How to Prevent Mold Allergy at Home

Common allergens like house dust and pet hair are often overlooked. But they can do more harm in long term than any other disease. House dust has a number of ingredients: tiny fibers from furniture, animal dander, microscopic bits of human skin, food remnants, detergent fragments, and more. house-dust mites, insects too small to be seen by the naked eye, ticks, spiders etc have been the point of research for a lot of allergists. They can live almost anywhere in the house and are found in greatest numbers in beds, furniture, and rugs. Another common allergen is mold spores, especially that of black mold.

Fragments of the mites themselves can be allergens, as can substances found in their droppings. A thorough housecleaning to reduce the amount of dust and the number of mites is essential for anyone with house-dust allergy. Doctors will suspect house-dust allergy if the patient suffers year round symptoms that flare up during spring cleaning or at other times when the amount of dust in the air is increased.

How to prevent mold allergies at home:

1. Regular cleaning for household items: Start with mattresses, box springs, and pillows, which should then be put in dust-proof covers. Mattress should be removed from the bedroom of the allergy sufferer. Floors (and the rest of the room) should be cleaned at least once a week.

2. Keeping the dampness controlled reduces black mold formation: Humidity should be kept low, because house mites grow only when the humidity is more than 20%. packed and ornate furniture should be kept out of the allergic person's room because it traps so much dust. Pets, furs, stuffed animals, and other potential sources of allergens should also be banished from the person's room.

3. Eradicate the molds: Cleaning the house to get rid of molds requires other steps. molds grow readily in the warm, damp atmosphere of bathrooms; these should be kept well ventilated and cleaned thoroughly, with a fungicide if necessary. Damp basements can also be breeding grounds for molds; a dehumidifier can reduce their growth.

4. Clean those bed and pillow covers: Pillows are another potential source, they develop molds with time and usage and hence should be replaced every year or two. You should consider switching to anti allergen pillow covers or bed covers. They provide good protection against molds and other micro allergens. You should also use anti allergen detergents to sanitize the upholstery at home.

5. Clean the AC filters: Air conditioners can have both good and bad effects on allergy patients. If air conditioner filters are not cleaned or replaced regularly, they can collect molds and pollens. But if air conditioners are kept in the recirculating mode so they do not draw in air from outside and if their filters are kept clean, they can reduce the amount of allergens in the air appreciably. If you have allergies to mold, you should make it a point to clean the air conditioner filters frequently.

6. Using Air filters: Electronic air-filtering machines are even more effective. These sophisticated services, based on space-program technology, can remove as much as 99% of airborne pollutants. The most effective are so-called HEPA, or high-energy particulate-arresting, filters. These tend to be expensive, costing about as much as an air conditioner. Some machines combine HEPA and charcoal filters for even greater efficiency.

Dealing With A Mold Allergy

Mold allergy is not nearly as common as you might have thought considering there are thousands of different molds. But out of those thousands about a dozen can cause an allergic reaction.

Molds and fungi grow in all kinds of environments and they really do nicely inside. Outside molds don’t really have a season that causes trouble. If you have asthma that is a result of a mold allergy the best thing you can do it so avoid the mold spores. Of course completely avoiding them is pretty difficult, especially air borne molds. Thankfully there are asthma medications that work well.

Wondering what the symptoms are for a mold allergy? They are the same as any other respiratory allergy. Sneezing, cough, runny or stuffy nose, postnasal drip, watery eyes, itchy eyes, itchy nose and throat, sinusitis, and skin rash and for some it causes asthma which has shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.

A mold allergy is caused when you come into contact with the mold spores and your body thinks they are a foreign invader so it develops an antibody to fight it. Even after the exposure is over you body will continue to produce antibodies so they will remember this invader the next time contact occurs. The reaction causes your body to release histamines which are what cause your eyes to water and your nose to run.

Toxic black mold is the mold allergy that made the news awhile back because it caused serious lung disease and caused hundreds of homes to be condemned as unfit to live in. Black mold is not a medical term but rather the slang it was dubbed at the time. This greenish black mold develops after serious water damage has occurred and although it has been directly linked to severe mold allergy the scientists still haven’t been able to determine why.

