Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria. Flushing to remove the dead bacteria after treatment should control the odor problem.

Phantosmia can develop after a respiratory infection or a head injury. Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, brain tumors, or inflamed sinuses may also trigger phantom smells in your nose. For some people, phantosmia resolves on its own.

An olfactory hallucination (phantosmia) makes you detect smells that aren’t really present in your environment. The odors detected in phantosmia vary from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. They can occur in one or both nostrils. The phantom smell may seem to always be present or it may come and go.

It’s also called olfactory hallucination. The smells may always be present, or may come and go. They may be temporary or last for a long time. Smelling smoky or burning smells — including burnt toast — is a common type of phantosmia.

Symptoms of fungal sinusitis are similar to other forms of sinusitis, including: Nasal congestion. Facial pain/pressure. Loss of smell or foul odor in the nose.

Black nasal mucus may be a sign of a serious fungal infection. While not common, people with compromised immune systems may be susceptible to this type of illness. There are four types of fungal infections of the sinuses: Mycetoma fungal sinusitis.

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is characterized by it the sinus secretions, which have a characteristic golden-yellow color and have a consistency like rubber cement. These secretions contain proteins from degranulated eosinophils (a type of inflammatory cell) plus some fungal elements.

The only way to make a diagnosis of a fungal infection is by doing a C-T scan of the sinuses or doing a direct culture, performed by an Ear Nose and Throat doctor (ENT). A fungal infection is difficult to treat and may take a long time to resolve.

What Happens if Sinusitis Isn’t Treated? You’ll have pain and discomfort until it starts to clear up. In rare cases, untreated sinusitis can lead to meningitis, a brain abscess, or an infection of the bone. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.

The nasal and sinus lining develops severe swelling. This causes a blockage of the sinus outflow tracts, trapping some mold to grow and accumulate inside the sinuses. Associated pooling of sinus secretions creates a secondary bacterial infection in most cases as well.

While fungus can cause sinus infections, most people with a healthy immune system will get better without treatment.

People with invasive fungal sinusitis usually are very ill, and may have some of the following symptoms:

• Fever.
• Facial pain or numbness.
• Facial swelling.
• Cough.
• Nasal discharge.
• Headache.
• Mental status changes.
• Dark ulcers within the nasal canal or on the roof of the mouth.

Even your doctor can’t tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam. Instead, your doctor looks at symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days.

Fungal Sinusitis – Treatment The noninvasive nature of this disorder requires removal of the fungus ball through endoscopic sinus surgery (minimally invasive surgery). An anti-fungal therapy is generally not prescribed. Most patients have excellent results from surgery, and may not require any further treatment.

When there is excessive pain in your eyes, ears, head or throat, you likely have a severe sinus infection. And if you can’t open your eyes or you feel dizzy, these are major warning signs that your sinusitis is at a dangerous level.

Saline irrigations and anti-inflammatory medications are the mainstays of treatment for these patients. Endoscopic sinus surgery may be needed to rid the sinuses of nasal polyps and fungal material. The majority of patients report relief from surgery although for most the symptoms will return in some form.

Use a saline nasal spray, neti pot, or saline squeeze bottle to help flush out the sinuses several times a day. Apply a warm, moist washcloth or compress over your nose and forehead to relieve sinus pressure. Use a humidifier. Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or while in the shower.

Candida fungal infections have been linked to a high percentage of sinus infections. Symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of smell, and headaches. Short-term sinus infections are typically bacteria, but the longer-term, more chronic sinus infections are typically fungal.

Inform patients that treatment with Flonase Nasal Spray may lead to adverse reactions, which include epistaxis and nasal ulceration. Candida infection may also occur with treatment with Flonase Nasal Spray.

Nosebleeds, nasal ulceration, headache, sore throat, nausea, cough and nasal burning or itching. Also occasionally more serious nasal effects may occur and use of Flonase may delay wound healing. Do not use Flonase if you have recently had nasal surgery or nasal trauma.