Fungal Nose Infection

A fungal nose infection is known medically as fungal sinusitis or a fungal sinus infection. There are a few different types of fungal infections, though all are caused by exposure to various types of fungi.

Types

• There are four categories of fungal sinusitis: fungal ball, allergic, and acute or chronic invasive sinusitis. Each is caused by exposure to certain types of fungus, which then grow in the sinus cavities.

Fungal Ball

• Fungal ball sinusitis is when a growth, or ball, of fungi grows in the maxillary sinus cavity. This is the sinus behind the cheeks, adjacent to the ethmoid sinuses.

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

• Allergic fungal sinusitis is similar to fungal ball. However, a mass of fungi isn't the cause of symptoms. The fungi cause inflammation or polyps in the sinuses, which results in difficulty draining mucus. It is harder to completely heal than fungal ball due to the fungi in the environment which can repeatedly cause the infection to recur.

Acute and Chronic Invasive Sinusitis

• Acute and chronic invasive sinusitis are more severe and can be fatal. The fungi grows in the sinuses and surrounding bone. The acute form develops very rapidly, while the chronic develops more gradually.

Treatment

• Fungal sinusitis needs treatment to heal. Minimally invasive surgery and antibiotics can be used in fungal ball and allergic sinusitis. More invasive surgery and antifungals are used to treat the invasive types.