The treatment for a mold allergy is the same as with any other allergy. There are several different types of medications both over the counter, prescription, and natural supplements that can help.

For an asthma type mold allergy inhaled corticosteroids can be used if you have symptoms more than twice a week your doctor will likely put you on a corticosteroid medication.

For some the mold allergy results in an instant asthma attach when exposed. Bronchodilators are quick to act bring relief from asthma attack symptoms almost instantly.

Antihistamines are used when the immune system over reacts to the mold allergy producing histamines. Histamines cause watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and other symptoms. Claritin and Allegra are two common antihistamines that are used.

When a mold allergy causes mucus and sinus problems then using a decongestant can bring relief from those symptoms. Common decongestions include Claritin-D and Allegra-D with the D standing for decongestion. Often an antihistamine and decongestion are combined to get the best relief.

There are also nasal sprays, immunotherapy which is a series of shots, and natural supplements that can help boost the immune system and bring your body into balance. Some can even relieve your histamine symptoms.

If you have a mold allergy it is important to deal with the mold itself whenever possible and then choose the correct treatment for your situation. It always pays to try natural options first before restoring to chemical solutions.

Skin Allergies Causes, Symptoms And Treatments For Skin Allergies

Skin Allergies

Red, bumpy, scaly, itchy, swollen skin....any of these symptoms can signify an allergic skin condition.These skin problems can be caused by a range of different things: animals, plants, medicines, foods, jewelery or even your clothes.Generally these attacks that are brought on by the unfortunate intersection of allergies and skin rashes fall into one of two categories: dermal allergies and systemic allergies that present as skin rashes.

What are the most common allergens?
Pollen from trees, grass and weeds. aAlergies that occur in the spring (late April and May) are often due to tree pollen. Mold is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, window moldings and damp basements.

Causes Skin Allergies
Dust mites, cockroaches, molds and animal dander, are examples of year-around allergens.

Tree, grass and ragweed pollens are primarily seasonal outdoor allergens. Seasonal pollens depend on wind for cross-pollination. Plants that depend on insect pollination, such as goldenrod and dandelions, do not usually cause allergic rhinitis.

Allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, which leads to a misdirected immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. It reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause a problem.

Grass and tree pollens
Dust mites (living in and feeding on house dust)
Food (cow's milk, hen eggs, wheat, soya, seafood, fruit and nuts)
Fungal or mould spores (in the bathroom and other damp areas)
Poison ivy is the classic example of acute ACD in North America. ACD from poison ivy is characterized by linear streaks of acute dermatitis that develop where plant parts have been in direct contact with the skin.

Symptoms Skin Allergies
Pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, and some skin cysts are markers of acne. Get up to speed on acne symptoms
allergic shiners - the dark circles children with allergies often get under their eyes
An allergic salute common in children - the upward tilt of the nose with a crease on top, caused by the child's continual upward swiping at an itchy nose.
Another skin condition, urticaria (hives), is often considered a symptom of allergies, but not all urticaria is caused by an allergic response. allergic urticaria is often related to drug, food, or latex allergies, but many times it is not known what triggers the urticaria.
wheezing, noisy breathing or shortness of breath rash or redness of the skin loss of consciousness

Treatment skin allergies
Antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlortrimeton, or loratadine (Clari tin, Clari tin RediTabs, Al avert); and moisturizing lotions.

Keep windows and doors closed during heavy pollination seasons.
Use the air conditioner in the house and car.
Rid the home of indoor plants and other sources of mildew.
Gargle with warm salt water to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort:
Gargle at least once each hour with 1 tsp (5 g) of salt dissolved in 8 fl oz of warm water.
Use acaricide (a chemical that kills house-dust mites) or a tannic acid solution (solution that neutralizes the allergen in mite droppings).

Mold Allergy- Treatment Of Its Causes

Along with pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds molds like microscopic fungal spores or fragments of fungi inhaled may cause allergic rhinitis.

This triggers a cascade of reactions that lead to allergy symptoms. In some people, mold allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms.

