Overview, symptoms, causes, and treatment of mold allergy

Allergies occur due to several reasons – across several seasons, lack of immunity power in the human body system and much more. Allergies are categorized according to whether one is allergic to the spores of other fungi or mold.

Molds are spread out everywhere, and eliminating mold can release the spores into the atmosphere. Breathing in the spores generates reactions of allergic. the mold allergy symptoms and reaction occur only to few and not everyone gets allergic reactions. There are several kinds of molds. Some molds develop on decaying logs or fallen leaves or in compost piles or grasses.

Just like pollen, molds don’t get killed with the first attempt at destroying treatment. It is mostly in the winter season that molds go inactive. During spring they are mostly seen on plants destroyed by the cold. Fungi, especially indoors, develop in the damp areas, such as the washroom, basement or kitchen.

Main symptoms of mold allergy

Mold allergy symptoms are mostly likely the same of other allergies, which probably starts with itching sneezing, running nose, scaling skin, congestion and dry skin.

Outdoor molds cause allergy mostly during the summer or fall (change in climates), whereas indoor molds could cause allergy year around with almost the same exact symptoms.

In rare cases, mold spore could change tracks to get inside one’s nose and flag off symptoms of hay fever. Changes are also there when one begins having congestion in the lungs, irritated eyes, wheezing, itchy throat or trigger asthma. So, there are reasons that mold allergy symptoms can be both noticed immediately or delayed. People with low immunity power can go worse (nasal congestion or asthma later) when one spends more time in a moldy room or damp area such as a basement. Some inmates over a period of time fall into serious illness and catch hold of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. It is a condition where there are both inflammatory and allergic reactions to the mold infection. Symptoms of mold allergy include shortness of breath, asthma, severe wheezing, chest tightness and coughing.

Mold allergy causes not just through seasons, but there are many other factors such as food fungi where foods like dried fruit, mushrooms, or products that contain vinegar, yeast or soya sauce cause food fungi reactions directly on to the blood vessels, and not just external on the nose, lungs or eyes.

Foods such as histamines can cause allergic-like responses when consumed regularly, mostly fermented foods produce this substance. Wine also naturally carries histamine.

What are the risk factors?

There are numerous factors that can develop mold allergy or aggravate the existence of mold allergy symptoms. These include:

• A family history of allergies, like common allergies or asthma, are can pass on to the generations in the family and develop a mold allergy.
• The work environment can expose to mold, creation occupations like dairy work, family, logging, millwork, baking, carpentry, greenhouse work, furniture repair and winemaking are exposed to have high on an accumulation of mold.

Diagnose mold allergy

To diagnose mold or fungi allergies, doctors prefer to understand the whole medical history before suspecting mold allergy. In the usual cases the doctors prefer to do a skin test or IgE blood tests that are allergen-specific. A doctor can completely diagnose and prescribe treatment for the sufferer, if he or she is victim of mold allergy only after knowing the patient’s health history, skin test results and physical exams.

There is no complete cure for mold allergies, and one can prevent having allergic symptoms due to mold allergy to some extent by avoiding direct contact with mold spores. Avoid outdoor activities during the mold counts are high. This will lessen the mold inhalation. Take precautions when you’re out to cut grass, nourish plants, picking up leaves or other plant-related work by wearing a dust mask.

How to reduce “indoor” exposure to mold?

• Using a central air conditioner with an HEPA filter connected help in trapping mold spores throughout the space. Freestanding air purifiers filter only air in a limited area.
• Reduce the indoor humidity. If excess moisture remains the same in the air, then no air purifier is of any use. Fungi increase rapidly if the humidity is more than 50%. A hygrometer can assistant in measuring the humidity. The best is to control between below 35% to a maximum of 45%.
• If you are using a humidifier, it is important to keep the fluid reservoir clean (must be cleaned twice a week) to prevent mold growth, since air conditioners and dehumidifiers are also one of the sources of mold.
• The best ways to prevent mold and mildew indoor is only by paying attention to spaces with humidity and moisture which include washrooms, basements, rooms with lesser ventilation and laundry areas.

Simple tips to prevent mold and mildew at home:

• Enhance easy air flow through rooms.
• Prefer to use exhaust fans.
• Install central air conditioner or dehumidifier.
• Monitor if any leaks (tubs/sinks etc).
• Say no to dampness to rooms.
• Rainwater drains should be connected away from home.
• Monitor humidity moisture.
• Regular clean of garbage trash and refrigerator drip pan.