From the end of March, India has been caught with the second wave of coronavirus. While the number of active cases is coming down, people are still being advised to be cautious and follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. There are also concerns being voiced about a potential third wave that may hit the country in the coming months.
In the middle of all this, other medical ailments are getting ignored. As per the medical experts in Mumbai, an ear infection is on a rise. Doctors have voiced that with the arrival of the summer season, there is an increased risk of fungal ear infections (otitis) in all age groups.
While speaking to Mumbai Live, Dr. Prashant Kewale, ENT Specialist, Apollo Spectra Mumbai, said, ''Fungal ear infection called otomycosis is an infection of the ear due to the fungus. This will involve a canal that tends to run from the ear hole to the eardrum."
The symptoms of this infection include the ear becoming red, hearing loss, the skin of the ear becoming scaly, there will be inflammation and swelling, ringing in the ears, muffled hearing, discharge from the ear, and pain.
Common causes for an ear infection such as these can be swimming in contaminated water, trauma to the ear, having diabetes mellitus, using cotton swabs. Another cause could be not removing ear wax, which could lead to fungal growth.
Dr. Prashant added, “The diagnosis is carried out by examination in the OPD. The treatment includes ear drops and medication. Not treating at the right time can reduce the hearing on a temporary basis due to fungal debris.”
Talking about how to take care of your ears and ways to avoid infection, Dr. Shalaka Dighe, ENT Surgeon, Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Mumbai, "Ear pain is a common problem in children and the elderly. To prevent ear infections, take timely treatment for cold, avoid getting water into the ears, dry your ears after showering, avoid putting cotton buds or oil in the ear, avoid scratching ears as fungus can invade, avoid using drops without a doctor’s prescription. Ears have a natural self-cleansing mechanism. A small amount of wax is natural and has a protective role by trapping dust etc. ”
It is essential to get prompt treatment and protect against further damage to the ears. It is also recommended to limit exposure to loud noise and maintain good ear hygiene. A lot of people are currently avoiding seeing a doctor and end up self-medicating. As per the doctors, they should not indulge in this practice and medication should be started only after a complete examination has been carried out by a medical professional.
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