Mold allergy causes the same signs and symptoms that occur in other types of upper respiratory allergies. mold allergy symptoms can include:
• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough and postnasal drip
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Watery eyes
• Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses

Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person, and range from mild to severe. One may have year-round symptoms or symptoms that flare up only during certain times of the year like from spring to late fall also when the weather is damp, or you're in indoor or outdoor spaces that have high concentrations of mold. The mold season often peaks from July to late summer. In the warmest areas of the United States, however, molds thrive all year and can cause year-round (perennial) allergic problems. In addition, molds growing indoors can cause perennial allergic rhinitis even in the coldest climates.

If you have mold allergy and asthma, your asthma symptoms may be triggered by exposure to mold spores. In some people, exposure to certain molds can cause a severe asthma attack. Signs and symptoms of asthma include:
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath

There are thousands of types of molds yeast and spores. Since they are so small they evade the protective mechanisms of the nose and upper respiratory tract to reach the lungs. molds are very common both inside and outside found wherever there is moisture, oxygen, and a source of the few other chemicals they need. Some of the most common molds that cause allergies include Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aureobasidium.

If you have a mold allergy, the best defense is to reduce your exposure to the types of mold that cause your reaction. mold grows best at room temperature, and on many things, including tile, wood, paint, plaster, fabric, bathrooms and kitchens which contain adequate food and moisture also like closets, refrigerator drip trays, air conditioners, garbage pails, mattresses, pillows, attics, carpets, upholstery. In your home and basement, a musty smell will let you know that mold has set-up so all these needs to be freed from any moisture and cleaned regularly to reduce mold spores circulating in the air. If you have a stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes or other bothersome symptoms for longer than two weeks, see your doctor.

If you have asthma or your doctor suspects you have asthma, you may need to see a doctor who specializes in allergies on inhaling tiny, airborne mold spores, your body recognizes them as foreign invaders and develops allergy-causing antibodies to fight them. While it isn't always possible to avoid mold allergy triggers, medications can help keep mold allergy reactions under control.

Similar to pollen counts, mold counts may suggest the types and relative quantities of fungi present at a certain time and place. For several reasons, however, these counts probably cannot be used as a constant guide for daily activities. One reason is that the number and types of spores actually present in the mold count may have changed considerably in 24 hours because weather and spore dispersal are directly related. Many of the common allergenic molds are of the dry spore type - they release their spores during dry, windy weather. Other fungi need high humidity, fog, or dew to release their spores. Although rain washes many larger spores out of the air, it also causes some smaller spores to be shot into the air.
In addition to the effect of day-to-day weather changes on mold counts, spore populations may also differ between day and night. Day favors dispersal by dry spore types and night favors wet spore types.

Have You Ever Wondered What Allergies And Allergic Reactions Really Are?

An Allergy is a hypersensitivity to foreign substances which are normally harmless but which produce a violent reaction in the allergy sufferer. Allergies are generally the body's effort to eliminate something it considers unsuitable. Typical allergic reactions are hay fever, migraine, asthma, allergic rhinitis, digestive disturbances, coeliac disease, conjunctivitis, urticaria, eczema, drowsiness, CFS, hyperactivity in children, tinnitus, recurrent sinusitis and ear infections. In a few people, the histamine (anaphylactic) reaction can cause muscle cramps, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death from shock or suffocation.

Types

There are different types of allergies, the most common being type1. When an allergen encounters cells capable of antibody formation, they then form IgE antibodies, which bind to the surface of other cells, called mast cells and basophils. In response to the attachment those cells release chemicals, called mediators of anaphylaxis, among them histamine. Those chemicals cause allergic reactions such as swelling or the secretion of mucus.

Almost any substance can be an allergen for an individual. Common allergens include certain foods, especially milk, wheat and eggs, pollens, dust, moulds, cosmetic and certain food additives.

An Allergy is not the same as intolerance. Allergies always involve the immune system, whereas intolerance, e.g. lactose intolerance, is caused by a lack of lactase, the enzyme that converts lactose into glucose.

Causes

Allergies may have many different causes-from pets to pollen to certain types of medicine and foods. In addition, allergic symptoms may be just as varied. While no one can predict when or how an allergy will develop, you can learn how to keep allergies under control by following a treatment plan and avoiding the things that aggravate your allergic symptoms.

