Overview
Everyone breathes in mold spores. These tiny fungi are present in damp environments both outdoors and indoors. Although breathing mold spores is normal, some people have an allergic reaction or asthma symptoms when they are exposed to it. If you have a mold allergy, the best defense is to reduce your exposure to the types of mold that cause your reaction.
Mold Allergy Symptoms
The symptoms of mold allergy are very similar to the symptoms of other allergies. If you are allergic to mold, then you might experience some symptoms such as:
- Sneezing,
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Runny nose,
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy nose, mouth, and lips
Mold allergy symptoms vary from one person to another. One can have mild symptoms while others can have severe symptoms. Learn more about mold allergy symptoms by calling your doctor.
What Can You Do
- Use a dehumidifier on damp areas in your home such as your bathrooms, basements, and laundry spaces.
- Make sure that all bathrooms are properly ventilated and have a ventilation fan to immediately dry the air.
- Use an air conditioner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter attachment to trap mold spores from outdoor air before they circulate inside your home.
- Keep your surfaces clean. If you see mold on a hard surface in your home, clean it using a bleach solution, soap, and water.
- Limit your outdoor activities when mold counts are high. This will lessen the number of mold spores you inhale and your symptoms.
- Change filters on your furnace and air conditioners regularly.
Treatments
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication – You can purchase nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines, oral decongestants, or montelukast to help with the itching, sneezing, and runny nose. These medications can help prevent and treat the inflammation caused by a mold allergy.
- Immunotherapy – This treatment can be very effective for mold allergies. It is a long-term treatment that decreases symptoms of allergies in both adults and children. Immunotherapy decreases your sensitivity to allergens, often leading to long-lasting relief of allergy symptoms even after you stop the medication.
Allergies can affect your quality of life. That is why it is important to seek professional help to minimize its symptoms. Dr. Paul Jantzi has spent more than 13 years serving the south-central Texas region as an allergist. He is board-certified in allergy and immunology with prior specialty training in pediatrics and internal medicine. Schedule a meeting with him to learn more about immunotherapy and how it can help with your allergy symptoms.