All you know is you have a painful earache that refuses to go away. It keeps you up at night and may even affect your ability to hear. You may have a fungal ear infection. Knowing when to go to the doctor is important so that you get the right diagnosis and get past the pain and inconvenience of an unrelenting earache.
Bacterial or Fungal?
Ear infections can be bacterial or fungal and the difference is crucial in understanding the healing process. A bacterial infection is treated with an antibiotic, and if all goes well it clears right up. However, if a misdiagnosis is made, a fungus will thrive on an antibiotic. Think about times when you may have been on an antibiotic and suddenly you also get a yeast infection--it's the same imbalance as when an antibiotic kills one type of bacteria while feeding another.
Ask your doctor to determine if it is bacterial or fungal before she gets out her prescription pad. It might save you the cost of an antibiotic or an antifungal medication, not to mention the time and pain involved if a misdiagnosis is made.
An over-the-counter defense might be found in Lotrimen drops (for athlete's foot) because it is an antifungal; it might be worth a try if you can't get to your care provider.
Alternative Cures for Fungal Ear Infection
There are many herbal and alternative remedies for fungal infections, which certainly should be a consideration for your health as well as your budget. Natural fungicides cost less and tend to work fast in getting the upper hand on a fungal infection of any kind.
Garlic is one of the most effective antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal substances available and is certainly inexpensive. The combined effects of garlic's sulfur and hydrogen are a potent antioxidant as well. Chop garlic into small pieces and add a few drops of oregano, lavender or clove oil. Let it soak for two hours. Pull the oil into a syringe and place several drops into the ear canal. Pack it with a cotton ball. Do this three to four times a day to kill the fungus as well as the pain. You can also do this with tea tree oil, which also is an antifungal, antibacterial and antifungal solution. There is absolutely no risk in using this oil, with the exception of an allergy to one of it's compounds.
Other natural remedies include plant tannins, which come from supplements or from red wines such as cabernet and merlot.
Colloidal silver is also available at natural food stores; place a few drops in your ears three to four times a day.
Prevention
If you are prone to ear infections of either kind, you should consider purchasing ear putty or swimmer's ear plugs to use when you are swimming, showering or washing your hair. Keeping the inner ear dry at all times leaves no place for fungus to grow, as it likes moist warm areas.
As an added preventative measure, take a probiotic daily to keep your immune system strong. These are available at natural food and health food stores. Eat plenty of raw foods that include vitamin C, keep hydrated and get sufficient rest to help rebuild and restore your immune system.
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