Symptoms

When allergies flare up, they may cause a considerable amount of discomfort and inconvenience, but having allergies does not mean you have to struggle with your symptoms. Understanding how to help keep allergies from interfering with the things you want to do may make a big difference in how you feel and how you live.

Mold Allergy - The Causes and Symptoms

Mold allergy is not the typical spring time allergy. It's an allergy that's based on the air borne fungal spores or fragments. Since the spores and fragments are very small, they have the ability to bypass the nose tract and reach the lungs. Being microscopic, the foreign particles may be very difficult to avoid and could be common in almost any home or building.

Origin of Molds

Molds grow in places where there are moisture and oxygen. In natural settings, they may thrive on rotting logs, vegetation, and places in shady areas. In the home, they could grow in damp basements, bathrooms, attics, closets, garages, or practically any place that has moisture. The prime locations for mold spores don't necessarily end at the home. Commercial places such as greenhouses, old buildings, bakeries, and industrial factories are a favorite place for mold growth as well. Molds have a ubiquitous nature and it's important that we understand how molds work and where they come from.

There are a number of allergenic fungi that cause allergic reactions in people. The Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Cephalosporium are commonly known fungi that fall under the Fungi Imperfecti group. These, specifically the Alternaria and Caldosporium are more prevalent outdoors than indoors. They are common during the autumn season, but sometimes they appear in the spring and summer. Indoors, Aspergillus and Penicillium are relatively persistent throughout the year with little effect from environmental factors.

Airborne isn't the only way that molds can get into the body. Common foods such as mushrooms, dried fruits, and cheese allow molds to be transported into the body. These items carry various types of molds that produce the same type of symptoms found from the airborne form. What are the typical symptoms?

Symptoms of mold allergies are similar to the effects of seasonal allergies from pollen. Typical symptoms include watering of eyes, stuffy nose, wheezing, and asthma. Medical books will call this allergic rhinitis, which is normally associated with seasonal problems and hypersensitivity problems. Studies suggest that allergic rhinitis is similar to cold-like symptoms. The reaction to these molds is not always immediate. It can sometimes be delayed, depending on the severity. With the help of allergy medication, one can treat mold allergies as with other allergies.

A more dangerous form of allergen is "Toxic mold." Toxic mold, or statchybotys, is a deadly form of allergen that can affect children in a negative way. The more common manifestation of this type is black mold . Black mold causes infants and children to suffer skin rashes and other lung damage that can result in death.

In the southern states, foam boards (wall insulation) with no allowance for air space have caused the walls to become wicks for water leaks and floods. As a result, mold spores easily proliferated throughout the house, leaving black mold. The symptom s of black mold allergy include coughing of blood, anemia, wheezing, bloody nose and nausea.

Allergy-causing molds can range from the simple ones found in nature to the dangerous molds created by man-made construction. The effects of these molds can have a severe effect, including mortality. By understanding the causes and effects of mold allergies, one can start pursuing preventative treatments.

Candida Allergy Feeds By the Molds - Candida and the Weather

A friend has been tested for candida allergy and it came out negative. It started to swell after a couple of hours from the skin test rather than 10 minutes. But, this is a sign of saying that your body can fight Candida and that your immune system is working properly against it. So, now this friend of mine is starting to think that candida is just a cross reaction of mold allergy, because she comes from a very dry place (South Eastern Turkey) and whenever she goes home for vacation, her symptoms are lessened greatly.

But, when she comes back to the sticky weather of Miami, everything starts from the beginning all over again. So, it has to be an allergy. I bet if she moves to Arizona or something, her symptoms will get a lot better, too, over there. She has brain fog, which is a very common symptom of CRC. And yes, it gets worse in hot damp and humid areas. These places are known to have high mold.

This Candida/allergy business is nasty. One feeds the other and vice versa. The Candida weakens you for the allergies, and the allergy reactions weaken you more, so the Candida takes a stronger hold. They continue living in this evil cycle. Mold also feeds the candida, which is why you aren't supposed to eat leftovers and wash all of your veggies, so, this could be a cyclical improvement. Until you could begin to contain/kill the mold in your body, it continued to feed the candida.

