Ear mites are tiny parasitic creatures that live in the ears of animals, causing inflammation and itching. They also cause a build-up of rather unpleasant looking debris in the ear, and such an infection is therefore usually quite easily diagnosed. If the itching and inflammation do not give a clear enough indication of such an infection, the presence of debris in the ear is a sure sign of ear mites. Such infections therefore rarely get out of hand, but if they do, then they can result in a more widespread skin disease. In severe cases, secondary infections can also develop, which can sometimes even result in deafness.
Ear mites primarily affect cats, and to some extent dogs, but in rare cases, humans can also be affected. They spread very easily and quickly among animals, and it is therefore very important to first of all ensure that your pet's infection is taken care of, as this is most probably where you got your infection from. For this, you will of course need to visit your veterinarian, especially because the fact that you yourself have developed this infection means that your pet's infection is probably much worse.
In the meanwhile, you can start treating your own ear mite infection. The best treatment would be to apply mineral oil in your ear to suffocate the ear mites. You can first put a few drops of oil in your ear, and then put a little oil on your finger and gently massage your ear with it. Leave the oil in your ear for half an hour, and then gently wipe your ear with a clean piece of cotton. Make sure that you do not apply too much pressure or press too deep into your ear when doing this. Using this treatment a couple of times a day should be enough. It should not be too difficult to get rid of the ear mites, as the human ear is naturally not a very suitable environment for these mites to grow and reproduce. You should be able to get rid of the ear mites within three or four days, or a week at the most; if they last any longer, you should visit a doctor.
For the irritation and inflammation, you can simply apply a hot compress. Dip a clean, soft cloth in some hot water, squeeze out the excess water from the cloth, and then press the cloth against your ear for a few minutes, repeating this procedure for ten or fifteen minutes.
answered by G R