What Are the Treatments for Fungal Ear Infections?

Fungal ear infections are known by several different names. These infections are sometimes called swimmer's ear, caused by fungus, or otitis externa. When an ear infection is caused by fungus, the treatment is different than that of more common bacterial ear infections. Fungal infections affect the ear canal and the outer ear.

Ear Cleaning

• Ears should be kept clean to help treat a fungal infection. A soft rag or a cotton swab should be used to wipe out any visible wax or discharge. (Cotton swabs should not be placed inside the ear canal.) A physician will use a syringe or suction device to clean away additional debris. Cleaning is important because it helps get medicines to infected parts of the ear more easily.

Keep Ears Dry

• To treat fungal infections, the ear should remain dry. Water should not get into the ear canal, and there should be no swimming during fungal infections. A cotton ball coated with petroleum jelly should be placed inside the ear during baths and showers, and hairsprays should be sprayed away from the ear during a fungal infection.

Acidic Drops

• An acidic solution such as acetic acid is an antibiotic that is often prescribed to treat fungal ear infections. While this type of medication is effective for bacterial or fungal infections of the outer ear, it is specific for that purpose. Acidic solutions do not treat other types of ear infections. Examples include Acetasol or VoSol drops.

Steroid Drops

• Corticosteroids are often prescribed to treat fungal ear infections. Steroids inhibit processes in the body that can cause swelling, pain and inflammation. Examples of steroid drops include Locacorten-Vioform, Sofradex, Kenacomb Otic and Cipro.

Antifungal Drops

• Antifungal medications are sometimes combined with other ear-drop solutions to treat infections of the outer ear canal that occur with inflammation. These medications can temporarily relieve itching and pain. Examples of these include Tri-Otic or Canesten drops.