Fungal sinusitis refers to a debilitating condition where you have fungus (organisms) present in the air-filled spaces of your skull. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you have four pairs of sinuses: the frontal sinus (behind your forehead), the maxillary sinus (behind your facial cheeks), the sphenoid sinus (behind your eyes) and the ethmoid sinus (between your eyes). The Merck Manual of Medicine states that these sinuses may be infiltrated with fungus balls, and you can experience sinus pain and have fluid drainage. In other instances, fungi can cause your sinuses to form polyps, and you can suffer from nasal congestion. Your fungal sinusitis may be invasive if you have a weakened immune system, and you can have pain and pus drainage from your nose. If you suffer from fungal sinusitis, there are ways to address this.
Step 1
Get surgical debridement of your infected sinuses. Debridement consists of literally scraping out the fungus using special surgical instruments. This is usually the treatment of choice for severe and recurring fungal sinusitis infections.
Step 2
Go to your family doctor and obtain a prescription for an anti-fungal medication such as itraconazole or amphotericin B. If the fungal infection is severe, recurring and has lasted more than two weeks, your doctor may admit you to the hospital and give you the anti-fungal medications intravenously. These medications will fight the fungal organism residing in your sinuses and relieve your symptoms. Take as your doctor recommends.
Step 3
Take an antibiotic medication such as amoxicillin and clauvulanate or cefuroxime. Antibiotics are usually indicated if you have the type of fungal sinusitis that leads to the formation of nasal polyps and nasal congestion.
Step 4
Reduce symptoms of your fungal sinusitis with corticosteroids such as prednisone. This can reduce the inflammation in your sinuses.
Tips and Warnings
- Surgical debridement is the treatment of choice to treat most fungal sinusitus infections. Anti-fungal medication, antibiotics and corticosteroids help treat residual symptoms.
Things You'll Need
- Anti-fungal medication
- Antibiotic medication
- Corticosteroid medication
