Have you got itchy ears?

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Welcome to sunny Queensland: hot, humid and tropical. Beautiful one day, fungal the next!

This year at Total Ear Hygiene, we have been seeing a lot more fungal infections.

Unlike the mushrooms at your fruit and vegetable shop, these critters (Aspergillus or Candida) are not one for the menu. We breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without any problems and Candida normally lives on your skin and inside your body, including in your mouth and nose.

If your ears are feeling itchy, looking red on the inside or discharging any thick fluid, you could be looking at a fungal infection.

The first thing we say to clients when we suspect a fungal infection is “please don’t fiddle with your ears’. We know your ears are itchy, but fungal infections are also extremely contagious and getting the infection onto your fingers can then transfer to your other ear, or someone else’s. Instead, see your doctor who will recommend the proper treatment. If we find it first, we usually clean up your ears by suctioning up all the mucous that is secreted before we send you off to your doctor. Similarly, they may refer you to us for a clean-up before starting treatment.

If you’re worried or concerned that you may have an infection, make an appointment with us for expert advice.