By Dr. Shalina Ray | ENT Surgeon | June 2025
When we think of June in India, we often think of school vacations, monsoon clouds on the horizon, and the tail-end of summer. What many people don’t realise is that June is also a turning point in ENT health. It’s a month where rising humidity, sudden weather shifts, overuse of fans and air conditioning, and travel habits lead to a spike in undiagnosed and untreated ENT issues—many of which can become chronic if not addressed early.
In this month’s blog, I want to take you through realistic patient scenarios, explain what’s going on inside your body, and give you practical advice on when to seek help.
🧑⚕️ Case Study 1: “It was just a blocked nose… until it turned into sinus surgery.”
Meet Ramesh, 37.
He came into my clinic with a “cold” that had lasted over 3 weeks. His nose felt blocked, he had facial pressure, and he was tired of using nasal drops. He was surprised when I gently explained he had chronic maxillary sinusitis—an infection that wasn’t just about mucus; it was about inflamed and swollen sinus linings, thick secretions that weren’t draining, and a CT scan that showed blockage in his sinus outflow tracts.
What went wrong?
- He ignored symptoms beyond 10 days
- Used over-the-counter nasal decongestants too long (which caused rebound swelling)
- Didn’t treat underlying allergies or anatomical blockage (he had a deviated septum)
How it was treated:
- Diagnostic nasal endoscopy
- Medical management with nasal steroids, antihistamines, saline irrigation
- Eventually, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) to open blocked sinuses
👃 Science Corner: Why Sinus Infections Get Worse in June
June’s transition into monsoon brings fluctuating temperatures and higher humidity—ideal conditions for bacteria and fungi to thrive. Add to that:
- Poor indoor ventilation due to closed windows and A/C
- Rise in pollen and mold exposure
- Travel-induced dehydration
Sinus infections that linger can silently erode bone, lead to eye complications, or create chronic inflammation. If your cold lasts more than 10–14 days, it’s time to get a nasal examination by an ENT surgeon.
👂 Case Study 2: “He thought it was earwax, but it was a fungal infection.”
Meet Sameer, 29.
He used earphones all day while working from home. One day in early June, he felt itching and fullness in his right ear. He assumed it was wax and used an earbud to clean it. A week later, he had pain, discharge, and temporary hearing loss.
I diagnosed otomycosis—a common fungal ear infection that thrives in the moist, warm environments of the ear canal, especially in the monsoon-prone months of June and July.
What made it worse:
- Prolonged use of earphones (creates warmth and sweat)
- Cotton bud use (injured the canal and worsened fungal growth)
- Delayed diagnosis
Treatment:
- Careful ear cleaning under a microscope
- Topical antifungal ear drops
- Patient counselling to avoid earbuds and keep ears dry
🧬 What You Should Know: Otomycosis and Humidity
Fungi like Aspergillus and Candida love moisture. With rising humidity in June, even healthy people can develop ear infections, especially if:
- They swim often
- Wear hearing aids or earphones continuously
- Have diabetes or eczema in the ear canal
Persistent itching or ear discharge should never be self-treated. ENT surgeons use precise instruments and visualization to clean and treat infected ears safely.
🗣️ Case Study 3: “She thought it was acidity. It was laryngopharyngeal reflux.”
Meet Shalini, 42.
For two months, she had throat discomfort, frequent throat clearing, and a sense of something stuck when she swallowed. She was treating herself for acidity but nothing helped.
On examination and with a flexible nasoendoscopy, I diagnosed LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux)—a cousin of acid reflux that affects the voice box and throat.
Unlike typical GERD, LPR doesn’t always cause heartburn. Instead, it presents with:
- Hoarseness or vocal fatigue
- Sensation of lump in the throat
- Chronic dry cough
- Post-nasal drip or frequent throat clearing
June triggers?
Yes. In summer and early monsoon:
- Cold drinks, spicy foods, and irregular eating schedules are common
- Dehydration reduces mucus protection in the throat
- Sleeping late or lying down after meals worsens reflux
How I treated it:
- Lifestyle and diet changes
- Short-term medication
- Voice rest and humidification
- Follow-up laryngoscopy
👩⚕️ ENT Myth Busting in June
❌ “All nosebleeds are due to heat.”
✔️ True in many cases—but some are due to hypertension, nasal trauma, or bleeding disorders. Frequent bleeds need ENT evaluation.
❌ “Itchy ears mean I should clean them.”
✔️ Wrong. Itching could mean fungal infection, eczema, or wax overproduction. Cotton buds do more harm than good.
❌ “A sore throat from ice cream isn’t serious.”
✔️ Could be true. But if sore throat lasts more than 5 days or is recurrent, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, or LPR could be the reason.
🧭 When to See an ENT Surgeon in June
Don’t wait for symptoms to become unbearable. You should consult an ENT specialist if you have:
✅ A blocked or runny nose for over 10 days
✅ Persistent ear fullness, discharge, or itching
✅ Hearing changes or ringing in the ear
✅ Hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or dry throat for more than 2 weeks
✅ Snoring or sleep disturbances
✅ Dizziness, imbalance, or vertigo
✅ Frequent throat infections or tonsil issues
👩⚕️ About Dr. Shalina Ray
Dr. Shalina Ray is a trusted ENT surgeon based in Bangalore with expertise in treating sinus disorders, ear infections, voice problems, nasal obstructions, and snoring/sleep apnea. Known for her thorough evaluations, minimally invasive surgical skills, and patient-first approach, she’s helped thousands breathe, speak, hear, and live better.
Specialties Include:
- Nasal endoscopy & sinus surgery (FESS)
- Coblation tonsillectomy
- Microscopic ear surgeries
- Laryngoscopy for voice and reflux issues
- Vertigo and balance evaluation
- Septoplasty and snoring treatment
💡 Dr. Shalina’s June Checklist for ENT Health
☑️ Stay well hydrated – 2.5 to 3 litres of water per day
☑️ Use saline nasal spray if exposed to A/C or dusty air
☑️ Avoid self-cleaning ears with buds or pins
☑️ Don’t delay ENT care – early diagnosis prevents complications
☑️ Avoid lying down immediately after meals
☑️ If you use voice extensively (singers, teachers, trainers), rest and humidify your voice
Final Thoughts
June is not just the start of monsoon season—it’s the season when your ENT system is most vulnerable to hidden threats. From silent sinus infections to fungal ear problems and misdiagnosed throat conditions, being proactive makes all the difference.
If you’ve been ignoring “small” symptoms, this month is your wake-up call. Let’s prevent complications with early care and smart choices.
Book a Consultation with Dr. Shalina
📍 Dr. Shalina ENT Clinic, Bangalore
📞 Call: 08025027252 – Whitefield
📞 Call: 08025023278 – Airport Road
🌐 Website: https://drshalinaentsurgeon.com
