What Are The Treatments For Mold Allergies
Other than considering only your symptoms, doctors can conduct a physical test to be able to rule out other allergens that are common to your local area. If you are consistently affected by allergens year-round consider asking a doctor to give you a skin prick test or a blood test for allergens. If you have ideas of what specific allergens affect you, tell the doctor and he might be able to tailor the test to you better.
Here are some ways to reduce chances of mold allergies:
But even while you are doing these actions you will still probably have symptoms from the mold allergies
What Is Your Mold Allergy Terrain
Warm, windy conditions are bad for mold allergy sufferers. Mold thrives on warmth and travels by way of the breeze. Even though the salt air will keep some mold away, some
are resistant to the salt air and can still thrive not far inland. So even though it would be pretty to move to the beach, it may not give you a reprieve from your mold allergies.
Even in the northern US, where freezes occur often, mold can grow from the snow and ice melt off that can pool or create water damage in wood. Places where it stays below
the freezing temperature for months at a time are some of the few places where mold will at least not grow outside for a large chunk of the year.
It is good to be prepared when you know you must move, but you should not move to âget away from your allergiesâ.
Other Problems Caused By Mold
Besides allergens, mold can pose other health risks to susceptible people. For example, mold can cause infections of the skin or mucous membranes. Generally, however, mold doesn’t cause systemic infections except for people with impaired immune systems, such as those who have HIV/AIDS or who are taking immunosuppressant medication.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Remove Mildew From Leather
Five Ways To Manage Seasonal Allergy Symptoms:
1. Run an Air Purifier Using an air purifier as a remedy to manage your allergies is a smart choice because it will help you sleep better and breathe clean air. Air purifiers are designed to pull the smallest particles out of the air, capture them in a HEPA filter, and then push clean air back out. Running an air purifier can help everyone breathe more comfortable by removing up to 99 percent of airborne particles, including mold spores, pet dander, dust, and allergens.
2. Try Non-Prescription Medications There are several over the counter remedies that can help you manage allergy symptoms. These can include nasal spray, decongestants, and oral antihistamines. While one of these non-prescription medications, or a combination, may work better than another, they have all proven to help you manage allergy symptoms.
3. Try an Allergy Shot Allergy shots can minimize your sensitivity to allergy triggers. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the treatment entails periodic injections of small and increasing amounts of substances that cause allergic reactions. Research has found that this treatment is effective for seasonal allergies that trigger itch, red eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion.
What To Do With Moldy Firewood
At the end of the day, moldy firewood can be very problematic. You should be worried that the mold is going to cause health problems for yourself and your family. You need to make sure that the mold is kept away from your loved ones.
Otherwise, it could lead to problems. So, what should you do with moldy firewood? Well, you have the option of burning it. Moldy firewood will burn and it can still heat your home exceptionally well. However, it might not be worth the risk. If you feel this way, you should not burn it.
So, what can you do with the wood? Well, your options are plentiful. You could try splitting the wood and getting rid of the portion that contains the mold. If youre going to do this, you should wear suitable clothing.
Make sure that youre protected to the fullest. Youll also want to consider giving the wood to someone else. If youre not going to burn it, you should think about letting someone else do so.
This is a good way to get rid of the wood. You might be able to sell it to someone at a discounted price too.
Read Also: How To Clean Ceiling Mold Bathroom
How Can I Prevent An Allergic Reaction To Mold
There is no cure for allergies. But you can reduce your allergy symptoms by avoiding contact with the mold spores. Several measures will help:
Reduce Your Exposure to Mold Spores Outside
- Limit your outdoor activities when mold counts are high. This will lessen the amount of mold spores you inhale and your symptoms.
- Wear a dust mask when cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves and disturbing other plant materials.
Reduce Your Exposure to Mold Spores Inside
- Use central air conditioning with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filter attachment. This can help trap mold spores from your entire home. Freestanding air cleaners only filter air in a limited area. Avoid devices that treat air with heat, electrostatic ions or ozone.
- Lower your indoor humidity. No air cleaners will help if excess moisture remains. If indoor humidity is above 50%, fungi will thrive. A hygrometer is a tool used to measure humidity. The goal is to keep humidity below 45%, but below 35% is better. If you have to use a humidifier, clean the fluid reservoir at least twice a week to prevent mold growth. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can also be a source of mold.
