Facts and Myths About Mold Allergies

Sneezing? Itching? Dry Skin? Nasal discharge? Stuffy Nose? If you have any of these symptoms (among others), you may have an allergy to mold. A mold allergy is less common than you might think, given the thousands of types of mold in the environment. Out of those thousands, however, only a few dozen can cause an allergic reaction.

Mold and mildew are fungi. They differ from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The "seeds," called spores, are spread by the wind outdoors and by air indoors. Some spores are released in dry, windy weather. Others are released with the fog or dew when humidity is high. This affect can bring upon mold allergy symptoms to people.

Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Mold allergy symptoms from fungus spores are most common from mid to late summer. But with fungi growing in so many places, allergic reactions can occur year round in any part of the world.

A few years back, newspaper, magazine and television news headlines were full of frightening reports about a toxic black mold, which supposedly caused serious lung disease and caused countless homes unfit to occupy. "Black mold" is a non-medical term that usually refers to the greenish-black mold that is a result from heavy water damage. A type of mold that has not been conclusively linked to severe mold reactions. Scientists and researchers are still trying to determine the health effects of mold exposure, and if there are any more mold allergy symptoms from Black mold, but many experts believe that reactions to them have not been widespread or common enough to be a significant health problem.

People often have mold allergy symptoms if they have other members of their family who are allergic to a variety of items like pollen or animal dander; however, that is not always the case. People can become allergic to only mold or fungi and may also have allergies to dust mites and pollens, without having a family history of mold allergy symptoms.Farmers, dairymen, loggers, bakers, mill workers, winemakers and furniture repairers all work in environments where exposure to mold is a greater risk. These workers are more likely to develop and suffer mold allergy symptoms. Other occupations that have more exposure to mold are carpenters and greenhouse employees.

Some people with mold allergy may experience allergy-related asthma, which can be serious in the event of an asthma attack. Mold Allergy symptoms of asthma include: coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be controlled by medication under a physicians care. If you have asthma caused by a mold allergy, it is the best to avoid the source of the mold spores. Mold Spores are airborne seeds you can easily inhale. Totally avoiding substances as common as mold can be difficult. Fortunately, asthma and allergy medications can relieve the symptoms of mold allergy.

In order for a physician to diagnose this allergy, you must first discuss with your doctor all of your mold allergy symptoms. Your doctor will take a complete medical history and if a mold allergy is suspected, the doctor will often do a skin test and if an allergy is determined, medication will be prescribed from that point on.

Mold Allergy Remedies - Various Solutions Available For You

Many people are suffering from mold allergy. In fact, people may have their own specific reaction to hem due to its cause. Mold is an organism that grows on spoiled foods like while others would have molds inside their houses by leaving it or its part damp for some time. The problem with molds is they're unhealthy and can cause lots of allergic reactions to people. Just like reactions to pollens, common reactions include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and skin rash. Another problem with mold is they can easily spread across the house. This is why it's important to get mold allergy remedies right away to keep you from getting more serious problem from it. This way you could get relief from its symptoms.

Molds typically grow on foods like cheese and bread when they're past their expiration date. This growth is characterized by greenish to black color right on the food and can be harmful upon intake. So make sure to check your food first for its expiration date before taken. People who are allergic to this organism can cause nasal inflammation while those who have asthma may experience asthma attacks. One of the ways for you to avoid this problem is to keep your house clean to avoid growth of these organisms particularly on areas that have high chances of getting damp. Moreover, asking a physician about the possible treatment options to get is also a good practice to do especially if you've been suffering from this condition for a long time.

You'll find a lot of mold allergy remedies today like shots which will keep your body from reacting with mold exposure. Furthermore, antihistamines are also available at pharmacies so you don't have to rush to your physician just to get it treated. They can be purchased without prescription or you can ask your physician during your checkup for the best antihistamines for you. Nasal sprays which can calm down your nasal passages will be an aid you in breathing easily. If you've noticed there's a mold growth in your home, consult your physician as you won't know if it has caused you any medical issues.

