Best Allergy Medicine For Mold
While there is no cure for mold allergies, medications can reduce symptoms. Allergy shots are effective for only certain types of mold allergy.
Treatment for mold allergies is similar to treatment for allergic rhinitis and other inhaled allergies. The first line of treatment is to avoid mold, of course, while the second line of treatment is through allergy medications that can include antifungals, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The best mold allergy medicine depends largely on the symptoms the individual experiences. Antihistamines can stop the sneezing, runny nose, and itchiness associated with mold allergies, for example, while decongestant nasal sprays and oral decongestants provide short-term relief from nasal congestion. Nasal corticosteroids reduce inflammation. Expectorants helps loosen mucus to make it easier to cough up excess phlegm. Lidocaine numbs pain and itching.
Mold allergy treatments are available in nasal sprays, sinus drops, eardrops, throat sprays, oral solutions/suspensions, irrigations or mouth rinses. Nebulizers turn liquid medications into a vine mist that delivers the active ingredients directly into the lungs. Many of the higher-quality mold allergy treatments contain excipients, which are inactive substances that stabilize the remediation chemicals and serve as a medium for delivering the active ingredients.
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What Steps Can One Take For Mold Allergy Prevention
There is no mold allergy cure. The best way to stay allergy free is by avoiding mold spores. Although it is difficult to outrun mold, you can stick to the following home remedies to prevent your exposure to them
- Eliminate sources of dampness around you, especially in the basement
- Use a dehumidifier. Mold thrives in humidity, so it is best to keep the humidity levels below 50% at home
- Use an air conditioner, preferably one with a high efficiency particulate air filter attachment
- Change filters on your furnace and air conditioner regularly
- Ensure proper ventilation in all the bathrooms
- Dont carpet bathrooms and basements
- Keep organic plant containers clean and dry
- Toss or recycle old newspapers and books
When you are venturing outside, ensure your follow the following steps to avoid mold
- Avoid going through places that can have high mold counts, such as a pile of dead leaves, damp areas, greenhouses and uncut fields among others
- Wear a dust mask when youre out on a trek or going backpacking in the jungle
- Keep your backyard and surroundings clean and dry as they are breeding grounds for mold
- Avoid going out at night, especially during rainy season
Mold Today Mold Allergies In 2020
Mold allergen levels vary, and while a few generalities will work in your favor, you should always check multiple sources for updated mold and pollen counts.
Each year the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America classifies the worst cities for pollen sufferers. They base the list off of criteria, including high pollen counts, high allergy medicine usage and lower access to specialized care.
If you know that mold is a problem in your residential or commercial space, feel free to contact Mold Solutions
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What Is A Mold Allergy
Mold is a type of fungus that produces spores that float through the air. It can grow on almost anything when moisture or damp environments are present. It can be found indoors and outdoors. Mold is also a common cause of allergy and asthma symptoms.
Not all molds cause allergy symptoms. Some of the most common molds that cause allergy symptoms are:
Mildew is also a common type of mold.
Molds are different from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The seeds, called spores, travel through the air. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather. Others spread with the fog or dew when humidity is high. This makes it easier for you to breathe the spores into your lungs.
Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to early fall. Fungi grow in many places. They can grow both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year-round.
Many molds grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, in compost piles, and on grasses and grains. Unlike pollen, molds do not die with the first killing frost. Most outdoor molds become inactive during the winter. In the spring, they grow on plants killed by the cold. Indoors, fungi grow in damp areas like the bathroom, kitchen, or basement.
Diagnosis And Mold Allergy Treatment
Medical professionals do not know exactly how many people have a mold allergy, but the results of recentresearch suggest that 3 to 10 percent of the general population is sensitive to mold.
Doctors can diagnose mold allergies by recording a complete medical history, performing an examination, and ordering skin tests or allergen-specific IgE blood tests. During those tests, medical professionals scratch or prick the skin with extracts of different types of fungi reactions to the skin testing indicate a mold allergy.
Mold plates are essential for testing indoor air or specific items for the presence of the fungus. Mold spores land on the specially designed Petri dishes the growth of mold on the plates can help confirm the diagnosis of mold allergies.
The best way to reduce the symptoms of mold allergies is to remove the fungus. Mold remediation products can make mold removal safe, easy, and effective. These products contain strong chemicals that kill the mold. Environmental remediation products include shampoos, laundry detergent, candles, sprays, and pet shampoo. Other equipment, such as an exhaust fan and a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels inside the home or building, can help decrease mold levels.
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Exposure To Specific Types
Although there are hundreds of molds, not all of them lead to an allergic reaction. The most common molds that cause allergies include alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium, stachybotrys and penicillium, says Dr. Mavunda.
The more obvious hiding spots of common molds are:
- Alternaria: Occurring in the environment, although typically found in plants and damp materials such as textiles.
