How to Heal Ear Fungus

Otomycosis is the medical term for a fungal infection of the external ear canal. Fungal ear infections are less common than bacterial or viral infections, but they are just as serious and need to be treated promptly to avoid hearing loss. These infections are most common in those who live in hot, humid climates and participate in aquatic sports, such as swimming. Home remedies are helpful in treating ear fungus. However, it's best not to self-medicate if your infections are persistent or severe.

Things You'll Need

• Warm compress or heating pad
• Rubbing alcohol
• White vinegar
• Hair dryer
• Prescription ear drops

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Instructions

• 1

  Place a warm compress directly over your ear, and leave it there until it starts to cool down. The heat opens up the veins and capillaries in your ear, which helps the white blood cells reach the fungal infection faster. Heating pads are also good to ease the pain that all too often accompanies ear infections.

• 2

  Make a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and vinegar, and squeeze two drops directly into your ears twice a day. Continue doing this for two weeks. This mixture will help to dry the ear out, and also gets rid of the fungal infection.

• 3

  Dry the moisture in your ear by using a hair dryer on a low setting, pointed directly at the affected ear. Keep the hair dryer moving to avoid directing too much heat to the same area.

• 4

  See your doctor if the infection persists or the pain gets worse. Fungus can penetrate the ear drum, which may need surgery to correct and can still result in permanent hearing loss. Your doctor will likely clean out your ear, ridding it of excess wax and skin flakes. Also, he may prescribe ear drops to help get rid of the fungus.

• 5

  Use ear drops exactly as instructed. Most prescription ear drops are made up of steroids, antifungal medications and an acid solution. These drops ease inflammation and make the ear acidic so it fights the fungal infection.