Mold, Allergies and Asthma - Is Your House Making You Sick?

Mold in the home can be a trigger for those with allergies and asthma. Find out why those with mold allergies should avoid spaces with the hot-air heat, central air conditioning and wall-to-wall carpeting that can be carriers for mold.

Question:

Ever since we moved into our new house, our son has been constantly coughing. Now his doctor tells me he's asthmatic. He was fine before. Could the house be a problem?

Answer:

You don't mention whether you have a family history of allergies and asthma, and we're not physicians, so continue to discuss this situation with your doctor.

That said, indoor air quality expert, Jeff May, doesn't recommend that people with mold allergies or sensitivities live in houses with hot-air heat, central air conditioning, and wall-to-wall carpeting. If you do have this type of HVAC system, the least you should do is install a good quality electronic air cleaner to keep the air as clean as possible.

The presence of mold in your house could greatly impact your son's allergies or asthma. If your son's symptoms improve when he is out of the house for an extended period of time, such as a family vacation, we'd recommend that you have an air quality professional do some air and dust sampling for you, to see if mold is present.

If mold is found, removing the mold alone will not solve this problem. You could spend thousands on remediation and unless the source of moisture is eliminated, the problem will reoccur. Mold testing could help narrow down the cause of the mold. Hiring someone who understands buildings before you do a mold test, such as a home inspector who is trained in mold and a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), can help you find the problem and change the conditions, so the mold won't return.

Mold Allergy: Action Steps To Help With Mold Allergy Problems

Molds, also spelled, "moulds" are widespread in the natural environment and in our homes. They form a vital part of nature's plans for recycling biological matter. They are often found in high concentrations on corn and peanuts. Indeed when folks have allergic reactions to these foods it could well be that the reactions are triggered by the mold on the food and not by the corn or peanuts themselves.

Mold and mildew in the home are often found in damp places like kitchens, bathroom and basements. Other places in the home are not exempt. Carpets, mattresses and pillows are often found to have large colonies of mold.

Dealing with mold allergies has to be a balance between taking action in the home to reduce exposure and taking action to improve your health through appropriate lifestyle changes including nutrition.

3 Action Steps in the Home

Before rushing off to the allergist there are lots of practical steps you can take to make your home less welcoming to mold colonies.

• Declutter your living space. Getting rid of piles of clothing, books, newspapers or any other unused item in the home or garage reduces the number of places where mold can hang out and grow colonies. You may want to wear a dust mask or respirator when doing this.
• Cleaning time comes next. It's time to break out the bleach. A cup full of bleach in a bucket of water used to wipe down tiles, window frames and just about anywhere you can reach. The bleach will kill the mold but the surface will need to be cleaned again after wards.
• Running a dehumidifier will help to dry out the home and make it less hospitable to mold.

3 Action Steps for personal health

Before reaching for pharmaceutical medicines, many of which have unwelcome side effects why not use simple safe natural remedies? Here are 3 simple steps you can take.

• Mold can trigger allergy symptoms and asthma so you'll need to be careful to follow any treatment plan worked out for you by your health professional. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing and sinus problems and it may not be obvious that they are caused by mold.
• Natural treatments include sensible doses of vitamin C and quercetin both of which are natural anti-histamines.
• Exposure to sunshine allows the skin to make vitamin D which helps the immune system to balance and not over react to allergens such as mold. As little as 15 minutes of sunshine a day allows your skin to make healthy amounts of vitamin D and leaves you feeling warm and sunny - a boost to health all by itself.
  

While it is Impossible to Avoid Entirely, it is Possible to Live With a Mold Allergy

Everyone is familiar with some form of mold. An organism that is found nearly everywhere, not just outdoors but inside too, it is a member of the fungus family. Mold's job is to return materials like nutrients back into its surroundings via breaking down dead items. Mold is not picky about what it digests as animals, plants and maybe even some minerals are alright in its book. It spreads its tiny spores into the air and that is why a mold allergy can be very common.