- Prevent mold and mildew build up inside the home. Pay close attention to mold in bathrooms, basements and laundry areas. Be aggressive about reducing dampness.
To Reduce Mold in Your Bathrooms:
To Reduce Mold in Your Kitchen:
To Reduce Mold in Your Laundry Area:
To Reduce Mold in Your Bedrooms:
To Reduce Mold in Your Basement:
Are You Suffering From Cold
At JSE Labs, our team of expert consultants offers professional mold inspections and testing services. We use visual inspection, moisture meters, particle counters, and sample collection to help you identify the problem and determine the best solution. Let us help keep you and your family safe!
Contact us today or give us a call at to get started.
You May Like: How To Remove Mold On Ceiling
What You Can Do
- Ask if there are any pre-appointment restrictions when making your appointment. For example, if you’re having allergy tests, your doctor will likely want you to stop taking allergy medications for several days before the test.
- Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing as well as where you were and what you were doing when the symptoms started.
- Make a list of all the medications, vitamins or supplements you take, and bring that list with you to your appointment.
- Write down any questions you have for your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions helps you make the most of your time with your doctor. For a mold allergy, some questions you might want to ask include:
- What do you think is causing these symptoms?
- Are there tests available that can confirm a specific allergy? Do I need to prepare for these tests?
- How can I treat a mold allergy?
- What side effects can I expect from allergy medications?
- How can I get mold out of my home?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing?
- I have another health condition. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Do you have brochures or other printed materials? What websites do you recommend?
What Is Mold Allergy
Mold is everywhere. Mold spores can grow both outdoors and indoors all year round. They are fungi with seeds called spores that travel through air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather while others spread with fog or dew when the humidity is high. Mold spores count is highest at night, especially when its foggy, damp or rainy.
Upsetting these mold spores send them into the air, triggering an allergic reaction in people who have an allergy to mold.
Recommended Reading: Installing Vinyl Stair Nose
Could Your Sniffling Be A Mold Allergy
Sniffling and sneezingalong with other unpleasant symptomsare your bodys way of signaling that it really, really doesnt like being around a certain substance. If you have a mold allergy, exposure causes your bodys immune system to overreact, producing symptoms like a runny nose and watery, itchy eyes. If you also have asthma, it might even lead to some wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Unfortunately, theres a major complicating factor: You may not even know that this common allergen is the culprit. It can lurk, unseen and hidden. The only way you might realize its around is when you start using up your box of tissues.
Reduce The Risk Of Mold Growing In And Around The Home
- Change your air filters regularly.
- Use central air conditioning with a certified allergy filter attachment.
- Use a dehumidifier to keep indoor humidity under 50% to discourage the growth of mold and other fungi.
- Clean damp areas, such as bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms, regularly.
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and keep other rooms well-ventilated.
- Have any leaks, from the plumbing to the roof, repaired as soon as possible.
- Remove garbage from the home promptly and clean indoor trash containers frequently.
- Do not let papers or damp clothing pile up, as this can encourage mold growth.
- Clean house gutters regularly and remove dead vegetation from around the foundation.
Read Also: Water Filter Mold
Can You Use Moldy Firewood
Believe it or not, you can use moldy firewood without any problems. However, not everyone should consider using firewood that has developed mold. Doing so could create major health problems.
You might be allergic to mold. If you are, you should stay away from moldy firewood. It is only going to make problems worse in the future. With that being said, you can use moldy firewood but you shouldnt if you have a sensitivity to mold or asthma.
You need to be very cautious when using the wood too. Make sure that youre careful not to release the mold spores into the atmosphere. Take your time and place the wood into the fireplace efficiently to avoid problems.
How To Help Manage Mold Allergies In Your Home
Unlike seasonal allergies, moldX mold Parasitic, microscopic fungi that float in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom, as well as outdoors in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms. can be a problem all year round, and it is both an indoor and outdoor allergenX allergen A substance that your body perceives as foreign and harmful initiates the allergic reaction.. Indoors, it is commonly found in damp, dark rooms and corners. It should be dealt with quickly to prevent property damage and help reduce moldX mold Parasitic, microscopic fungi that float in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom, as well as outdoors in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms.-allergyXallergy An exaggerated response of the immune system to a substance that is ordinarily harmless. symptoms.
