Otomycosis is a fungal infection that occurs in the outer ear. It can affect one or both ears at the same time. Some groups are more vulnerable to the conditions. These include those who live in tropical or warm regions, diabetic patients, regular swimmers, or those with skin and chronic medical conditions. In this post, we take a close look at otomycosis, including its symptoms, causes, and available treatment options.
Causes of Otomycosis
Otomycosis is basically caused by a fungus. There are around 60 different fungi species that might trigger this infection. The two most common fungi include Candida and Aspergillus. Some forms would combine with each other and make the condition more complicated. Since fungi can thrive better in warm and tropical areas, otomycosis is more common in these regions. Also, the number of cases is often higher during the summer because fungi require warmth and moisture to grow. Those people who often surf or swim in contaminated water are also at a higher risk. Other risk factors include chronic skin issues, eczema, ear injuries, ear trauma, or compromised immune systems. [1]