Is Fungus Fueling Your Eczema?

By Diane Angela Fong. ND & Tori Taggart, MS, CNS, LDN

When it comes to eczema, we often think only of what’s happening on the surface: dry skin, rashes, and lots and lots of itching. But eczema is more than a skin-deep condition. It's a signal. A red flag from your body that something deeper may be out of balance.

Emerging research and clinical observations suggest a surprising, often-overlooked contributor: fungal overgrowth. Whether on the skin, in the gut, or even in your environment, yeasts and molds may be keeping eczema stuck in a frustrating cycle of flare-ups.

If conventional treatments haven’t worked for you, understanding how these fungal layers interact might provide the missing piece of the puzzle.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• Yeast on the skin such as Malassezia

• How gut yeast influences inflammation and immunity

• The impact of mold exposure from the environment

• How to test for fungal issues

• Some basic anti-fungal nutrition to get started on

Fungus on Your Skin: Disrupting Your Skin Ecosystem

Eczema is often labeled a skin condition, but the skin is more than a passive barrier—it’s an immune organ. Just like your gut, your skin is home to a diverse microbiome made up of bacteria, fungi, and yeast. When this microbial balance is disturbed, inflammation can follow.

One of the key players in eczema-prone skin is a yeast called Malassezia. This organism lives naturally on the skin, but in those with compromised skin barriers (as is common in eczema), it can overgrow and become problematic. This overgrowth can trigger immune reactions, increase inflammation, and further weaken the skin barrier.

Certain signs suggest Malassezia may be playing a role in eczema flares:

• Itchy, flaky patches on the scalp, face, chest, or back

• Eczema that gets worse with oil-based products

• Oozing or shiny lesions, especially on the scalp

This yeast thrives on lipids (fats), so rich moisturizers or oil-based skincare may unintentionally feed its growth. If your skin worsens after using oils, Malassezia could be involved.

Yeast in the Gut: An Internal Driver of Inflammation

While skin symptoms may be visible, internal imbalances can be silently fueling them, particularly in the gut. One of the most common fungal organisms in the digestive tract is Candida albicans. It’s usually harmless in small amounts, but under certain conditions, such as stress, antibiotics, or a high-sugar diet, it can multiply and disrupt the intestinal barrier. This condition, sometimes referred to as intestinal permeability or “leaky gut,” allows Candida toxins and fragments to escape into the bloodstream. The immune system reacts to these intruders, triggering widespread inflammation that may show up on the skin as eczema.

Symptoms that may indicate Candida overgrowth include:

• Gas, bloating, or irregular digestion

• Sugar cravings

• Brain fog or fatigue

• Skin rashes or recurring flares

• A history of frequent antibiotic or steroid use

It’s also worth noting that skin and gut fungal overgrowths can exist together, compounding the problem. An imbalanced gut microbiome can weaken immune function, making the skin more reactive and susceptible to flares.

Mold in Your Environment: An Invisible Agitator

In addition to skin and gut influences, your surroundings may also be affecting your eczema. Mold is a type of fungus that can grow in damp environments, think basements, HVAC systems, bathrooms, or anywhere water damage has occurred.

Even when mold isn’t visible, it can release spores, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and mycotoxins, which may disrupt immune function and increase inflammation. Not every type of mold will affect every person in the same way.  There can be a genetic component to mold sensitivity along with the potential for mold allergies.   In mold-sensitive individuals, this exposure can drive up chronic inflammation, can dysregulate the immune system and increase skin flare ups.   In addition, some mold species produce toxins that are highly toxic and can be problematic for anyone (such as black mold). 

Some signs mold may be part of your picture:

• Eczema or respiratory symptoms that worsen at home

• Fatigue, sinus congestion, or headaches

• History of water damage or musty odors in your living space

While not every person exposed to mold will react the same way, mold exposure can contribute to immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation, both of which can fuel eczema in sensitive individuals.  Living in a moldy environment can also make healing from eczema very difficult!

How These Layers Connect

Rather than viewing each of these fungal factors in isolation, it’s more helpful to see them as overlapping layers of stress on the immune system. Here’s how they may interact:

• The skin barrier is compromised in eczema, allowing surface yeasts like Malassezia to overgrow.

• Internally, gut fungal overgrowth—particularly Candida—can leak inflammatory compounds into the bloodstream, further sensitizing the immune system.  Factors impacting this include diet, stress, poor microbiome health.

• Meanwhile, environmental mold exposure can tip the immune system into a chronic state of hyper-reactivity, making it harder for the body to restore balance.

For some people, one of these layers may be dominant. For others, all three may be interacting simultaneously. If a person has mainly a skin fungal overgrowth but then moves into a home that has mold, this can be the tipping point for eczema that then becomes a much more severe issue.  

How to Test for Yeast and Mold

Testing can help identify which fungal triggers are contributing to your eczema. Here's a breakdown of the most common and informative testing options:

Gut Testing (generally best for yeast/fungus in the gut) 

Stool Analysis (e.g., GI-MAP, CDSA 2.0)

• Detects fungal DNA (e.g., Candida)

• Assesses gut microbiome balance and inflammation

• May not always capture fungal overgrowth due to intermittent shedding

• Can find gut fungal infections but can also miss them. If yeast is found on a gut test, usually the infection is prevalent. 

Organic Acids Test (OAT)

• A urine test that measures byproducts of Candida and other microbes

• Useful for detecting overgrowth missed by stool tests

• Also reveals detox and mitochondrial function

Serum Antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM to Candida)

• May suggest recent or chronic exposure

• Can be helpful when stool and urine tests are inconclusive or to see how the immune system is responding to exposures. 

