Say you're in the woods on a hike and you find a piece of interesting wood. As you lean down to inspect it closer, a blast of wind kicks dirt up your nose. You might think this is harmless, but sometimes getting a face full of soil can have consequences. Such is the case with blastomycosis. It occurs in one or two out of every 100,000 people. Cases of blastomycosis are primarily found in the Midwest and south central regions of the United States.
Causes
Blastomycosis is caused by a fungus called blastomyces dermatitidis that lives in dirt. When inhaled, the fungus gets in the lungs and can cause all kinds of problems. People with blastomycosis are highly susceptible to lung infection, which at first may not even be noticeable. But as the infection spreads, it can cause skin and bone lesions and may affect kidney function, the bladder, the prostate gland and the testes.
Risk Factors
There are a few factors that might make you a higher risk for blastomycosis. One of these is location. The fungus is found in the Midwest, south central United States and parts of Canada. The risk is greater for people living in those areas who work around infected soil. The infection is more common in men and more likely to set in on those whose immune system is weak, particularly people with HIV and those who have had an organ transplant.
Treatment
If the disease stays in the lungs and doesn't spread, chances are no treatment will be required. If the lung infection becomes severe or starts to spread to other organs, anti-fungal medication can be used to treat it. Fluconazole, Itraconazole and Ketoconazole, the most commonly prescribed medications for blastomycosis, should control the spreading of the disease. Regular checks are advised to ensure the infection doesn't return.
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