1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
Profile picture for imallears

Ear Fungus

Posted by imallears @imallears, Jan 29, 2020

Hello,

I am profoundly hard of hearing in both ears. I had many ear infections as a child and have been wearing hearing aids for 40 years. This past year I
had 2 episodes of fungus in the ears and several ear infections. Medications for
the fungus have not worked too well. My ENT Doctor recently cleaned out my right ear today (
Wednesday the 29th) which has fungus and which caused a severe ear ache ....haven’t had ear aches since I was a child.
I am to see him again this Friday and bring with me Iodine and a dropper. He will clean out more of the fungus and paint my ear with the iodine and give me instructions on how to administer iodine drops and for how long.
I have read how iodine is effective in killing fungus and bacteria in general and how it may be effective in treating fungus in the ears. I have little ear wax and know that ear wax has anti microbial properties. No hearing aid in that ear until I see him again.

My question is...has anyone ever been diagnosed with ear fungus and what did you use beside RX medications to treat the fungus or ear infections in general. I think the fungus may be resistant to any medications at this point so the iodine would be a preventative measure. I was using apple cider Vinegar and water on occasion to ward off ear infections but it is very drying to my ear canals. I also use mineral oil on a semi regular basis.
I am happy that the Dr is not going to prescribe anti fungal medications again and I believe he realizes it is ineffective to do so.

Thanks for any info
FL Mary
,

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.

Profile picture for maru3080
maru3080 | @maru3080 | 6 days ago
In reply to @mrstaylor "Mary, Thanks for all your helpful info on your experience with ear fungus. Unfortunately, I was..." + (show)
Profile picture for mrstaylor @mrstaylor

Mary, Thanks for all your helpful info on your experience with ear fungus. Unfortunately, I was misdiagnosed and was given antibiotic drops and steroid ointment to place in my right ear, which has kept the issue re appearing for dare I say it, over 8 years!

Just recently, by the grace of God, I noticed that the fingernail of my right index was starting to develop what appeared to be fungus, which I NEVER had before, making me curious. Looking up natural cures, I found essential oils and vinegar and alcohol in equal parts are what is recommended. Some even recommend a quick dose of UVC light with eyes protected because it kills everything!

So, as I was settling to the task of caring for this one rogue nail, my right ear began to do its usual tingling, and I unconsciously used my right index finder nail to scoop the debris out of my ear canal - talk about a "LIGHT BULB" moment!

Looking at my index finger covered in my right ear's usual itchy debris, the detective in me decided to smell it, and sure enough, the smell reminded me of my veterinarian days because it had a slight telltale odor that dog's ears get when they get a fungal infection in their ears.
EUREKA! I had solved two mysteries: The index finger fungal infection was contracted from my ear. Hence, what is going on in my ear must be a fungal infection as well, and what I was prescribed was, in fact, exacerbating it.

Looking to see if there has been any medical papers written on this subject, I was further blessed - thank you, GOD - with finding this Microbiology research "Otitis externa Fungal isolates and their sensitivity to essential oils of selected herbals" at ijcmas.com/vol-3-9/P.Sivamani2.pdf

I have decided to take its (and your) advice on the treatment of both the right index finder nail and my right ear. Wish me luck, and take care! Mrs Taylor

Jump to this post

@mrstaylor

REPLY
Profile picture for texgrand6
texgrand6 | @texgrand6 | 4 days ago

I have heard that a 50/50 solution of vinegar and alcohol will help. I put a few drops in my ear then let it drain out 2 or 3 times a day. I have also put melaleuca oil all around the lobe and behind the ear lobe. I have heard not to put oil in the ear drum. This is an essential oil that will kill fungus. Some other oils can get hot. I wish you great success with treatment.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.