Fungal sinusitis occurs when a fungus causes a sinus infection. Many types of fungi can cause fungal sinusitis, resulting in symptoms like headache, congestion, and pain in the head, around the eyes, and pressure around the nose. Fungal sinusitis is usually treated with surgery, although some forms clear up independently.
Fungal sinusitis is much more likely to happen in individuals with a weakened immune system, and it’s also much more threatening in individuals with a weakened immune system. If you have a weakened immune system, you may experience severe complications.
A fungus is an organism that gets nutrients from anything decomposing in its environment. Fungi live on other animals, in the air, and on everyday surfaces like our countertops. Some common fungi you may be familiar with include mildew and mould. A common infection that is caused by fungi is a yeast infection.
The sinuses are the cavities inside the skull around the eyes, under the cheekbones, behind the forehead, and beside the nose. Sinuses drain mucus frequently to prevent irritation.
Fungal sinusitis is classified as invasive and non-invasive. Invasive infections may spread beyond the nose and sinuses.
Common symptoms of fungal sinusitis include:
If your symptoms become more serious, or you are immunocompromised, seek immediate medical attention.
Many types of fungi can cause fungal sinusitis. Commonly, mould and yeast are behind fungal sinusitis.
Risk factors include having a weakened immune system. Fungi live on everyone – they are just more likely to develop into a severe disease like fungal sinusitis when your immune system isn’t working like it’s supposed to. Some causes of a weakened immune system can include type 1 diabetes, being HIV+, having rheumatoid arthritis, or any other autoimmune disease. Additionally, having recently received an organ transplant or being on drugs that suppress the function of your immune system for any reason can put you at greater risk.
If your doctor suspects you have fungal sinusitis, they will do a physical exam and get detailed information from you about your medical history and current symptoms.
They may take a sample of your mucus to send off to a lab for testing for the presence of certain fungi. They may also perform a computerised tomography (CT) scan of your sinuses to see if they can visualise the fungal ball. Your doctor may also perform an endoscopy, inserting a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to your sinuses through your nose to visualise the fungal ball.
Complications of fungal sinusitis include confusion, numbness in the face, changes in skin tone, vision changes or blindness, eyeballs sticking out of the sockets, and swelling in the sinuses.
Fungal sinusitis treatment varies. Healthy individuals with non-invasive fungi will likely see their symptoms self-resolve. However, since invasive fungi pose an immediate threat of invading the brain, surgery to remove the fungal ball is performed immediately. The surgery will most likely be performed through the nose while you’re asleep, with the goal of being as minimally invasive as possible.
Antifungal medication may also be prescribed to ensure that all fungi are gone. Steroid medication may be used to reduce inflammation, and a nasal wash may be used to wash out the sinuses if they will not be able to clear some of the blockages themselves.