Mold Allergies

Wherever you live, work or play you are exposed on a regular basis to mold allergies. Mold is prevalent in the air we breathe every day inside and outside our home. Some people are not affected by mold or do not exhibit any symptoms and may never have any reaction to exposure to mold. Others might not be affected until the mold spore levels become more concentrated when there is a mold buildup.

Allergic reactions are produced when a foreign substance enters the body and our immune system is turned on. However, not everyone has an allergic reaction to mold or to anything else. Allergic reactions though are quite common and symptoms as well as which allergens produce a reaction differ with each individual. This immune response or reaction to foreign substances occurs in people that are more sensitive to certain allergens with reactions occurring in the nose, lungs, eyes, stomach or skin. If there is a high level of exposure to an allergen it is more likely that it will develop into an allergy.

The most common allergic reactions to mold are sneezing, running noses, watery eyes or headaches. More severe allergic reactions can occur if the mold is toxic and are exhibited by nausea, diarrhea or vomiting or difficulty in breathing. If the mold is extremely toxic it can lead to pulmonary hemorrhage or even death.

Most of the mold allergies are caused by what are called dry spore molds that occur when it is windy and dry, but others can be released when it is foggy or there is lots of moisture in the air from dew on the grass and humidity in the air. Generally the dry spore molds occur during the day while the moist ones occur at night.

Some molds or fungi can also accumulate in the lungs and airways causing a growth called a fungus ball which can lead to asthma or other allergic bronchial or pulmonary conditions. The symptoms for this could include coughing up blood, a fever and wheezing. Some people can develop mold allergies by eating certain foods that are processed with fungi including cheese, mushrooms, dried fruit, soy sauce, vinegar or foods that contain yeast.

Molds can be found attached to grains like wheat, corn or barley likely places for molds to grow. Other places include garbage pails, foam rubber pillows, mattresses or upholstered furniture and house plants.  Businesses where people work in higher probabilities of mold include carpentry, furniture repair, bakeries or mills. Those workers are subject to higher mold work environments than most.

Treatment for mold allergies includes antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids or decongestants and prescription drugs include a nasal spray or a tablet that treats allergic asthma also works for mold allergies. Other solutions may include immunotherapy which is a series of allergy shots but they are not usually as effective against mold allergies. Rinsing your nose with a salt water solution can be helpful with congestion. The best course of action is to reduce the mold in your environment by sleeping with the windows closed at night, wearing a mask when raking leaves or mowing the lawn and avoiding damp or wet weather.