Mold Allergy - How Mold Can Hurt You And Your Family

There are millions of people around the world who suffer from an allergy in some form. As with all allergies a mold allergy is triggered by the immune system responding and overreacting to an allergy trigger, in this case mold spores.

A mold allergy will manifest in similar types of symptoms seen with a number of other allergies of the upper respiratory system i.e. runny of stuffed up nose, cough, itchy eyes, nose and throat, sneezing and watering eyes - all of which spell misery for the sufferer! However not everyone will suffer to the same degree and it is possible that specific environments where there are excessive concentrations of mold spores or even a certain time of year may influence the severity of mold allergy symptoms .

There is also an association between mold allergies and asthma. Indeed, asthma attacks can be set of if the sufferer is exposed to mold spores in the atmosphere. A few particular strains of mold spores which are capable of causing severe asthma attacks in certain cases. Some of the usual symptoms associated with asthma are wheezing, being short of breath, feeling tight in the chest and a cough.

The body will try to fight off a mold allergy by manufacturing antibodies, so that as soon as the body detects mold spores being inhaled the immune system will kick in and start to release these chemicals such as histamine into the body. This is responsible the unpleasant symptoms of itchy nose, throat, watery eyes and so on.

Fortunately for us having an allergy to one species of mold does not mean that we will trigger an allergy to all types of mold spores. This is probably just as well, due to the fact mold is found pretty much everywhere but there are only relatively few which will cause a mold allergy, the most common being cladosporium, aspergillus, alternari and penicillium.

Allergies are undoubtedly the most common illness linked to the presence of mold spores, however, mold might in some instances cause some pretty unpleasant and potentially serious conditions without any allergic reaction taking place.

Infection: This might take the form of a skin infection or flu-like illness in some instances even pneumonia.

Irritation: The irritation begins when VOCs (volatile organic compounds) irritate the mucus membranes in the body. The symptoms are very much the same a mold allergy. The main difference is that with an allergy the symptoms often tend to worsen each time contact is made with a certain strain of mold spore. Where as, with an irritation the condition does not get worse.

Toxic Reaction: Frequently caused by eating or drinking or inhaling something referred to as mycotoxins. The symptoms of this can include flu-like illness, breathing problems, skin irritation and in addition headaches, dizziness, problems with concentration and fatigue.

Mold allergies are more likely to manifest themselves or existing conditions might get worse depending on various factors, for example:

The type of work you carry out, certain occupations give greater exposure to mold spores. Take working with wood for example it may be logging or repairing furniture, working with grain or flour is another should you be milling or baking.

Conditions at home can have an effect. Should your home have a high humidity level, mold can germinate in all sorts of places like the basement, in the carpet, in tile grout basically anywhere there is a sufficiently damp surface. Having leaking pipes or water entering the property in some way will also create the ideal growing conditions for mold. Another common problem in dwellings which will encourage mold growth is poor ventilation especially in areas where huge amounts of moisture is generated such as the bathroom and kitchen.

Last but not least and possibly the most likely contributory factor in a person starting with a mold allergy is family history. If there are a few family members who suffer from asthma or some form of allergy the chances are that an individual may also becoming a victim.

The simplest way to avoid or reduce the symptoms of a mold allergy is to eradicate the source. However this is more or less impossible because mold is found in so many places both indoors and out. There are medications which will reduce symptoms for example nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines and decongestants. For persistent problems especially for asthma sufferers it is probably best to consult a doctor who can prescribe the most appropriate treatment.

At home small steps like wearing a face mask when carrying out tasks particularly in the garden might help Ensuring windows are closed during the night hours when the number of mold spores tend to peak and especially if the weather is cool and damp.

Prevention is unquestionably the best solution for mold allergies, so here are a few things you may want to consider:

* Buy a dehumidifier - some models come with HEPA filters
* Invest in an air conditioner with a HEPA filter
* Adequately ventilate rooms especially bathrooms and kitchens - get a ventilation fan and range hood
* Repair leaking pipes and any other problems which allow water to seep into the building

These are just some suggestions but ones which really should make a difference to anyone suffering a mold allergy.