nasal sprays/fungus

[dawn2]

Has anyone ever gotten a nsal fungus from using the steroidal nasal sprays, and if so, what were your symptoms? Thanks in advance. Dawn2

[CindyA]

What in the world is nasal fungus?

[Penguin]

Hello Dawn

Yes, I have a problem with aspergillus which causess a lot of sinus problems. I recently had some surgery to remove nasal polyps. I have a lot of allergic reations, am an asthmatic and have delayed pressure urticaria which is very distressing. My ENT Dr suggested that I use beconase spray once a day and also put some antiseptic cream in my nose at night to impede infections. I was using beconase for a few weeks but I have another infection and I suspect the polyps have returned. I am seeing my local GP tomorrow. There is a lot of information on the net re the aspergillis mold. It is very difficult to treat and once you are sensitive to this mold you will be a target for repeated infections.

[dawn2]

Cindy:
A nasal fungus is actual "fungus in the sinuses", sometimes a side affect from using nasal sprays. I keep getting white sticky stuff (not to sound gross) from my nose but the doc says I don't have a fungal infection. He can't explain why the white stuff. So, I asked him since my nose is so raw and dry, could it be the mucous membranes trying to heal. He said maybe. But he really doesn't know. I used the nasal spray for about 5 years and it just seemed to not get better. If you're on a lot of antibiotics, it can create an environment for fungus. Dawn2

Penquin:
Do you mean you are allergic to mold/aspergillus or you have a nasal fungus in your sinuses? I had bloodwork just recently for about 10 different molds and most of them (scale of 1-4) I am either in the 4 or off the scale (higher - being highly allergic). Once you react to molds, you tend to react to dust, etc. I can never have a cold without a lot of problems. I sure hope you don't have nasal polyps again. Was it difficult having them removed? Do they do it with laser now? It's so hard to avoid mold. What is delayed pressure urticaria and how were you tested for it? I haven't had any taste for 3 years now and severe dryness to the point of bleeding. I do use a sinuscleanse that does help. They don't know why I don't have taste. I will be going for further testing on that evenutually. It's not a cure all, but does soothe the membranes. When will you know if you have more polyps? Best to you. Dawn2

[Penguin]

Hi Dawn,

It is good that your Drs are persuing more investigations for your sinus problems. I have had sinus problems for years, I am very sensitive to lots of things, some foods, drugs etc. I have a skin condition called delayed pressure urticaria, I have had this disorder for 7 years now. When I go to bed I itch like crazy, come up in big welts. Some days my hands or feet swell with angioedema. Mentally I cope very well but have had to go from a full time work to part time as I get very run down at times. Due to my skin conditions I guess I just put up with the sinus problems as I am on so much medication already. A few years back I used to get lots of blood noses, 1-2 per week. For the last year I have been unable to breathe through my nose and at night it is very uncomfortable, causing dental problems etc. My GP sent me to an ENT Specialist and I had a cat scan which showed a lot of irregularities. Within a week I was in hospital and polyps were found throughout my sinuses. I was only in hospital a day as the surgery is quite minor. Within two weeks I had another infection. ENT Dr suspected Aspergillus and this showed up in the samples taken during the op along with another infection called Staphlococcus Aureas (Sp?). ENT Dr tells me that if you have an allergic profile and ashtmatic chances are the aspergillus mold is a problem. There is plenty of info on this mold on the net. Do a search on **********. It is becoming more of a problem now that we live in air conditioned surroundings. Sorry that this reply is so long, but hope this information is useful to you.