A mould allergy is caused by the immune system having a strong response to the presence of mould spores. This condition causes the body to react to the presence of mould spores as though a bacteria or virus has invaded the body. The symptoms of this condition can be mild in some people, while other patients have a more severe reaction to the presence of mould spores.
These allergies are actually quite common, and it is always a good idea to prevent mould growth anywhere in your home or place of business due to this kind of health risk.
Mould allergies cause the following symptoms:
Mould allergies can vary in severity. Some people will have year-round symptoms, while other people might only experience symptoms during the winter or the cooler times of the year.
Mould allergies are caused by the immune system reacting strongly to the presence of mould spores in the environment. This causes the body to react like there is a foreign invader attacking the body. The immune system will produce histamine cells which cause itching, rashes, and sneezing, and coughing in order to try and rid the body of the mould spore irritants.
There are many kinds of mould spores that you can be exposed to. The winter is the primary time when mould spores might be present outdoors or in older homes, but some people experience exposure to mould year-round due to a variety of factors.
The risk factors for mould allergies are:
Diagnosis is often made by taking a health history from the patient. The doctor will ask about the industry that you work in and ask about the condition of your home. If mould is thought to be the cause of your allergies, you will likely need to take steps to remove the mould from your home or to limit your exposure to it. If your symptoms improve, a diagnosis of a mould allergy will likely be confirmed.
A skin prick test can also be done to confirm a mould allergy. The skin will be injured in a small area, and mould spores will be applied to the wound. If your skin reacts to mould spores, your doctor will be able to confirm that you are allergic to mould.
Prevention of mould allergies requires that you deal with and remove the source of the mould from your home or business. You will need to deal with leaks in the walls, roof, or basement, and you might need to have someone come and inspect your home for water seeping into the walls where you cannot see it and causing mould overgrowth.
If you work in an industry that exposes you to mould on a regular basis, you should start wearing a mask when you are at work and wearing protective gear like gloves to try and keep your exposure to a minimum.
Treatment of mould allergies involves the use of antihistamines to calm the strong immune response of the body to the presence of mould spores. You might also be given corticosteroids to take if there is extensive swelling or inflammation in the body. Nasal sprays and oral decongestants can also be prescribed to help deal with post nasal drip and sinus discomfort. Montelukast (Singulair) is another common medication that can help block the action of leukotrienes which are made by the immune system to stimulate the production of mucus in the body.