A hot and humid summer may not only be sweaty and tiring but might also cause serious ear infections, which could lead to deafness.
Doctors have advised people not to neglect even the slightest pain in the ear during this season as it can be a severe infection called Otomycosis.
This infection, which develops in the outer ear canal, is very common in India because of the hot and humid climate, according to R C Deka, Head of the ENT Department, AIIMS.
The infection may be sub-acute or acute and is caused by wax accumulation in the ear, bathing in dirty water like in ponds and unclean swimming pools and living in unhygienic conditions.
It can also be caused by excess usage of antibiotic ear drops or in severe diabetic condition.
The infection leads to perforation of the ear drum, swelling of the ear canal, dizziness, hearing deficiency and intra cranial extension.
The prominent symptoms of the disease are irritation or itching in the ear, mild or dull pain, yellowish or blackish discharge, a sense of blockage or heaviness in the ear.
According to Deka, though the chances of the infection leading to deafness are only 10-20 per cent, it is always advisable to be careful and get treatment done quickly.
The person should rush to an ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist immediately if any of the above symptoms are visible, he said.
Rahul Garg, ENT consultant, Umkal Healthcare, Gurgaon said, "Certain types of deafness give us early indication but we avoid it. Any kind of ear injury or irritation in ear should not be avoided and should be consulted with a doctor immediately."
On the preventive steps to be taken, Garg said, "One can easily prevent this severe problem by avoiding going into dirty water, not putting any oil in ear, regular waxing of the ear and taking precautions while cleaning the ear."
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