Top: Health: Conditions and Diseases: Allergies: Mold
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Mold and mildew are fungi. They differ from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. Their spores, or "seeds," are spread by the wind outdoors and by air currents indoors. Some spores are released in dry, windy weather. Others are released with the fog or dew when humidity is high. Because they are so small, mold spores may invade the protective mechanisms of the nose and upper respiratory tract.
Inhaling spores causes an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to late summer; however, allergic reactions can occur year round because fungi grow in so many places.
Although there are many types of molds, only a few dozen are known to cause allergic reactions. Alternaria, Cladosporium (Hormodendrum), Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus and Aureobasidium (Pullularia) are the major culprits. There is no known relationship between a respiratory allergy to the mold Penicillium and an allergy to the drug penicillin, made from the mold.
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It is common for people to develop a mold allergy if they or other family members are allergic to other substances such as pollen, dust mites or animal dander. If you are allergic to one type of mold, it is unlikely that you would be allergic to all molds since the spores from different molds vary.
People in some occupations are regularly exposed to mold and are at greater risk of developing allergies. Farmers, dairymen, loggers, bakers, mill workers, carpenters, greenhouse employees, winemakers and furniture repairpersons are at increased risk. Mold allergies to fungi and mold products in foods such as mushrooms, dried fruit, and foods containing yeast, vinegar or soy sauce are extremely rare. It is more likely that reactions to food fungi are caused by the direct effect of the food on blood vessels. For example, histamine may be present in red wine as a by-product of fermentation. Fungi on houseplants and in potting soil can cause an allergic reaction.
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The symptoms of a mold allergy are very similar to the symptoms of other allergies, and include sneezing, itching, nasal discharge, congestion, and dry, scaling skin. People with mold allergies may have allergy symptoms during the summer the peak season for outdoor molds, or year-round if symptoms are due to indoor molds.
Mold spores can deposit on the lining of the nose and cause hay fever symptoms. They also can reach the lungs, causing asthma. Aspergillus mold may cause a serious illness called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
Sometimes the reaction is immediate, and sometimes the reaction is delayed. Symptoms often worsen in a damp or moldy room such as a basement.
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As with most allergies, patients should:
Avoid contact with the spores
Wear a dust mask when cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves and disturbing other plant materials
Reduce the humidity indoors to prevent fungi from growing
Take medications for nasal or other allergic symptoms. Antihistamines and decongestants are available over the counter (without a prescription). Because these antihistamines can cause drowsiness, they are best taken at bedtime. If drowsiness continues to be a problem, talk to your doctor about taking non-sedating antihistamines, which require a prescription. For moderate and severe allergy symptoms, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid nasal sprays. If these medications are inadequate and your symptoms are severe, you and your allergist may consider allergy shots (immunotherapy). Allergy shots, which contain an extract of the substance causing the allergy, are beneficial in some carefully selected patients.
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Allergies cannot be cured, but avoiding contact with the spores can reduce the symptoms of the allergy. Several measures will help:
Stay indoors during periods when the published mold count is high. This will lessen the amount you inhale. Mold spores are "counted" by collecting a sample of particulates in the air then identifying and counting the mold spores in the sample. The amount of airborne spores is likely to change quickly, depending on the weather. The spore counts reported in the news are always for a past time period and may not reflect what is currently in the air. The specific mold that causes your allergic reaction may not be counted separately; however, knowing the count and the peak season for your allergy can help you decide when to stay indoors.
Use central heat/air conditioning equipped with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter attachment. It will help trap spores before they reach you. Heating/air conditioning systems with a HEPA filter attached work better than electrostatic air-cleaning devices and are much better than freestanding air cleaners. Devices that treat air with heat, ions or ozone are not recommended. No air cleaners will help if excess moisture remains. If indoor humidity is above 50 percent, the risk of mold growth rises steeply. Hygrometers can be used to measure humidity accurately. The goal is to keep humidity below 50 percent, and preferably about 35 percent. If humidifiers are necessary, scrub the fluid reservoirs at least twice a week to prevent mold growth. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can also be a source of mold and should be cleaned.
Take measures to prevent mold and moisture build-up inside your home, especially in bathrooms, basements and laundry areas.
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