What is it and how to treat it?

[Cert1967]

@scubadada wins the chicken dinner.

Not surprising as his profile lists his occupation as, "Physician, Infectious Diseases, retired".​

My old high school buddy, Ed, Professor of Biological Sciences (Pathology), was the unfortunate victim. Here is what he had to say.

"Ten percent of swimmer’s ear cases are fungal, and many are caused by Aspergillus niger, which has the prettiest fruiting bodies and pigment too. The “funny earwax” was a fungus ball. Treatment was to squeeze a tube of clotrimazole jock itch creme into my ear. Full recovery by 36 hours."​

A big squirt of Lotrimin in the ear?

 

[Cert1967]

Or a waste of time. Esp in the diving medicine forum.
Ask questions, provide information, but put guessing games elsewhere.

@tursiops, Pal you are the "marine scientist and master instructor". I didn't know you were also the SB PoPo?

If you don't want to participate in a thread - just pass it on by.

On a more serious note - ear issues are a recurring topic on SB. Here a fungal case is presented with the treatment being jock itch cream shot into the ear.

Me, I thought a "Marine Scientist" would find the question easy - I guess not.

 

[scubadada]

Probably superficial otitis externa due to Aspergillus niger. Suspect it was treated with acetic acid/vinegar. See #6

Hi @Cert1967 You were posting while I was typing

 

[tursiops]

@tursiops, Pal you are the "marine scientist and master instructor". I didn't know you were also the SB PoPo?

If you don't want to participate in a thread - just pass it on by.

On a more serious note - ear issues are a recurring topic on SB. Here a fungal case is presented with the treat being jock itch cream shot into the ear.

Me, I thought a "Marine Scientist" would find the question easy - I guess not.

>>ignore

 

[Jcp2]

That’s a fungal fruiting body.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Cert1967

Good story but I don't believe clotrimazole has activity against Aspergillus. Removing the infected/colonized cerumen and flushing out the canal probably did it.

When do I get the dinner?

 

[Saboteur]

Syphilis?

There’d be quite a story to that....

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Why not guess a little, it's a bit fun.

Someone has already won the chicken dinner

Hint, it didn't respond to ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone drops or systemic amoxicillin.

What over-the-counter treatment was used successfully?

Attached is the original specimen

View attachment 551196

YAY! I WON! I WON!

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

@scubadada wins the chicken dinner

I am being robbed!

 

[Cert1967]

Hi @Cert1967

Good story but I don't believe clotrimazole has activity against Aspergillus. Removing the infected/colonized cerumen and flushing out the canal probably did it.

When do I get the dinner?

Me, not smart enough for an opinion on the treatment. But the doc - the victim - said 36 hours after the jock cream injection did the trick.

The DINNER - join us in Raja this spring and its on me.

Skier? Vail is looking good this year - lots of great places to eat - dinner is on me here too.

Thanks for your participation and insightful comments. Wish I was as smart as you and Ed.