European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

COMPARATIVE STUDY: EFFICACY OF CLOTRIMAZOLE AND 3% SALICYLIC ACID IN TREATMENT OF OTOMYCOSIS IN EASTERN NEPAL

*Pravid Gajurel, Alisha Limbu, Arun Bajgain, Bishomber Neupane and Ipsa Shakya

ABSTRACT

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the external auditory canal (EAC) and it is mostly prevalent in hot and humid areas of the tropics and subtropics. Most common organism causing otomycosis are aspergillus niger (80% of case), candida albicans (second most common), actinomyces, trichophyton, aspergillus fumigatus and candida tropicalis. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of clotrimazole and 3% salicylic acid in the treatment of otomycosis. This is a comparative study conducted among a 100 number of patients in Otorhinolaryngology Out Patient Department Purbanchal University College Of Medical and Allied Sciences, Gothgaun, Nepal. They were divided in two groups A and B with 50 patients in each. Group A was treated with clotrimazole and B with 3% Salicylic acid in affected ears three times a day for 2 weeks in the form of local drops. The outcome of both groups was compared by evaluating itching, blockade, otoscopic findings of fungal debris and ear discharge after two weeks of treatment. Male to female ratio was 1.86 in both the groups. Adults were 65.0% of all patients. Males experienced the more severe symptoms as compared to the females in both pre and post treatment phases (p > 0.050). 3% Salicylic Acid better controlled itching and ear blockade (p=0.000) as compared to clotrimazole. We came to a conclusion that Topical 3% Salicylic acid was better remedy in terms of getting rid of symptoms of otomycosis.

Keywords: Clotrimazole, Otomycosis, Salicylic Acid.