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Symptoms of an Allergy to Mold

The onset of respiratory symptoms while visiting a damp climate or moist environment may be due to a mold or mildew allergy. According to the Mayo Clinic, respiratory symptoms ranging from wheezing to a runny nose may be experienced in the presence of mold or mildew. Other symptoms may include a stuffy nose, sneezing, irritated eyes, sinus headaches, coughing and difficulty breathing. Occasionally, skin irritations or hives may be present. Not all molds cause allergic reactions, and being allergic to one mold doesn't automatically mean you're allergic to all that do cause allergies. The most common molds to trigger allergic reactions are alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium and penicillium.

  1. What it Is

    • Molds and mildews are types of fungi. The real villains are spores, which are "seeds" generated by fungi in the reproduction process. Spores can easily be dispersed into the air if they are disturbed, triggering symptoms in allergic individuals. Asthmatics who are allergic to mold may experience enough irritation to result in a severe asthma attack.

    Where it Grows

    • In addition to the more obvious places for mold and other fungi to grow, here are some you may not have considered. Indoors, you might find mold in refrigerator coils and door gaskets, garbage cans, washing machines, dryer vents, carpets and carpet pads, room air conditioning units, and even in foam pillows and mattresses. Outdoors, pay particular attention to avoiding compost piles, grasses and fallen leaves, grains and anything that is rotting.

    Black Mold

    • There is a great deal of debate in the scientific community about the toxic characteristics of so-called black mold (stachybotys). This type of mold may not have the typical musty odor of "regular" mold. Black mold has been cited as the cause of many additional allergic symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, intestinal distress, nosebleeds, dizziness, forgetfulness, and even pulmonary hemorrhage and death. Whether the mold itself causes these symptoms is unclear, but the environment in which black mold grows is clearly unhealthy. Any indoor location with humidity exceeding 50 percent is at high risk for all types of mold growth and should be dried out using a de-humidifier.

    Who Develops the Allergy?

    • People who are related to other allergy sufferers are more likely to be allergic to molds and other fungi than those without an allergic family history. Asthmatics and cystic fibrosis patients are prone to allergic reactions, as are people with compromised immune systems. Infants have not yet developed a full immune system, so they should also be shielded from potential sources of mold. Certain occupations, due to their work environments, are frequently exposed to mold growth. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, farmers, dairymen, mill workers, carpenters, loggers, winemakers, greenhouse employees, bakers and furniture repairers are at increased risk of developing allergies.

    Treatment

    • Avoidance is the most effective way to deal with mold if you are allergic to it. The more a person is exposed to it, the more likely it is that he will develop symptoms. If you suspect you are allergic to mold or other fungi and the symptoms become troublesome, you may need to schedule with an allergist (allergy doctor) to be tested. A variety of treatments are available, ranging from antihistamines and nasal sprays to steroids.

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