You probably know that mold can form indoors, but did you know that it’s also naturally occurring outside?
Mold is a fungus that can grow both inside and outside. It contains spores that reproduce as it travels through the air. Depending on the type of mold, its spores travel in various ways. For instance, some types of mold travel in windy weather while others spread with high humidity. When these spores are inhaled, it could trigger an allergic reaction. People could experience mold allergic reactions all year round, but most have symptoms from July through early fall.
When mold spores are inhaled, they can impact people in two different ways. The first is that spores can get into your nose and cause rhinitis (also known as nasal allergies), which translates to “inflammation of the nose.” This causes a runny and stuffy nose. The second is that spores can reach your lungs and cause asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition that people experience when exposed to a trigger, such as mold. If you already have asthma and are exposed to mold spores, you could experience an asthma attack or symptoms more severe than a non-asthmatic person. Both ways are serious, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and take the necessary action.
Signs and Symptoms of a Mold Allergy
Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person; for instance, some may experience symptoms year-round while others may have flare-ups, or some may have a mild allergy while others may have a severe allergy. Also, only certain types of molds, such as alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium and penicillium, can cause allergies. Someone could be allergic to one type of mold and not allergic to another.
Even though symptoms vary, there are common signs and symptoms that most people could experience:
- Congestion
- Cough
- Dry, scaling skin
- Hives
- Itchy
- Postnasal drip
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Scratchy throat
- Sneezing
- Swollen eyelids
- Watery eyes
Additionally, if you have asthma and a mold allergy, the signs and symptoms can be more severe, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in chest
- Wheezing
Mold Allergy Diagnosis
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor can test you for a mold allergy with a simple skin test or allergen-specific blood test. Your doctor can also test your specific fungus allergies. If your test results show that you have a mold allergy, there are precautions you can take to reduce your exposure to mold spores. Note: There’s no way to get away from mold spores completely, as they are naturally occurring outdoors, but you can take precautions to reduce your symptoms.
Reducing Mold Spores
To reduce mold exposure, you can monitor the mold spore levels outdoors and minimize your time outdoors when levels are high. The National Allergy Bureau reports mold spore levels in the United States and Canada, and they will notify you if the outdoor spore levels are high enough to cause mold allergy symptoms. Click here to see what the mold levels are in your area.
When it comes to reducing mold spores indoors, you can hire a mold expert to ensure your home is healthy and safe. A mold expert will remove the mold inside your home and determine the cause of the mold to prevent future problems.
Contact Mold Medics
At Mold Medics, we’re your go-to mold experts! We’re dedicated to keeping your family healthy and safe with our mold removal services. One of our team members will conduct an in-home assessment to determine the mold varieties and levels in your home as well as what is causing the moisture. From there, we’ll come up with a custom removal plan to not only remove the mold but also to fix the moisture source. This prevents mold from forming in the future. For more information and a step-by-step guide on our mold removal process, click here.
If you would like to schedule a mold assessment or if you have any questions about mold, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is readily available to make your home healthy again and answer any questions you may have.