Mold AllergyMolds also known as fungus are found through out nature that belongs to a family of organisms.
There are more than thousand types of molds present in the environment, however only a few dozen cause allergic reaction. Molds reproduce via the formation of spores and grow in the units called mycelium.
These spores can cause allergic disease as they frequently become airborne. Molds are often found on a carbohydrate material like wood or cellulose as like plant they need food and water in order to thrive.
Unlike pollen allergies mold allergy does not have a particular season, as molds can thrive in all kind of weathers – indoors and outdoors. People with poor immune system can develop fungal infections of various types and the toxins they produce are associated with many human diseases.
Molds are well known to cause various immune reactions (colonization of the lung and sinus) and allergic diseases (allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis).
Common molds that are most likely to cause allergic diseases are Alternaria – known to cause severe asthma, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporum, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Aureobasidium, Phoma, Yeasts, Smuts, Rhizopus and Mucor.
Signs and symptoms of mold allergy Mold allergy symptoms are similar to that of the symptoms of respiratory allergy.
Some may even experience symptoms of asthma like shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing that can be serious in the event of an asthma attack. Other symptoms of mold allergy include running or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, postnasal drip, sinusitis, itchy watery eyes, itchy nose and throat and skin rash.
When an exposure to mold spores occurs, our bodies recognize it as foreign invaders and produces antibodies to fight against them; this in turn causes the immune system to react and release substances called histamines. This substance then causes itchy, watery eyes, postnasal drip, sneezing, coughing and other allergic reactions. Consult a specialist if you experience any signs and symptoms of mold allergy for immediate treatment to avoid further immune compromised complications.
Risk factors for mold allergies - If a person is genetic predisposition to allergies.
- A person who is working in an occupation like gardening, millwork, baking, dairy work or logging where he is constantly exposed to mold.
- Living in a house that has high humidity or wet basement, as these conditions are more favorable for the molds to grow.
- Shifting to a new house with airtight windows and doors.
Prevention - Keep the basement area dry and humidity levels in house below 50.
- Dispose the garbage regularly and clean the filters of the air conditioners.
- Make sure that the house and bathroom is well ventilated.
- Sleep with windows closed, don’t go outdoors immediately after a rainstorm and consider wearing a mask over the nose and mouth to keep the mold spore out.
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