Mold Allergies

Molds are part of the natural environment. They reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. Indoors or out, molds can trigger allergies in people who are susceptible. (Read about "Allergies")

Like pollen allergies (Read about "Pollen Allergies"), mold allergies can also be seasonal. People allergic to molds may suffer symptoms from spring to fall with the season peaking in mid to late summer. Because molds like moist environments, this allergy can become worse during rainy or humid weather.

Symptoms of mold allergies often involve the respiratory tract. (Read about "Respiratory System") The eyes and skin can be affected too. (Read about "The Eye" "Skin") Symptoms can include:

• sneezing
• runny nose
• stuffy nose
• watery eyes
• coughing
• itchy eyes, nose or throat
• dark circles under the eyes
• hives (Read about "Hives")
• conjunctivitis/pink eye (Read about "Conjunctivitis")

Most outdoor molds become dormant in the winter, however, they can thrive all year in the warmest areas of the U.S. Mold growing indoors can persist year-round, even in the coldest climates.

According to the National Allergy Bureau (NAB), mold needs four things to grow: food, air, water and the right temperature. There are many common places to find mold both indoors and out.

Outdoor molds are often found on:

• rotting logs
• fallen leaves
• compost heaps
• mulch piles
• grains like wheat, oats and corn

Indoor molds are often found on or in:

• damp basements
• window moldings
• shower curtains or stalls
• refrigerator drip trays
• garbage cans
• houseplants

There are thousands of types of molds, but fortunately, only a small number are widely known to cause allergies. Molds are fungi, which are organisms with many cells that reproduce by sending millions of microscopic seeds, called spores, into the air. When inhaled, these spores cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Like pollen, mold spores are carried on the air currents. They are found almost everywhere and in some areas are so dense they can outnumber the pollens in the air. Mold counts, similar to pollen counts, may give an idea of the number and type of mold spores in the air at a given time. However, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) says these are not always reliable because the actual count can change dramatically in a short time depending on the weather. And while pollens travel best during dry, windy weather, mold spores are present in all kinds of weather. Many molds release their spores during dry weather. Some others only release spores when it's raining or there is other moisture from high humidity, fog or dew.

If you are allergic to mold, there are ways you can reduce your exposure to it both inside your home and outdoors. Steps you can take include:

• having someone else mow your lawn and rake the leaves
• wearing a mask when working outdoors where mold grows
• avoiding walks through tall weeds or grasses
• cleaning shower curtains and stalls frequently
• cleaning garbage cans
• removing houseplants from your home
• using a dehumidifier

Mold can be cleaned off surfaces with a mixture of water and chlorine bleach. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) also recommends avoiding carpet in bathrooms or other damp areas and using mold-proof paint instead of wallpaper.

Some areas cannot be cleaned once mold grows, according to NAB. Mold under carpets usually requires that the carpets be removed, and once mold grows in insulation of wallboard, the only way to fix the problem is to remove it and replace it.

Related Information:

    Immune System Glossary

    Occupational Respiratory Diseases