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Allergies and Asthma Can Be Caused by Yeast Infections or Fungal Infections

Updated: 3/15/2023

Medically reviewed by Dr. Vibhuti Rana, PhD. - Written by Dan Jackowiak Nc, HHP and Dr. Atmika Paudel, PhD

Dr. Vibhuti Rana, PhD says... The facts about asthmatic reactions and yeast infections mentioned in the article below are correct.


Can allergies and asthma be caused by yeast and fungi? Keep reading, the answer may surprise you!

Asthma is a disease, for which the cause is mostly “unknown”.  Some causes can be traced to airborne substances like cement dust, or inhaled chemicals that damage the lungs. Interestingly, yeast and fungi can also cause allergies and asthma.

Typically when some one suffers an asthma attack the lungs and airways become inflamed, which results in:

  • Shortness of breath





  • Wheezing or coughing
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • A feeling of pressure in the chest
  • Intolerance to dairy, especially milk

Another possible "cause" that worsens asthma is acid reflux, i.e., acid from the stomach going back up the esophagus and back down into the lungs, causing irritation and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Allergic reactions to food products are a definite reason of asthma in many people. Food allergies can cause numerous signs of respiratory discomfort including asthma, cough, nasal congestion, excess mucus production, hoarseness, postnasal drip, tonsillitis, sore throat, sneezing, and stuffy nose.


woman with allergies

Response to food allergens can be broken down into two categories: Immediate and Delayed. It is the delayed or hidden food allergens that erode away one’s health, frequently going undetected since the response is rather delayed up to 72 hours, long after the offending food(s) have been ingested. Patients experiencing delayed (IgG) food sensitivities experience a worsening of their symptoms due to environmental allergens. Thus, identifying and tackling such sensitive food products are essentially critical.

The only way to identify these food allergies is to test them or see a doctor who specializes in Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET).

In many cases the symptoms of childhood asthma fade away as an adult. This is because you become less sensitive to these allergens from their constant exposure as you grow. Though the allergy is still there, but it fails to generate major allergic responses and symptoms in you!

Airborne allergies usually cause:

  • Sneezing

  • A stuffy nose

  • Sometimes watery eyes

  • A feeling of pressure in the sinus

Typically sinus allergies are aggravated by pollen's from plants, but as you will read below, airborne fungi play a big role.


Can Yeasts Cause Allergies and Asthma?

Systemic yeast infections can cause chronic yeast allergies and asthma, creating respiratory distress, which affects over 50 million Americans yearly.




  • In the American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine 1995, Kaufman states that "fungus has the ability to colonize the lungs and induce an inflammatory reaction". Resulting in asthmatic reactions called fungal asthma.
  • Dr. C. A. Kaufman states "each year in the US the fungi Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides immitis cause more pulmonary infections than bacteria."
  • C.C. Kibbler (Principles and Practices of Clinical Mycology 1996) says these fungi "routinely infect persons with apparently normal immunity."

Dr. C. Orion Truss, a pioneer in the study of systemic yeast infections and their relation to diseases and symptoms, states in his book (The Missing Diagnosis 1983) that "once the mucous membranes become inflamed by their allergic response to yeast products, infection begins to occur with great regularity at random sites from the nose to the lungs."

Professor R.J. Hay (Fungal Infections-Manson's Tropical Diseases 1996) states that "hay fever or asthma due to molds like Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Penicillium account for up to 15% of respiratory allergies." That translates into one in six people's allergies are being caused by fungi.

In September of 1999, Science Daily reported a statement by Mayo Clinic that,  "almost all cases of sinusitis may, in fact, be caused by a fungus". They reasoned that that may be "why millions of sinus sufferers do not find relief from antibiotics and nasal spray." Now why would you want to give a sinus sufferer antibiotics if you knew the problem was caused by a fungus? The Clinic said "it will be two years before any treatments are available." We still haven't heard anything, and its years later. 

In a 2005 study that was published in Environmental Health Perspectives in October of 2005, it was found that exposure to environmental yeasts and molds within the home before the age of 3 months, resulted in an increased incidence of allergic rhinitis by 5 years of age.


Dr. Atmika Paudel says...

Yes, yeasts can cause allergies and asthma. Not only the yeasts but other fungi, including molds, are known to cause allergic reactions. Fungi are able to form spores, which can travel in the air like pollen, and once they reach inside host body, they germinate, leading to inflammation and allergic reactions.

In addition to the spores, the vegetative cells, as well as fungal metabolites, can cause allergies. The allergic reactions can be in the form of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, sinusitis, asthma, and/or bronchopulmonary mycoses.

More than 80 genera of fungus are known to cause fungal allergies associated with the respiratory tract (1) Among patients with asthma, 29% also showed sensitization to fungal allergens, the most common fungi being Candida, Aspergillus, and Trichophyton, and a direct correlation between the onset of disease and fungal sensitization was observed (2).