- Aspergillus: Found both indoors and outside, this mold has around 180 species40 of which can cause reactions in humans.
- Cladosporium: As one of the most common fungi found both outdoors and indoors, it is commonly found in outdoor and indoor air , plants, soil and fruits.
- Stachybotrys: Often referred to as black mold, stachybotrys is found in buildings with water damage or high condensation levels, as it requires a constant moisture source to grow.
- Penicillium: As well as being present in indoor environments, this type of mold is found in soil, vegetation, certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and in the air.
Can Mold Grow In Your Lungs
Mold can grow in damaged lungs or in people with a problem with their immune system. It is rare for it to grow in healthy lungs in people with an intact immune system. Aspergillosis is an example of this.
These are some of the more common manifestations of exposure to mold but there are others. If you think that you may be affected by mold you should consult a health professional.
Mildew is another type of fungus that grows when there is water available. As a general rule Mildew tends not to damage the surfaces on which it is growing like mold does. Also it is easier to remove and has fewer health implications.
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Mold Allergy: Symptoms Causes Types And Treatment
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Mold, which is a form of fungus, is a multicellular organism that comes in many varieties but is generally categorized as indoor or outdoor mold. Unlike fungal infections which are non-allergic conditions, a mold allergy occurs when the body triggers an immune system reaction to mold exposure, like inhaling airborne mold spores.
A mold allergy can manifest at any age and trigger a range of symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and headaches. Accurately diagnosing an allergy to mold can be difficult. Not only is it puzzling trying to figure out the source or type of mold thats triggering the immune response, but differentiating a mold allergy from other allergens can be challenging in and of itself. The symptoms of a mold allergy can also range in severity from person to person. Its common for some individuals to experience mold allergy symptoms year-round, whereas others may have flare-ups that only occur during certain times of the year.
Some mold spores spread rapidly in dry, windy conditions while other forms are more abundant in humid, moist weather, such as foggy and rainy conditions. If you suspect you have a mold allergy, its important to be mindful of where and when you experience symptoms, such as whether youre indoors or outdoors, and what the environmental conditions are like. This knowledge can equip you and your physician with better awareness as to whats triggering the allergy and how to treat it.
Skip The Fuzz Underfoot
Wall to wall carpet may look nice, but it makes an almost perfect home for dust mites and mold. Plus, it attracts and holds pollen and pet dander. Even steam cleaning regularly probably wont allergen-free. Steam isnt hot enough to kill the mites, says Dr. Platts-Mills. All the process really does is make your carpets warmer and wetter underneath-an ideal mold. Instead, consider tile or hardwood floors topped with throw rugs.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Mold Allergy
Mold spores get into your nose and cause rhinitis symptoms. They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma.
Symptoms can include:
- Mucus in the throat
- Asthma symptoms if you have allergic asthma cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness
Mold allergy can cause an allergic reaction right away. But in some cases, it may cause delayed symptoms. This can cause a stuffy nose or asthma symptoms that get worse over time. If your symptoms often get worse in a damp, humid, or moldy room like a basement, this may mean you have a mold allergy.
Outdoor molds often cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall. But they may be year-round in warmer, humid climates. Indoor molds may cause allergy symptoms year-round.
Rarely, some people can have a more serious illness called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In this condition, there is both an allergic and an inflammatory response in the lungs to the mold or fungus. Symptoms may include severe wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, much like asthma.
Food fungi, like mushrooms, dried fruit, or foods containing yeast, vinegar, or soy sauce usually dont cause allergy symptoms in the nose, eyes, and lungs. Reactions to food fungi are often caused by the foods direct effect on blood vessels.
What Are The Causes Of Mold Allergy
Like all other allergies, mold allergy symptoms are caused when a persons over-sensitive immune system is triggered.
When you inhale tiny spores of mold, your immune system falsely considers them to be foreign invaders and reacts to them, creating antibodies to fight these invaders. Even when the exposure has passed, the body keeps producing these antibodies to fight with the mold spores in it were to come in contact with them later.
This process triggers release of a substance called histamines. Allergic reactions are caused due to these histamines.
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Is Your Pet A Problem
The furry friends in American homes can worsen-and in many cases, cause-allergies. Cat dander is the most problematic, but dogs birds, rabbits, horses, and other pets with hair or fur can also stir up allergic reactions.
Even allergen-free pets are more hype than hope, experts say. Because pet allergens may linger in upholstered couches and chairs, wallpaper, and other areas for several months, professional cleaning may be in order. If you cannot bear to be without a pet, wash your cat or dog frequently evidence suggests this may reduce its level of allergens.
Symptoms Of A Mold Allergy
In the US, about 20% of the population has been diagnosed with environmental allergieswhich includes mold allergies. Two-thirds of those with asthma may also have environmental allergies.
