MARCoNS in CIRS: Symptoms, testing, treatment options & why it keeps coming back

In this The CIRS Group Podcast episode, Jacie and Barbara explain MARCoNS (multiple antibiotic resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci) as a common deep nasal colonization in CIRS patients and why it’s addressed as step three in the Shoemaker Protocol (after leaving exposure and using binders). They discuss how MARCoNS may perpetuate inflammation and low MSH, what symptoms can look like, and how to test via a deep nasal swab (ordered from MicrobiologyDX). They review Shoemaker-style treatments such as EDTA with silver, BEG spray, plus alternatives like xylitol sprays, ozone, red light therapy, and propolis sprays, along with titration and irritation considerations. They also cover why MARCoNS can recur (ongoing exposure, incomplete eradication, pets, personal items), debate whether MARCoNS is cause vs result, and mention broader nasal testing (MicroGenDX Sinus Key) and evolving approaches beyond the patented Shoemaker Protocol. For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 01:31 What MARCoNS Means 02:41 Colonization vs Infection 03:30 Why you should care about MARCoNs 05:56 MARCoNs Symptoms 09:29 Timing your treatment for MARCoNs 10:41 Testing technique 14:32 How to understand your test results 15:55 Shoemaker-endorsed treatment for MARCoNs 20:37 Other options for treatment 28:58 Why do MARCoNs take hold, and why does it keep it from coming back 32:11 Do MARCoNS really matter? 34:49 Beyond MARCoNS sinus testing 36:40 The next frontier of sinus testing and treatment For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Order your own MARCoNs test: https://www.microbiologydx.com/order-collection-kits Our interview with Dr. Andrew Heyman: https://youtu.be/WwTRQTuUeC8?si=3HfIk0fE7OCCygj6 The CIRS Summit (to view Christian's talk on nasal treatments): https://cirs-summit-2025.heysummit.com/talks/how-the-latest-nasal-swab-testing-can-help-you-heal/ Order your own SinusKey test: https://patients.microgendx.com/products/sinuskey Order Jacie's book! The 30 Day Carnivore Bootcamp: https://a.co/d/7MgHrRs The CIRS Group: Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/ Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources: Jacie’s book on the Carnivore diet!  https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivory Blog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/ Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching: Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara Jacie is a Shoemaker certified Proficiency Partner, NASM certified nutrition coach, author, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a business and fitness coach, CIRS and ADHD advocate, writer, speaker, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.