Have you been dealing with persistent skin issues, sinus congestion, bloating, itching, or unexplained food reactions? You’re not alone! More and more people—especially those struggling with MCAS, histamine intolerance, mold exposure, and gut dysbiosis—are experiencing fungal overgrowth like Malassezia and Candida.
Malassezia is a genus of naturally occurring yeast that lives on the skin of humans and other warm-blooded animals. While it is a normal part of the skin's microbiome, certain conditions can cause Malassezia to proliferate excessively, leading to skin issues such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and sometimes even more severe infections in immunocompromised individuals.
Malassezia feeds on the oils present on the skin and hair, and its overgrowth can result in inflammation and irritation.
Symptoms you may also notice with fungal overgrowth:
- Dandruff
- Itchy scalp
- Flakey scalp
- Itchy skin
- Bleeding scalp
- Atopic eczema/dermatitis
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Hives
- Headaches
- Nasal/sinus congestion
- White coated tongue
It may not be all of these symptoms but even a few could point to this being an issue
The problem with a LOT of "clean beauty products":
Once I began reading the ingredients in may of my "non toxic" products, I realized a common denominator was many of these products contained ingredients that were actually feeding the fungus, making things SO much worse. These ingredients include:
❌ coconut oil
❌ jojoba oil
❌ argan oil
❌ shea butter
❌ avocado oil
just to name a few... and i'm telling you I literally had to completely swap out all of my hair, body and skin care products to really get this under control!
You can see more in depth list of ingredients at Dermazen here
Let's talk about some factors that can drive Malassezia (or really any fungal issues):
❗Mold exposure
❗Histamine intolerance
❗Certain topical oils/products (that feed or trigger fungus)
❗Humidity/heat (too hot showers, too dry/humid climate)
❗Compromised skin barrier
❗Hormonal fluctuations (PCOS, pregnancy, postpartum, hormonal imbalances)
❗Certain diets/foods (can be triggers or feed fungus)
❗Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
❗Fungal overgrowth (internal/external)
❗Heavy metals in the body
❗Immunocompromised
The problem with traditional supports:
when it comes to traditional supports for dealing with an itchy scalp or malassezia, it completely misses a few important points.
+ most topical products do not contain biofilm busters, leading to the fungus to continue flourishing
+ not addressing root causes of WHY this is occurring, especially a recurring fungal infection
+ not factoring in nutrition and how key this is
Often times traditional supports may temporarily help but eventually the infection makes its way back...
Need to start making swaps? Here is some of my favorite malassezia safe products (the list continues to be updated)
Addressing the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptoms..
The key to lasting relief isn’t just managing symptoms—it’s identifying and addressing the underlying root causes. In my practice, I work with clients to:
✨ Assess gut and immune health for hidden imbalances
✨ Create a personalized nutrition and supplement plan to rebalance the microbiome
✨ Support detox pathways for mold and mycotoxin clearance
✨ Strengthen the body’s resilience for long-term healing
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re tired of feeling stuck and ready to uncover what’s really going on, I’d love to help! Click below to start your journey toward healing.
Wishing you balance & wellness,
Amanda Bishop
