Many people love mushrooms, especially sautéed with a good steak. But did you know that there are certain types of fungus that can infect the nasal passages?
The fungi we are talking about here are not the type that is used for food, but do belong to the species known as fungi, including certain types of mold. Fungi are organisms that look like plants, but unlike genuine plants, they cannot make their own food through the process of photosynthesis. These types of fungi usually live in our warm, moist nasal passages without causing any problems. However, when a body’s resistance is low, these fungi can become harmful.
Fungi generally feed on dead organic matter, which is why edible fungi are found living in tree roots and in the mulch of leaves on the forest floor. Fungi like dark, warm, and humid places, like the inside of our noses. Sometimes fungi can feed on other living organisms, such as the mucous membranes within the sinus and nasal passages. When that happens, these membranes become inflamed and can become infected.
Molds are a species of microscopic fungi related to fungi. To reproduce, they release spores that can navigate the air like pollen. Mushrooms of this type can be found throughout the year in many regions. They are affected by the weather – When it’s hot and rainy, or even hot and humid, you can expect an increase in mold growth. That’s one of the reasons it can be essential to control humidity in a home, to reduce the likelihood of mold growing on walls, especially in building materials that contain a lot of cellulose (again, it’s a by-product of wood of the kind that outdoor mushrooms like to eat).
Common types of mold found indoors include Aspergillus and its subspecies (A. Flavus, A. Versicolor); Cladosporium; Penicillium; Alternaria and the toxic “black mold”, Stachybotrys atra (S. Atra). Any of these indoor molds can be microscopic fungi that infect the sinuses. Sometimes they produce quite toxic effects for the human body. The best way to avoid such an infection is by working to prevent its growth at home and through good health habits, especially frequent hand washing and other forms of hygiene.
If you get infected, see your doctor right away. And if you suspect that fungi may have invaded your home, contact a construction specialist for testing. It is better to be safe than to have a yeast infection.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, advise, or treat any health condition. If you have or think you might have a health condition, please contact your primary care physician for diagnosis, advice, and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated claims on any product mentioned in this article.