Mold and Mycotoxin Testing

(testing to know if toxins from mold are a part of the fungal picture)

Urine Mycotoxin Testing

• Detects mycotoxins like gliotoxin, linked to Candida biofilms and mold exposure

• Reflects systemic burden but may not pinpoint the source

• Can point to which types of mycotoxins are most prevalent (foods or environmental sources). 

• Types of mycotoxins can help us to understand the types of molds especially if there is a known exposure - in the home for example. 

Environmental Testing (ERMI, Immunolytics, Mycometrics)

• Analyzes home dust or air for mold spores

• Helpful for identifying mold-related triggers, especially in water-damaged buildings
  

Professional Mold Inspection

• Recommended if mold is visible or suspected

• Inspections should include air sampling and moisture detection

Skin Fungal Testing (external/topical testing for skin yeast such as malassezia) 

Skin Scraping + Microscopy (KOH prep)

• Can reveal fungal presence like Malassezia

• Commonly used for seborrheic dermatitis and other fungal conditions

Tape Tests or Wood’s Lamp

• Non-invasive ways to screen for surface yeasts

• May be helpful for guiding treatment, even if not diagnostic

Often, clinical signs and symptoms are more telling than tests alone. If your eczema worsens with oils, appears in oily areas, is found in certain areas of the body, or  coexists with gut symptoms or mold exposure, fungal involvement is likely. We at Cleanbody can help you distinguish this possibility. 

The Role of Nutrition

Fungi and yeasts thrive on sugar and certain carbohydrates, particularly in a dysbiotic gut microbiome. Adjusting nutrition to reduce fungal load, even temporarily, can help break the cycle.

Foods That May Feed Fungal Overgrowth:

• Refined sugar and sweets, highly processed foods.

• White bread and pasta

• Alcohol (especially beer and wine)

• Fermented carbs like yeasty breads or kombucha 

• Mold-prone foods like peanuts, blue cheese, and aged meats

• Fruit juices or dried fruit 

• Any sweetener including natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey 

Anti-Fungal Supportive Foods:

• Non-starchy vegetables (zucchini, spinach, kale)

• Clean proteins (chicken, eggs, fish)

• Healthy fats (coconut oil, olive oil, avocado)

• Antifungal herbs (garlic, oregano, turmeric)

• Low-glycemic fruits (green apple, berries)

The amount of dietary eliminations and the length of time can depend on the severity of the skin and the severity of yeast/fungal load.  Generally, at least 3-4 weeks of anti-fungal nutrition is recommended to avoid foods that feed that fungal overgrowth while also treating the chronic infection.  Sometimes these dietary changes can be longer but we do not want these as a long term solution.  The long term goal is to reduce the fungal load and be able to bring back foods into the diet to create more nutrient diversity and less restriction. 

What We’re Still Learning

• Not all eczema is fungal-related, and not all fungal overgrowths are easily detectable.

• Mold toxicity, though increasingly recognized, is still debated in conventional medicine.

• Overuse of antifungal treatments, especially without testing, can disrupt the microbiome and harm the healthy balance of bacteria in the gut so it is important to test but also have your symptoms evaluated by a practitioner.

• Responses are highly individual, and trial-and-error can still be part of the journey especially when treating fungal infections.  Moving slowly and observing responses is a part of the journey. 

Final Thoughts

Eczema is a complex condition and it's not just about the skin. When we look deeper, we often find imbalances in the gut, immune system, and even the environment.

If you’ve exhausted conventional options and still feel like something’s being missed, it may be time to explore the skin-gut-fungal connection.  Healing is often about layering: supporting the skin, investigating the gut and assessing the environment. While not every case of eczema involves yeast or mold, for many people, these fungal layers are the missing piece.

That’s why the next step is an Eczema Evaluation. In just 25 minutes, the Cleanbody team will review your results, history, and symptoms to help uncover whether yeast is a potential root cause for your eczema. Interested in learning more or working with us 1 on 1?  If you're interested in exploring personalized strategies to reclaim healthy skin, we're here to help. Learn more about working with us! Use the code BLOG10 to get 10% off your Eczema Evaluation.

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About the Authors:

Tori Taggart, MS, CNS, LDN is a Cleanbody Practitioner specializing in meeting people in their health journeys by digging into the root causes of various chronic diseases and conditions. Through the use of healthy food along with aspects of the natural world around us (sunshine, nature, clean water, stress management, relationships, etc), she helps to empower her clients to take charge of their own health and trust their bodies to thrive and heal.

Dr. Diane Angela Fong, ND, is the CEO and founder of Cleanbody, a wellness company dedicated to treating and preventing chronic disease. She is the creator of the Cleanbody Method, which follows a three-step process: Evaluate (digging into the root causes of chronic disease using lab testing and other evaluation tools), Optimize (enhancing health foundations by addressing nutrition, lifestyle, and toxic exposures), and Support (optimizing organ functions through healing protocols).

References

• Leung DYM et al. Atopic dermatitis and skin microbiome interactions. J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2022)

• Haines SL et al. Cutaneous fungal infections in eczema: Diagnosis and treatment considerations. Clin Dermatol. (2023)

• Bunyavanich S et al. The microbiome and atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2021)

• Tobi E et al. Association between Dupilumab use and CTCL incidence. JAMA Dermatology. (2025)

• CDC & EPA Guidelines on mold exposure in indoor environments

• Leung DYM et al. Atopic dermatitis and skin microbiome interactions. J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2022)

• Haines SL et al. Cutaneous fungal infections in eczema: Diagnosis and treatment considerations. Clin Dermatol. (2023)

• Bunyavanich S et al. The microbiome and atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2021)

• Tobi E et al. Association between Dupilumab use and CTCL incidence. JAMA Dermatology. (2025)

• CDC & EPA Guidelines on mold exposure in indoor environments

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.