clog the ear canals and lead to hearing loss.

Read more – Ear pain and causes of earaches.

Causes of fungal ear infections

A fungal infection in the ear is caused mainly by fungus. Fungi of different genera cause infections in the ear. Among them, Candida and Aspergillus are the most frequent types of fungi that cause ear infections.

Risk factors that can lead to an ear infection are:

• use of cotton swabs
• Injury to the ear canal while cleaning it
• Getting the water inside your ears while swimming
• Use of earplugs or ear aids
• Getting hair sprays or hair dyes inside the ear canal

Symptoms of a fungal ear infection:

The symptoms of a fungal ear infection start quickly; below are the most common and present symptoms.

• Pain inside the ear
• High temperature
• Feeling sick 
• Lack of energy
• Hearing impairment
• discharge oozing from the ear
• feeling of pressure inside the ear
• feeling of fullness in the ear
• Itching and irritation around the ear
• Scaly skin around the ear

Read more – Middle ear infection: Symptoms, Causes and Preventions

Home remedies for fungal infection in the ear:

A fungal infection in the ear is painful for both adults and children alike. If you don’t want to go to the doctor because you think the infection isn’t too bad, you can opt for home remedies to ease the pain and get rid of the fungal infection.

1) Cold and hot compression:

Apply heat or an ice pack to the affected area to relieve pain. The temperature can be of the patient’s choice, but care should be taken while applying ultrasound; injuries happen. Alternate use of cold and hot packs on the affected side for every 10 minutes is also advisable.

2. Mullein oil

Mullein oil is derived from the blossoms of the mullein plant. It has proven benefits for relieving pain in the ear during fungal ear infections. Mullein is available in medical shops as a tincture or as an ingredient in herbal ear drops. It is one of the best home remedies for a fungal ear infection.

3. Vitamin D

Apparently, Vitamin D may appear to have nothing to do with ear infections, but its indirect effect on the immune system contributes towards avoiding ear fungal infections. Ear infections are less likely to occur in people with a healthy immune system.

4. Garlic oil

Garlic oil-based ear drops act as good antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal medicine. They are effective in relieving pain during a fungal ear infection. You may also prepare your own garlic oil ear drops by just soaking crushed garlic cloves in warm olive oil.

5. Chiropractic treatment

Adjustments to the neck and shoulders may help alleviate tight muscles behind the ear, allowing trapped fluid to flow.

6. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can help keep your ears clean by preventing dirt and bacteria from getting into the middle ear. It can help prevent swimmer’s ear. Using a cotton swab, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the ear canal, being careful not to get any into the ear itself.

7. Ginger

Ginger, which has anti-inflammatory effects, can be administered to the outer ear canal in the form of juice or infused oil, but ginger juice should never be poured directly into the ear.

8. Herbal Ear Drops

Ear drops made by naturopaths contain a variety of herbs and essential oils that can be used to treat ear infections. Garlic, ginger, tea tree oil, mullein, and other herbs are all possible inclusions. Herbal ear drops are available in medical stores.

9. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is rich in acetic acid. Acetic acid has antimicrobial properties that can be used to treat otomycosis. Combine equal parts warm water and apple cider vinegar in a dropper vial and apply a few drops to the affected ear.

Read more – Health benefits of Apple cider vinegar

Fungal ear infection home treatment

Changing positions in the bed

If you sleep on your side, turn your affected ear upward rather than downward into the pillow. Sleeping with your damaged ear propped up on a cushion can aggravate the problem.

Exercises for your neck

Ear infections can produce pressure in the ear canal, which can be relieved with neck movements. To do neck rotation exercises, follow these steps:

• Straighten your back or sit up.
• Make your neck parallel to your right shoulder by rotating it to the right. For five to ten seconds, keep your hands in place.
• Raise your shoulders upward, as if reaching for your earlobes. For five to ten seconds, keep your hands in place.
• do these exercises on a regular basis.

How to remove fungus from your ears at home

A home remedy to treat fungal ear infections can be prepared by combining equal parts of apple cider vinegar and warm (not boiling) water in a large mixing bowl. Using a clean dropper bottle or a baby syringe, put 5 to 10 drops in each ear. Lean on your side and cover your ear with a cotton ball or clean cloth to allow droplets to enter and settle in your ear. Remove the cotton ball and lay down on the opposite side to allow excess liquid to drain before drying the ear with a hair dryer on low heat.

Note: If you do not have apple cider vinegar, white vinegar can also be used.

Conclusion:

Ear fungal infections are the most common type of ear infection. Identifying the ear fungal infection and understanding the symptoms correctly to treat them are the right ways to handle the infection. Being a common disease, this can be treated at home to a certain extent. Home remedies are trusted and effective ways to control and eliminate ear fungal infections. So, whenever there are any symptoms of otomycosis, do read and treat for a comfortable cure at home. You can get free teleconsultation from our expert doctors on our online pharmacy – Truemeds or you can also download our Truemeds app. You can avail of branded as well as generic medicines by uploading your prescription on Truemeds. When placing an order for medicines online, you may save more money by selecting alternative or generic medicine advised by Truemed’s expert doctors. You can also save up to 72% on your purchase and get free home delivery pan India.

Disclaimer: Although it is safe to use for most people, please consult your health care professional before using it.

References:

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/3-home-remedies-for-an-ear-infection/