Dealing With A Mold Allergy

Similar to other allergies, an allergic reaction to mold spores can range from mere irritation to extremely damaging to your health. There are medical treatments available to overcome the immediate symptoms of the allergy, or you can (and should) deal with the cause of the problem, the presence of the mold.

Mold is everywhere, it works to break down organisms as part of their life cycle. It is an essential part in the way the plant and animal kingdom cleans up after itself. Anywhere that provides it with a food source, particularly in moist, dark places will provide perfect growing conditions for mold. It spreads by releasing tiny lightweight spores into the atmosphere that travel easily through the air.

Like pollen, mold spores are the cause of allergic reactions in people who are susceptible. A person with a mold allergy will have a reaction when they become exposed to too much of the fungus. Whether the weather is warm or cooler, someone who is prone to mold allergies will suffer by the gradual build up of the mold spores that are released into the air in their immediate vicinity.

Molds differ depending on whether you are indoors or outdoors. The most common indoor molds that are identified are Aspergillus, Penicillium and Rhizopus. Outdoor molds are predominantly Alternaria, Cladosporium and Helminthosporium. Either way, environmental control measures are the same because all molds grow better in damp areas.

The symptoms of a mold allergy are very similar to the symptoms of other allergies. The patient will suffer wheezing, a runny nose, itching around the eyes, watery eyes, difficulty in breathing, a rash or hives. Other people might find that they are restless and irritable for extended periods for no apparent reason or are continually afflicted with sinus prolems. More severe reactions to a mold allergy might include asthma symptoms and can lead to long-term breathing problems.

The more common places where mold growth is likely to be greater is in the bathroom, the basement, in closets and storerooms, around and in garbage cans, laundries and washing machines. Basically, any place that is often damp or that provides a rich source of food for the mold to grow on is at risk of causing a problem. It will be necessary to seek ways to set up a mold allergy relief plan.

Treatment of someone who suffers from a mold allergy starts with reducing their exposure to mold and the mold spores. Areas in the home that can be cleaned with a mold-killing solution such as the bathroom tiles, shower curtain and ceiling should be regularly treated. Painting the walls with a mold inhibiting paint should be done if it hasn’t already. Use or install exhaust fans in rooms that are often moist. Using a dehumidifier can help with mold allergy sufferers because it will keep the humidity to a point low enough that mold cannot grow.

These are just a few of the steps that you can take to stop or inhibit mold growth that will assist a person suffering from a mold allergy. Not immediately drying clothes and linen after they have been wet or failing to detect a leak in the house are other potential mold sources. In these cases they will be harder to detect and the mold allergy symptoms may be the first indication that there is a problem in the house.

A type of mold that can cause severe mold allergy reactions in healthy people is toxic mold or black mold. This type of mold produces a by-product called mycotoxin which is particularly hazardous to the health. These toxins are believed to be responsible either directly or indirectly to a number of problems such as memory loss and lung problems.

Black mold grows on moist objects that contain cellulose such as paper, books and wood. It doesn’t grow on cement or tiles.

If you find that an advanced growth of black mold has taken up residence in your home the best course of action is to call a mold remediation company for a professional approach to removing it. The experts will know how to properly rid the threat and will help put in place measures to prevent it returning.