Also Check: How To Rid Mold In Basement
What Are Allergies How Do They Develop
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies are triggered when our immune system views a particular substance as harmful. As a result, an allergic reaction happens. For some, an allergic reaction may include sneezing, wheezing, congestion, and itchy, watery, or red eyes. Unfortunately, allergic reactions can be more severe with allergy symptoms, including hives, skin rashes, and more.
While some allergies are seasonal and perennial , many others are long-long. Here are some of the most common types of allergies:
- Pollen Allergy This is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. Experts refer to it as seasonal allergic rhinitis. It is commonly known as hay fever by most people. The majority of pollen allergies come from weeds, trees, and grasses, which are the most common causes.
- Pet Allergy Many people are allergic to proteins in animal skin cells, urine, or saliva. This is especially true for cat dander because it floats in the air. Pet allergy symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, and asthma signs such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Health Issues Caused By Fusarium Mold
All molds have the potential to be allergens. People sensitive or allergic to molds may experience flu-like symptoms, including nasal and sinus congestion, sore throat, itchy, watery eyes and asthma symptoms like wheezing and coughing. Extended exposure to mold spores in the home can increase the symptoms. Only removing the mold from the home can provide permanent relief.
Fusarium mold can cause opportunistic infections in healthy people, including onychomycosis which is a nail infection, and keratomycosis, an infection of the cornea. Untreated infections can cause permanent scarring and vision loss. For people with compromised immune systems, more aggressive systemic infections can occur. The mold spores are usually inhaled, but can also reach the bloodstream through cuts or burns in the skin.
A form of this mold is produced industrially as a human food known as Quorn. It has the potential to cause allergic reactions similar to peanut allergies. People with mold allergies may be at higher risk for allergic reactions when consuming it.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Mildew Off Bathroom Ceiling
Mold: How Does It Cause Allergies
Mold is a fungus that grows in places that are moist. During its growth phase, mold is unlikely to cause many allergy symptoms unless youre actively touching or removing it, says Christian Nageotte, MD, staff allergist at Henry Ford Hospital in Novi, Michigan. But on dry and windy days outside, mold goes into the protective part of its life cycle, he says. Thats when mold releases seeds, or spores, that blow in the wind and can be inhaled.
About three dozen types of mold can cause respiratory allergies. Mold allergy symptoms may include a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, mucus buildup, postnasal drip, and an itchy nose and eyes. When mold spores enter the lungs, they could trigger asthma.
If you have experienced allergic symptoms but are unsure of the cause, a skin or blood test done by an allergist can tell you if mold is the culprit.
Ways To Deal With Mold Quickly To Avoid Allergies
by Lisa | May 27, 2020 | Mold |
Are you worried you may have mold growing in or around your home? Maybe youve detected a musty odor, found discolored patches on your walls, or noticed brown or green gunk collecting in the corners of your shower.
Its important to address mold as quickly as possible to protect your health and home, especially if you suffer from allergies. Keep reading to learn how to quickly and effectively address household mold to avoid the dangers of mold allergies.
Read Also: Wet Molding Leather Holsters
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
Identifying The Source Of Mold Allergies In Winter
Obviously, if you notice visible mold or mildew growing in a certain area of your home, it is clear that you have a mold problem. You will need to identify the source of the moisture and remedy the problem at the source. For instance, if you discover mold growing under your bathroom sink, look to see if there are leaky pipes that may be dripping water and repair them.
However, though you may not notice mold growth in certain area, this does not mean that mold isnt present or that it wont grow if you dont take action. Indications such as condensation forming on window panes or peeling paint on window sills suggest moisture buildup that makes the area susceptible to mold growth. Water stains likewise indicate a moisture problem and a potential hotspot for mold growth. Any area where water sits or steam collects, such as in shower stalls or bathtub rims, is also a place to keep an eye on.
Recommended Reading: How To Mold Leather Holster