  1. Kurup et al., Respiratory fungal allergy. Microbes and Infection, 2000, 2(9): 1101-1110. 
  2. Masaki et al., Characterization of severe asthma with fungal sensitization. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 2017, 119(3): 253-257. 

What Causes These Infections?

Usually, these types of infections are caused by airborne mold or yeast spores. Aspergillus, for instance, is found abundantly in nature and all it takes is a good wind for it to become airborne. One ends up breathing the spores and suffers from an allergic reaction to this fungus as a result of respiratory inflammation.

Water seepage in homes can lead to mold growth and as these areas dry out, spores can easily become airborne. I have personally seen mold growing inside Air Conditioning units in Las Vegas with the fan blowing spores into the home.

There are also cases of systemic yeast infections being caused by airborne yeast spores from yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii, the commercial name for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The spores become airborne if the supplement is in a powdered form.


Dr. Atmika Paudel says...

As mentioned in the first part, the leading cause of fungal allergy is the fungal spore. The fungal spores can remain in the environment for many years and can be transported over thousands of kilometers. The fungi can grow on virtually any substrate, glass or plastic surfaces, all they need is oxygen, water, and carbohydrate source. Therefore, the humidity, temperature, ventilation, presence of plants, pets, carpets, and biodegradable material determine fungal growth inside the house. Not only do the fungi cause allergic reactions, but they also produce mycotoxins, which deteriorate our immune system and make us more prone to severe clinical manifestations (1).

Prolonged exposure to fungal spores, cells, and metabolites causes chronic clinical conditions. It deteriorates our immune system to such a level that our body is fragile to fight against any invading pathogen. Apart from this, the many commensal microorganisms residing inside our body, which cannot breach a healthy immune system, will have an opportunity to multiply and infect in the environment of weakened immunity.

  1. Bush et al., The medical effects of mold exposure. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006; 117: 326–333. 


Allergies and Asthma Conclusion

If you have ever had any sort of water damage in your home you can call a water damage remediation specialist such as ServPro. They can test the air in your home for airborne fungal spores and if any are found, can clean up the sites in your home that had the water damage. After repairs are complete, they will retest the air to make sure the source of the spores are gone.

An ENT could determine if your allergies or asthma is being caused by molds or yeasts by running tests on the mucous found in your sinus. Or you could consult with your doctor.


Medical Review by Dr. Vibhuti Rana, PhD

There is a deep correlation between the onset of asthmatic attacks and occurrence of yeast infections. A case study on a young woman with a history of asthma, depression, vaginal, and intestinal yeast infections demonstrated that the symptoms of asthma reduced drastically when she was treated for her yeast infections (1). In early 20th century in Germany, Hansen found that 15% of his asthmatic patients tested positive for Aspergillus or Penicillium and that an inhalation challenge reproduced the asthmatic symptoms (2).

In a comprehensive study by Denning et al., it has been emphasized that severity of asthma, bronchiectasis, and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is driven by the extent of fungal exposure (3). Based on a review published in 2011, there exists overwhelming evidence suggesting the presence of fungal sensitizations in asthma affected patients, especially those caused by Aspergillus spp. (4). In 2002, a multicentre epidemiological survey in 30 European heath centers also confirmed that sensitization to molds like Alternaria alternata or Cladosporium herbarum, is a strong risk factor for severe exacerbations of asthma in young adults (5).

1.  Truss C. O. The Missing Diagnosis, Truss; First Edition (1983); ASIN: B000S6NK62
2. Hansen K. Uber schimmelpilz-asthma. Verhandl Deutsch Gesellsch Inn Med 1928; 40:20.
3. Denning DW, Pashley C, Hartl D, et al. Fungal allergy in asthma-state of the art and research needs. Clin Transl Allergy. 2014; 4:14. Published 2014 Apr 15. doi:10.1186/2045-7022-4-14
4. Agarwal R, Gupta D. Severe asthma and fungi: current evidence. Med Mycol. 2011 Apr; 49 Suppl 1:S150-7. doi: 10.3109/13693786.2010.504752. Epub 2010 Jul 22.
5. Mahmoud Z, Catherine N,  Bénédicte L,  Renata L,  Jean B,  Françoise N et al. Sensitisation to airborne moulds and severity of asthma: cross sectional study from European Community respiratory health survey BMJ 2002; 325 :411doi:


Allergies and Asthma Testimonials

Thanks so much Dan!! I really appreciate your quick response.  I’ve ordered the Colosan and am increasing the Biofase + Profase combo today.  

By the way - can’t leave without sharing another compliment. ;).  Protocol has completely improved my husbands allergies / digestion and sleep issues.  His quote “I haven’t felt this good with clear sinuses in 10+ years!”  He sends much gratitude.

Happy holidays! This is our best gift.  Many blessings to you and yours.

Warm Regards,
Tamie


Systemic Yeast Infections, Allergies and Asthma Home Click Here

If you have any questions about yeast allergies, asthma, or yeast infection in general, you can contact us by using the form on the contact page or talk to your doctor.




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