Mold Allergy - Symptoms and Treatment
Pollen is not the only common allergy offender to keep an eye out for in your environment. Mold is also a cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Mold allergy season usually peaks around July and lasts into late summer. However, people that suffer from mold allergies may experience allergic symptoms from spring to late fall depending on the type of mold that they are allergic to and where they encounter it. In the warmest areas of the United States, molds prosper all year. This can lead to year-round symptoms. Also, indoor mold can cause year-round allergic reactions in all sorts of climates. It is important for you to be aware of what mold allergy is, what the symptoms feel like and what you can do to minimize your contact with mold in order for you to enjoy an allergy relief and allergen free lifestyle.
Mold: What is it?
Mold is a plant in the fungus family along with yeast. Yeast is a single cell that divides in order to form clusters. Molds, on the other hand, are comprised of many different cells. These cells grow and branch out in threads called hyphae. The reproductive particles of fungi are called spores. The mold spores for a given species of fungi differ in size, color and shape but mold spores that germinate can create a new mold growth which can turn around and release millions of mold spores of its own!
Mold Allergy: What is it?
Mold spores cause mold allergy symptoms when they are inhaled. These spores are tiny and since they are so small, they can sometimes sneak into the protective mechanisms of your nose and upper respiratory tract. Sometimes they can even reach your lungs!
Where is it?
The two basic needs that mold spores have are oxygen and moisture. Beware of places where these two are prevalent because mold spores may be nearby. As far as outside areas are concerned, rapid mold growth can occur during the fall in your back or front yards under rotting leaves, logs or tree branches. Mold could be lurking in your compost piles or it could be feasting on weeds or grass growing in your lawns.
Some mold spores like to attach themselves to grains like corn or wheat so be careful around silos and farms. Other places where mold is a likely guest are greenhouses, bakeries, dairies and breweries.
Inside your home, keep a watch out for mold in your bathrooms and basements. These are typically the dampest areas and are therefore ideal for mold growth. Also pay close attention to shower stalls and closets, refrigerators, air conditioners, garbage cans and house plants (any place where there is moisture and oxygen). You may want to inspect your mattresses, pillows and upholstered furniture as well. Use your nose to alert you to musty odors; that can be a telltale sign of mold.
What types of mold should I worry about?
It is important to note that mold spores only become a problem where they are allergenic in their chemical makeup, light and easily carried by a wind current and most importantly, plenteous. Only a few types of mold actually fit these criteria. Some typical offenders are Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Epicoccum, Penicillium, Fusarium and Helminthosporium.
What is a mold count?
A mold count is a figure that describes the types and quantities of mold spores that are in the air at a certain time. It operates in much the same way that a pollen count does. While a mold count can be a good rough estimate of what you might be facing on a given day, it should not be taken to be perfectly accurate. Mold spore dispersal varies throughout the day according to the weather, the wind, the time of day and the type of mold. Wet mold spores need humidity, dew or fog to release their spores. Wet mold spores will also commonly release spores at night. Dry weather mold spores will release their spores when it is dry and windy and will typically do this during the day. So, while a count may be helpful for a rough estimate, be mindful that the mold count will change throughout the day.
What else can mold spores do to me?
Mold can cause other problems aside from the typical mold allergy reaction. In some cases, prolonged exposure to mold resulted in the development of asthma. It can also lead to severe inflammatory asthma which is known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Symptoms of this condition include wheezing, fever and coughing up brown-flecked masses of mucus. Also, Aspergillus can cause infection and allergic reactions. It can lodge in your airways or a part of your lungs and continue to grow. This process will form a compact sphere which is called a "fungus ball." See a health care professional if you are experiencing any of the above mentioned mold allergy symptoms.
What can I do to relieve mold allergies?
There are several avenues that you can take to get rid of mold spores in your home, prevent further mold from growing and help to ensure that your body is in top physical condition to fend off mold should it attempt to invade. Finding the right combination of these precautions that fits your needs and administers natural allergy relief to your symptoms is the key to living a healthy and mold allergy free life.
Change Your Diet
Symptoms of mold allergy may be brought on or even worsened by eating certain foods. Keep a food diary and take special notice of patterns appearing between foods you eat and a worsening or easing of mold allergies.
Here are a few suggestions for foods that have been known to cause mold allergy:
- Foods such as cheeses which are processed with fungi may exacerbate your mold allergy symptoms.
- Foods containing yeast might be another group to look out for.
- Also, watch for how mushrooms and dried fruits affect you.
- Be careful around foods high in sugar. Fungi prospers in sugary environments.
- Mold allergy symptoms are also commonly found in conditions where the liver is stressed. Foods high in beta carotene or vitamin A can overload the liver and create conditions where your body is less ready to fight off mold allergy. This additional stress on the liver can also cause itchiness which can feel like an allergic reaction to mold.
Clean Your Home
Mold growth is difficult to control outdoors but indoors, you can wage war on this pesky allergen. The following are a few suggestions of places to start looking and eliminating mold spores and musty odor in your home:
- As a general rule, walk through your home taking note of places where you see mold already growing. Clean up existing mold in your home and throw out any old items that are just lying around waiting to become a host for an unwelcome house guest.
- Additionally, as you walk through your home take note of any strange stains or darkened spots that have appeared on floors or walls. These little stains may be a sign that there is a serious mold problem behind your walls in an area where you can't see it.
- Bleach and clean the bathroom thoroughly. This is a favorite incubation ground for mold. Make sure that you clean all bathrooms well and pay special attention to places where it gets particularly moist (like shower stalls or bathtubs).
- Get rid of old items that you aren't using like books or clothing. If you have a store of old clothes or books in an attic or basement, chances are that mold is either growing there or will invade soon. Get rid of these potential hosts. If there are a few items that you can't bear to part with and need to store in the attic or basement, place them in an airtight plastic container to keep mold out.
- Bleach clean the refrigerator. The fridge is the perfect place for mold to introduce itself to your home. Clean out the fridge and make sure that you get rid of old food before it starts to rot inside your refrigerator.
- Bleach clean around your windows and get the floors cleaned. Make sure that your windows seal thoroughly and clean your window sills. This is a prime place for moisture and oxygen.
- Cover your mattresses and pillows with hypoallergenic covers. You spend a big chunk of time in your bed and mold can sneak in there and fester. Make sure you keep all mold out with covers that cater to this specific purpose.
- Use a dehumidifier in rooms where moisture tends to accumulate.
- Get rid of fabric that mold can gather in. Make sure that you toss out old rugs or toilet covers that were in the bathroom. Moisture and mold congregate there. Also, get rid of old rugs and pillows anywhere in the home. Be sure to wash your drapes and have any remaining fabrics cleaned.
- It is a good idea to wash everything at the highest temperature that you can without damaging them. Hot water is sure to kill mold that has already started to grow.
- As a side note, be careful about organic foods. Organic foods are healthy and seem to be a great choice for you and your family. However, these foods are more susceptible to mold. If you do not want to resort to produce that has been treated with commercial pesticides, be sure that you regularly check on your produce to make sure that mold has not started to grow. Get rid of old food before mold appears and replace it with fresh produce as often as possible.
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