Why are there inflamed nasal swellings and ear plugs?

Hello doctor,

I apologize for the long message, but I am a concerned mom. I have two sons (ages 3 and 5), and both of them and I have been experiencing chronic sinus or ear issues for the past several months. Their pediatrician has referred us to ENT since she does not know what it is. Both boys (and I) have inflamed nasal swellings that block the nasal passages. We all have deviated septums.

My 3-year-old has a dog and cat allergy and is prescribed Nasocort and Zyrtec daily, which are ineffective. The 5-year-old tested negative for all allergies. We use top-line air purifiers throughout the house but are still experiencing severe symptoms. The boys had tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, and tubes last year due to scale 4 with obstructive tonsils or adenoids.

Nightly I have extracted sticky, firm clumps from behind the nasal swellings that only appear after massaging sinuses. They do not drain out on their own. Both boys ears are totally blocked. And my 5-year-old had dark brown fluid with a strong foul odor leak out of one ear the other night. Both have recently been on Azithromycin (3-day doses of 5 ml per day), but symptoms have not improved.

Not sure if any of the following are related, but all occurred around the time symptoms began. My dad was at our house with a severe bronchial and sinus-related illness and was also diagnosed with candida. We had also just been swimming in a lake. We live directly across from a large-scale construction project that produces lots of dust that began around the same time. My youngest had a recent staphylococcal infection on his arm treated topically with mupirocin.

Any clues about what this could be and if it requires more immediate action vs. waiting for the ENT appointment?

Please help.

Hi doctor,

Thank you so much. I will certainly take this advice. I know it would be unlikely, but from the photos, any chance this looks parasitic or more like fungal?