Even if you havent been diagnosed with environmental allergies, mold spores still could make you sensitive. When the body is exposed to mold spores, it responds by producing antibodies. Repeated exposure prompts a bigger response whichespecially for those with a mold allergycan include the following symptoms :
If you have asthma, mold can also trigger an asthma attack. Certain types of mold may also produce flu-like symptoms, which in some cases could include fevers and general feelings of illness. In the most extreme situations, severe symptoms like lung infections and anaphylaxis may also arise.
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Start A Neural Retraining Program
Certain areas of the body are more vulnerable to mycotoxins, and the brain is one of them. Certain areas of the brain can end up in a chronic fight or flight response and according to McElroy, No pill can fully stop this response, so we have to retrain certain neural pathways to put the response into a heal and rest state. She often recommends Annie Hoppers Dynamic Neural Retraining System. This is essential for full recovery, says McElroy.
What You Can Do In The Meantime
While you’re waiting to see your doctor, there are numerous over-the-counter allergy medications that may ease your symptoms.
If you have visible mold in your home, have someone who’s not allergic to mold clean the area using a solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water or a commercially available mold-cleaning product. If you have to clean up the mold yourself, be sure to wear long rubber gloves, safety goggles and a mask to limit your exposure to the mold.
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Reduce Mold To Breathe Better
Because mold needs moisture to grow, itâs often found in piles of leaves, in grasses, and on logs. Inside, it can grow wherever theres moisture and poor ventilation. Heres how to protect yourself, indoors and out:
Use a dehumidifier. Lowering the humidity inside your home to under 45 percent or even under 35 percent will help you fight mold growth, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. If you live in a larger house, consider placing the dehumidifier in your basement, which is a cooler, moister area in the home where mold grows easily. Cohn recommends setting one up so that it drains automatically without your having to empty the reservoir, which is easy to forget to do, and can actually create more mold growth. To do so, attach a hose to the unit and allow it to empty into a water-collecting sump pump drain.
Focus on air flow. Use a clean exhaust fan in your bathroom when you shower and in your kitchen when you cook or wash dishes. Keep the inner doors of your house open to help air flow and to stem mold growth.
Fix leaks. Anywhere thereâs leaking water, mold may be present. Check for leaks in your basement, bathtubs, and laundry room, by all faucets, and on your roof.
Position drains away from the house. Moving rainwater away from your house will help keep the structure dry and mold-free.
Whether youre in your home or outdoors, taking these steps can help to dramatically reduce your exposure to mold and prevent allergic reactions.
Symptoms Of Mold Allergies
While tree, grass, and weed pollen seasons coincide with the season in which these plants are blooming, mold spores can exist all year round both outside and inside. Mold spores can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms. Those who are allergic to mold, experience typical respiratory allergy symptoms including:
- Nasal congestion
Fall is a common time for mold growth outside due to the damp and cold weather. Those who are allergic to mold spores should minimize their exposure and work to control mold where they live.
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How Long Do Symptoms Of Mold Allergy Last
That can depend on whether your symptoms are caused by indoor or outdoor molds. Most outdoor species tend to cause mold allergy symptoms in summer to early fall before going into hibernation when it gets cold.
But the world is warming and that seems to be lengthening the period that outdoor mold spores are in the air. Studies also suggest the quantity of spores released increases when carbon dioxide levels are higher. These basic facts about climate change could extend the outdoor mold allergy season and make mold allergies more likely.
Its a bit different for people allergic to indoor molds. Fungi depend on humidity to grow so they love your kitchen, bathroom and basement. And they can give you symptoms year round.
Guide to allergy medicines
Natural Allergy Relief Options
What helps relieve allergies fast? Watching what you eat, getting plenty of fresh air and drinking enough water are some of the natural remedies that can relieve allergies by improving functions of the immune system.
It may take several weeks for your symptoms to subside, but they are likely to be better kept under control when you tackle the root causes. Here are nine ways to get natural allergy relief.
1. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline Diet
First and foremost, start eating an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce your risk for allergies and many other health problems. Caring for your body with nutrient-dense foods gives your immune system the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into balance so it can fight off common allergies in your environment.
Here are some of the best foods and ingredients to incorporate into your diet to help you beat allergies:
Although its not abundant in many foods, vitamin D is also important for immune function and may help manage allergy symptoms. In fact, certain studies have shown that children who live farther from the equator are more likely to develop allergies and suffer higher rates of hospital admissions due to allergic reactions.
You can get enough vitamin D by spending about 15 minutes in the sun most days without sunscreen and by eating foods like whole milk and some mushrooms for natural allergy relief.
2. Local Raw Honey
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
4. Quercetin
5. Neti Pot
6. Stinging Nettle
8. Probiotics
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