Molds live everywhere—on logs and on fallen leaves, and in moist places like bathrooms and kitchens. Some people are allergic to these molds. Mold allergies can be tough to outrun. The fungus can grow in your basement, in your bathroom, in the cabinet under your sink where a leak went undetected, in the pile of dead leaves in your backyard and in the field of uncut grass down the road.
As tiny mold spores become airborne, they can cause allergic reactions in people who have mold allergies. If you suspect you might have a mold allergy, or if you have similar symptoms that continue to persist, consult an allergist.
Allergists are specially trained to help you take control of your allergies and asthma, so you can live the life you want. They can conduct skin or blood tests that help pinpoint the allergy. Exposure to mold allergies can occur just about anywhere — in the home, outdoors or at work. Antihistamines and decongestants can help relieve the symptoms. Once you are finished, remove mold spores by rinsing your nose with a saline solution and taking a shower.
Mold Allergies Molds live everywhere—on logs and on fallen leaves, and in moist places like bathrooms and kitchens. Overview Mold allergies can be tough to outrun.
The best treatment for mold allergy is avoiding mold exposure and taking steps to reduce or eliminate mold spore growth wherever you can. Here are some suggestions. Avoid contact. Keep away from areas known to harbor mold spores. Mold that grows on houseplants can cause an allergic reaction, but this is only likely to happen if the soil is disturbed.
Reduce indoor humidity. If indoor humidity is above 50 percent, the risk of mold growth rises steeply. Hygrometers can be used to measure humidity accurately. The goal is to keep humidity below 45 percent, and preferably at about 35 percent. Use an electric dehumidifier to remove moisture from the basement. Be sure to drain the dehumidifier regularly and clean the condensation coils and collection bucket. These filters help trap spores before they reach you. Air conditioning with a HEPA filter attached works better than electrostatic air- cleaning devices and much better than freestanding air cleaners.
Devices that treat indoor air with heat, ions, or ozone are not recommended. Take medications properly. Some people find relief of allergy symptoms by using over-the-counter no prescription needed medications.
However, if these medicines fail to relieve your symptoms or cause unpleasant side effects, you should talk with your physician about prescription alternatives. For moderate and severe allergy symptoms, your physician may prescribe ongoing use of medications. The more you are able to prevent the growth and distribution of mold spores, the more likely you are to reduce your exposure to mold. There are a number of things you can do to keep mold from developing into a problem in and around your home.
Small space heaters or a low-wattage light bulb may be useful in damp closets. Be careful where you place them, though, to avoid creating a fire hazard. Cleaning curtails mold spore growth! Molds thrive on soap and other organic films that coat tiles and grout. For problem areas, use a commercial bleach solution like Tilex, which has been shown to kill molds and neutralize their allergens.
It is not a good idea to mix your own solution as bleach can trigger an asthma attack. This approach has little effect if excess moisture remains. If bedding is made with these foams, it should be covered with plastic.
Remove leaves and dead vegetation near the foundation and in the rain gutters. Completely shaded homes dry out slowly. Dense bushes and plant growth around the foundation often promote dampness.
In the winter, condensation on cold walls encourages mold spore growth. Even thick insulation can be invaded if vapor barriers in exterior walls are not effective. Many patients are treated for allergies of all kinds by a pediatrician, internist, or family physician.
However, if your allergy symptoms are not under control within months, or if you have severe persistent allergy symptoms, or if your allergy symptoms require emergency treatment, it may be time to see an allergy specialist. Those who have completed training in those specialties are usually called board-certified or board-eligible. Most health insurance plans provide some level of coverage for allergy patients. Because these spores can eventually make their way into the air, they can also make their way into your nose.
This triggers an allergic reaction. Mold spores have been linked to allergic rhinitis and asthma. Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moisture, either indoors or outdoors. While the mold spores constantly floating in the air can trigger reactions, the problem worsens when these spores attach to a wet surface and mold begins to grow.
You may have mold growing inside your house and not know it. This could be due to a number of factors, including:. Those symptoms include :. You may initially mistake your mold allergies for a cold or sinus infection , since the symptoms can mimic each other.
Symptoms of asthma include :. If your children are the only ones in the family with histamine-related allergy symptoms, it could just be that your child has a sensitivity to mold, whereas no one else in the family does. You may hear myths about the toxicity of mold. For example, some believe that inhaling mold can cause permanent damage. Furthermore, the mold often associated with asthma is generally found outdoors, not indoors. Outdoor mold only makes symptoms worse for people who already have asthma.
However, a condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been attributed to prolonged inhalation of certain types of mold. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis HP can develop over time in people who are sensitive to certain types of mold spores in the air.
This scar tissue, called fibrosis , can worsen to the point where the person begins to have trouble breathing when doing simple tasks. The key is to prevent moisture from building up by repairing any leaks.
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