HomeAnswersOtolaryngology (E.N.T)fungal infectionThere are inflamed nasal swellings and ear plugs. Kindly advise.

Why are there inflamed nasal swellings and ear plugs?

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Published At November 15, 2018
Reviewed AtNovember 29, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I apologize for the long message, but I am a concerned mom. I have two sons (ages 3 and 5) and both of them and I have been experiencing chronic sinus or ear issues for the past several months. Their pediatrician has referred us to ENT since she does not know what it is. Both boys (and myself) have inflamed nasal swellings that block the nasal passages. We all have deviated septums. My 3-year-old has dog and cat allergy and is prescribed Nasocort and Zyrtec daily which are ineffective. The 5-year-old tested negative for all allergies. We use top line air purifiers throughout the house but are still experiencing severe symptoms. The boys had tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies tubes last year due to scale 4 with obstructive tonsils or adenoids. Nightly I have extracted sticky, firm clumps from behind the nasal swellings that only appear after massaging sinuses. They do not drain out on their own. Both boys ears are totally blocked. And my 5-year-old had dark brown fluid with strong foul odor leak out of one ear the other night. Both have recently been on Azithromycin (3 day doses of 5 ml per day) but symptoms have not improved. Not sure if any of the following are related, but all occured around the time symptoms began. My dad was at our house with a severe bronchial and sinus related illness and and also diagnosed with candida. We had also just been swimming in a lake. We live directly across from a large scale construction project that produces lots of dust that began around same time. My youngest had a recent staphylococcal infection on his arm treated topically with muciprocin. Any clues about what this could be and if it requires more immediate action vs. wait for ENT appointment?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Do not stop Zyrtec (Cetirizine) and nasal corticosteroid spray. The polluted environment around you can harm your children badly. I think that the black plug inside your son's ear is a fungal infection. You need a topical antifungal drop for five days, then the ENT specialist will wash it off, vacuum it. There is a great possibility that all of you have caught an infection from the old grandfather. I recommend immunotherapy for your children if the medical treatment does not help. I also advise you to send nasal smears for laboratory investigation (culture and sensitivity).

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you so much. I will certainly take this advice. I know it would be unlikely, but from the photos, any chance this looks parasitic or more like fungal?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Earplugs look like a fungal infection. Even if it is a parasitic, after washing it out, the clinician will paint the ear canal by an antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory cream.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda
Dr. Mohammed Osama Aboborda

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

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