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What Are the Signs of Bacteria & Mold Allergies?

Bacteria and mold are everywhere. Everyday there are hundreds of bacteria and molds that every person comes in contact with. Some are more obvious than others like the mold that grows in the shower or bacteria that causes sickness in people, but other bacteria and molds are in the air, on the skin and in the carpet. Some people never notice any issue with interacting with common bacteria and mold, while other people are highly allergic and need to avoid them at all costs.

  1. Symptoms

    • The most common symptoms of a bacteria and mold allergic reaction are: sneezing, chronic cough, runny nose, itchy eyes, head congestion, hives, headaches and sinus issues. The symptoms will typically appear within 5 minutes of interacting with a particular bacteria or mold. The symptoms may manifest through oral ingestion or contact with the skin.

    Toxic Mold

    • Toxic mold (black mold) is highly allergic and has the potential to cause death in individuals that have a severe reaction. Many homes contain black mold because of the modern way of constructing homes without any breathing space in the walls. Mold thrives in warm, moist and dark environments so when the walls have no air, the black mold is able to spread quickly. People with mold allergies may show signs of a reaction to black mold such as: bloody discharge, dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting spells, memory loss and death.

    Time Frame

    • The signs of an allergic reaction to bacteria and mold should last as long as the person is in contact with the allergen. Once the individual departs from the allergen, he or she should see a significant improvement within 15 minutes but could take up to 2 hours. Taking an antihistamine immediately after exposure should lessen the time of the reaction to less than 30 minutes. If the signs persist, contact a medical professional immediately.

    Considerations

    • A person with asthma may have a more extreme reaction to bacteria and mold allergies. If a person with asthma has an allergic reaction to bacteria or mold, they will most likely have a severe asthma attack and could become short of breath, pass out and could potentially lead to death.

    Treatment

    • The most common treatment for the typical signs of a bacteria or mold allergy is to take diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Diphenhydramine is one of the most over-the-counter antihistamines. It will counteract the body's allergic reaction to the bacteria or mold, effectively curing any signs of the reaction. People with a severe allergy to bacteria and mold may need hospitalization or prescribed drugs to treat the signs and symptoms.

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