Otomikosis is an ear infection that caused by a fungus , or a superficial fungal infection of the external auditory canal .

Otomikosis is common in tropical areas . These infections can be acute and subacute , and characterized by inflammation , itching , and discomfort . Otomikosis incidence rate is not known , but often occurs in areas with hot weather , also the people who like to do water sports . According to research conducted by Ali 200 , Otomikosis found more in women ! especially housewi"es # than men . $ut based on research conducted by %ueso , et al , of the &02 cases found, ''.( ) of them are male , while **.2 ) of them are women . +redisposising factors of otitis externa , in this case otomikosis , include the absence of cerumen , high humidity , increased temperatures , and local trauma , which usually is often caused by ear cotton ! cotton buds # and hearing aids . ,ax itself has a p% in the range of *-' that suppress the growth of bacteria and fungi . ,ater sports like swimming and surfing are often associated with this condition because of repeated exposure to water that causes the release of cerumen , and the external auditory canal dry . .iagnosis is based on / &. %istory 0omplaints of itching , pain in the ear , the existence of the secret out of the ear . ,hat is also important is the tendency of water-related acti"ities , such as swimming or di"ing 2. 0linical examination 1igns and symptoms can be found , for example / 2tching , This is due to the exfoliation of the skin by a fungus that grows resulting in exfoliation then mixed with mushrooms themsel"es shape the wet debris . +ain in the ear, 0omplainin of pain is usually follow after complaints of itching and scraping of the ear canal , thus making the trauma and cause an inflammatory reaction followed by bacterial infection %earing 3oss, %earing loss is usually mild due to the large mass like foam on the ear canal which is mainly caused by the fungus Aspergillus niger . ! '. # 4ar a5ueous Tinnitus

6. 3aboratory 1tudies a. 7ixture directly / 1caling of the ear canal skin scrapings examined with 8O% &0 ) would seem wide hyphae, segmented , and can sometimes found small spores with a diameter of 2-6 u b. $reeding /

To be cultured on 1aboraud media , and incubated at room temperature . 0olonies will grow in one week in the form of white filamentous colonies The different diagnosis of otomikosis is otitis externa caused by bacteria , and also dermatitis in the ear canal that often show similar symptoms

Treatment can be gi"en as / 2-' ) acetic acid solution in alcohol dripped into the ear canal can usually heal 3ately specific topical fungicide is often used , such as preparations containing nystatin , ketoconazole , klotrimazole , and systemically administrated antifungal