There is not a cook alive who has not seen mold live in the kitchen. Whether it is bread that is just a bit too old with a few blue green spots or cheeses that are actually considered a delicacy with the same patchwork coloring, it is all just mold. One caution to remember is that this fungus can have roots and can grow inside foods yet is unseen.

Everyone experiences the fungi in their daily lives. Luckily, for most of us, we can inhale the tiny little fungus spores and not even know that we have. Those with a mold allergy have an entirely different problem when exposed to more than their fair share of the fungus. Symptoms of this allergy are common to all other allergies and include minor annoyances like runny noses, congestion and eyes that itch and water. Some sufferers may also develop rashes or hives and this may lead to more difficult problems.

While it is impossible to remove mold from daily life, those with the allergy can take some simple steps in reducing how much of the fungus they are exposed to. Naturally, all foods should be given a thorough look over for any visible signs of mold. Some foods like yeast and mushrooms are great friends to this fungus' spores.

The smell test is a big no-no for those allergic to mold. As soon as a breath is taken, if the fungus exists within the food, the spores are on a rocket into the system. The best advice is simply to throw out any foodstuffs that are subject to question.

A surprising number of unlikely foods can harbor the fungus and add annoyance to a mold allergy sufferer's life. For example, items that contain vinegar, like everybody's favorite hotdog condiment- ketchup, are more likely to have mold than some other foods. The same thing holds true for pickles and any other pickled products. Allergies to mold are not treatable with medications. However, those who are bothered by it can take common sense approaches to limiting its presence in their lives.

Mold Allergy Symptoms Are Not Always What You Might Think

A lot of people have mold fungus in in their home and they do not even know it. Worse yet, many of them have mold allergy symptoms that they do not recognize as such. It is actually very common. More houses than you would think have mold and/or fungus. However, just because it is uncommon does not mean it should go unheeded. There are certain kinds of mold which are actually toxic, such as black mold. Other types of mold are just annoying. Still, they can pose certain health risks. That alone makes it important for you to get rid of your mold as soon as you spot it.

Let us take a look at some of the health risks. Some of them are annoying. Some of them are serious. Some of them are down right dangerous. Having mold in your home can cause an excess of headaches and even rashes. More seriously, mold can lead to allergic reactions and allergies, asthma, and painful sinus infections. On the much more serious side, studies have shown that being exposed to mold can lead to pulmonary problems, fibromyalgia, and even cancer.

Naturally, the risks of these mold allergy symptoms are much higher if you have a significant amount of mold in your home. As you might expect, there are some areas of your home which are more given to mold. The basement and the attic are probably the most common, because they tend to be very moist, especially the basement. Padding and carpet pose a risk as well, especially if they are in close proximity to concrete. The areas around your showers and sinks pose a high risk too. You cannot discount the vents for your heating and air conditioning either.

The good news is that you can get rid of fungus and mold without too much hassle. You will have several options at your disposal. The first step, though, is figuring out what kind of mold is in your home. Naturally if you have toxic mold, you want to get rid of it as quickly and safely as possible. It is harder to get rid of but most types are quite simple.

You can test for mold in several ways and this is recommended before you suffer from any of the mold allergy symptoms listed above. Calling in a specialist is always an option. You can also buy a kit yourself. Testing for mold on your own is quite easy. You will be able to find these kits at a variety of local stores.

You have different options for eliminating mold as well. Again, it may be necessary to call in specialists depending on how much mold you have. You can also get rid of it yourself with the help of standard cleaners. Using bleach is probably the most common treatment.

You can also prevent mold from occurring in the first place which is a great way to insure you don't get any of these mold allergy symptoms. Keeping the at risk areas of your home dry can be enormously helpful. The more moisture you have in your home, the more likely you are to get mold.