NARES and Fungal Mold Culture in Scarsdale, NY and Greenwich, CT
Chronic nasal congestion that resists antihistamines and antibiotics often has a cause that standard allergy testing cannot detect. SeeBeyond Medicine offers NARES and fungal mold culture testing at our Westchester and Fairfield County offices to identify the hidden eosinophilic or fungal driver behind persistent sinus symptoms.
When the usual treatments fail, the diagnosis is usually incomplete. SeeBeyond Medicine tests deeper.
Schedule your NARES and fungal culture test in Scarsdale or Greenwich
Credentials
Why SeeBeyond Medicine
Dr. Hyun Joon Lee founded SeeBeyond Medicine in 2006. He holds triple board certification in Family Medicine, Integrative Holistic Medicine, and Obesity Medicine.
Our team has evaluated chronic sinusitis and environmental illness for over 20 years across 20,000+ patients. SeeBeyond Medicine's root-cause approach — test, don't guess — ensures accurate diagnosis before treatment begins.
Available at our Scarsdale, NY office and Greenwich, CT office.
About This Service
What Are NARES and Fungal Mold Cultures?
NARES (non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome) is a chronic nasal condition characterized by elevated eosinophil counts in nasal secretions without positive allergy test results. It causes persistent congestion, rhinorrhea, and anosmia that mimics allergic rhinitis but requires a different treatment approach.
Fungal mold culture testing involves sampling nasal passages for fungal organisms including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Stachybotrys. These species colonize sinus cavities in patients with mold exposure or weakened immune defenses.
SeeBeyond Medicine performs both tests to differentiate allergic rhinitis, NARES, fungal sinusitis, and mixed presentations. Accurate diagnosis determines whether treatment requires antihistamines, nasal steroids, antifungals, or environmental remediation.
Conditions Treated
Non-Allergic Rhinitis with Eosinophilia (NARES)
Patients who test negative on standard allergy panels but present with chronic nasal eosinophilia require distinct treatment. SeeBeyond Medicine identifies NARES through nasal smear cytology and guides appropriate anti-inflammatory therapy.
Non-Allergic Rhinitis with Eosinophilia (NARES)
Patients who test negative on standard allergy panels but present with chronic nasal eosinophilia require distinct treatment. SeeBeyond Medicine identifies NARES through nasal smear cytology and guides appropriate anti-inflammatory therapy.
Fungal Sinusitis
Chronic sinus infections that resist antibiotic treatment may indicate fungal colonization. SeeBeyond Medicine cultures nasal specimens to identify specific fungal species and guide targeted antifungal protocols.
Mold-Related Illness
Patients with environmental mold exposure often develop nasal fungal colonization alongside systemic inflammatory symptoms. SeeBeyond Medicine pairs nasal cultures with mycotoxin urine testing for thorough mold illness evaluation.
Treatment-Resistant Chronic Congestion
Years of rotating through antihistamines, decongestants, and antibiotics without resolution often points to an undiagnosed eosinophilic or fungal cause. SeeBeyond Medicine investigates the root cause that conventional treatment has missed.
Benefits
Accurate Differential Diagnosis
Accurate Differential Diagnosis
Standard allergy panels cannot distinguish NARES from allergic rhinitis. SeeBeyond Medicine's nasal cytology and culture testing provides the diagnostic clarity needed for effective treatment selection.
Targeted Treatment Protocols
Identifying the specific cause of nasal inflammation — eosinophilic, fungal, or mixed — allows SeeBeyond Medicine to prescribe the correct therapy. No more cycling through trial-and-error antihistamine and antibiotic courses.
Full Environmental Illness Assessment
SeeBeyond Medicine integrates nasal culture results with mycotoxin testing, immune panels, and environmental exposure history. This multi-layered evaluation creates a complete picture of mold-related or environmental illness.
What to Expect
Your Journey
01.
1. Symptom and Exposure History
Your evaluation begins with a detailed history of nasal symptoms, environmental exposures, and previous treatments at SeeBeyond Medicine.
02.
2. Nasal Specimen Collection
SeeBeyond Medicine collects nasal swab specimens at our Scarsdale or Greenwich office. The procedure is minimally uncomfortable and takes less than 5 minutes.
03.
3. Laboratory Analysis
Specimens are sent for eosinophil cytology (NARES screening) and fungal culture with sensitivity testing. Cytology results typically return within days. Fungal culture results require 1 to 3 weeks depending on growth requirements.
04.
4. Treatment Protocol Design
Based on your results, SeeBeyond Medicine designs a targeted treatment plan. NARES patients receive anti-inflammatory nasal therapy. Fungal-positive patients receive species-specific antifungal protocols and environmental remediation guidance.
What Our Patients Say
Patient Experiences
Real stories from patients who found answers.
Patients at SeeBeyond Medicine who suffered years of unexplained nasal congestion frequently describe testing as the breakthrough that finally identified their root cause. Accurate diagnosis leads to targeted treatment that actually resolves symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Why do I need nasal cultures if I already had allergy testing?
Standard allergy testing identifies IgE-mediated allergies but misses NARES (which involves eosinophils, not IgE) and fungal colonization. SeeBeyond Medicine uses nasal cultures to diagnose what allergy panels cannot.
Is the nasal swab procedure uncomfortable?
The nasal swab at SeeBeyond Medicine takes seconds and causes minimal discomfort, similar to a standard nasal test. No sedation or anesthesia is required.
How is fungal sinusitis treated?
Treatment depends on the fungal species identified. SeeBeyond Medicine may prescribe oral or nasal antifungals, nasal irrigation protocols, and environmental mold remediation recommendations based on your culture results.
Can mold in my home cause chronic sinus problems?
Yes. Mold spores inhaled daily can colonize sinus cavities and trigger ongoing inflammation. SeeBeyond Medicine pairs nasal cultures with mycotoxin urine testing to determine whether your home environment is contributing.
Related Services
Related Services
- Mycotoxin Testing for urine mold toxin assessment
- SLIT Allergy Treatment for sublingual immunotherapy
- Food Sensitivity Testing for hidden inflammatory triggers
- Functional Medicine Testing for full diagnostic workup
Take the First Step
Take the Next Step Toward Clear Breathing
Even if you have been treated for allergies or sinus infections for years without lasting relief, the real cause may still be undiagnosed. SeeBeyond Medicine's NARES and fungal culture testing in Scarsdale and Greenwich identifies exactly what is driving your symptoms.