Fungi can be found nearly anywhere and take many forms, including mold, mildew and yeast.
If you’re healthy, encountering fungi will probably not affect you; however, if you’re immunocompromised, you can experience a fungal sinus infection, also known as fungal sinusitis.
Let’s review what a fungal sinus infection is, the classifications of fungal sinus infections, fungal sinus infection symptoms and fungal sinus infection treatment.
What Is a Fungal Sinus Infection?
In most cases, sinus infections are caused by a virus or allergies. Sometimes, bacteria can grow in the mucus that has become trapped and pooled in the sinuses. However, in other cases, contact with fungi can cause symptoms of sinus infection. This type of infection, while serious, is quite rare. It’s more common among people with compromised immune systems, such as those with uncontrolled diabetes or who are going through cancer treatment.
What Are the Classifications of Fungal Sinus Infections?
Though many classifications of fungal sinus infections exist, they can be broken down into two main categories: invasive and noninvasive. Noninvasive is far more common, meaning only the sinuses and nasal passages are affected. Some types of noninvasive sinus infections include:
- Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis: caused by allergies to fungus
- Mycetoma: a fungal ball that blocks the sinuses
- Saprophytic fungal sinusitis: forms in the nose’s crust of mucus
What Are the Symptoms of Fungal Sinus Infections?
Symptoms of fungal sinus infections are similar to the symptoms of non-fungal sinus infections and include:
- Facial pain and pressure
- Congestion
- Loss of smell
- Sinus headache
- Bad breath or nasal odor
- Fever
How Are Fungal Sinus Infections Treated?
Some options for treating fungal sinus infections include:
- Antifungal medications: These types of medications can kill the fungus.
- Corticosteroid medications: This can help reduce inflammation and relieve sinus pressure.
- Nasal rinse: In the case of saprophytic fungal sinus infections, crusts can be removed by flushing the sinuses with a saline rinse.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be performed to remove the fungus and affected tissues.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call ENT of Georgia North today.
