10 Surprising Reasons Your Nose Is Secretly Throwing a Polyp Party

7. Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis (AFRS): When Fungi Crash the Party Hard

Imagine your immune system throwing an overly enthusiastic, inflammatory rave in response to common airborne fungi! That's essentially Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis (AFRS). In susceptible individuals, inhaled fungal spores trigger a vigorous allergic reaction within the sinuses. This leads to the production of thick, eosinophil-rich mucus (often described as 'allergic mucin' resembling peanut butter) and, frequently, extensive nasal polyp growth. AFRS is more than a simple sinus infection; it’s a specific immune hypersensitivity often requiring surgery to remove the dense mucus and polyps, followed by corticosteroids and sometimes anti-fungal therapies to keep these fungal crashers out.