Single Topical Application of 1% Clotrimazole Cream in Otomycosis

Aim: To assess the clinical improvement after single dose topical application of 1% clotrimazole cream in otomycosis and follow up for recurrence at the end of first and the third month. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out at Government Medical college hospital. Patients with KOH diagnosed fungal infection of external auditory canal were included in the study. After obtaining informed written consent from the participating patients, a detail clinical history was taken. Single topical application of 1% clotrimazole cream in otomycosis. The fungal debris was removed with the help of suction aspiration and dry mopping. A single topical application of 1% clotrimazole cream was applied under all aseptic precautions. On the 3rd day the applied cream was cleaned with help of suction under ear microscope. Patients were advised to follow up after one month and three months. During each follow up patients were assessed clinically and examined for residual fungal debris. Result: Otomycosis was seen predominantly in middle aged females, housewives and laborers by occupation. Earache was most common symptom seen in 65.2%. Unilateral involvement was seen in 89.3% cases. The most common organism isolated in otomycosis was Aspergillus niger. At the end of one month of treatment with a single dose of 1% clotrimazole cream, 102 (91.0%) patients were recovered and 10 (9.0%) patients were with persistence or recurrence of the symptoms. At the end of third month, the recovery rate was 84.8% and recurrence rate was 6.3%. Conclusion: Single topical application of 1% clotrimazole cream is effective in treating otomycosis.