Mold spores get into your nose and cause rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms.
They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma. Symptoms can include:
itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth
red and watery eyes
swelling around the eyes
if you have asthma and are allergic to mold, you may have allergic asthma. This means mold triggers your asthma symptoms. Mold allergy can cause an allergic reaction right away. But in some cases, it may cause delayed symptoms. 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.
When it comes to allergies, not all fungi are created equal, according to a study by university of cincinnati researchers published in the september 2006 issue of pediatric allergy and immunology. Exposure to certain fungal spores can make children more susceptible to developing allergies to mold, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or foods, the study revealed. On the other hand, exposure to other types of fungal spores may be protective. Fungal samples were collected in 2003 and 2004 from the homes of 144 infants under age 10 months as part of the five-year cincinnati childhood allergy and air pollution study, supported by the niehs.
Molds produce spores. Allergies happen when your immune system is very sensitive to outside substances, such as mold spores. Your body produces antibodies against the mold spores. As you’re repeatedly exposed to the mold spores over time, your body sees the mold spores as something to be destroyed and your immune system creates bigger reactions to protect you. It’s also possible to allergic to fungi in food, like mushrooms or fermented foods. This type of allergy generally causes local symptoms in the mouth and can cause rashes or even affect breathing.
Can Mold Affect My Asthma?
While there are 100,000 different types of molds, not all cause allergy symptoms.
Some of the most common mold that result in allergies include: alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium, and penicillium. An allergy to aspergillus can be particularly problematic for people with chronic lung diseases. There is a rare condition known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or abpa which is caused by a hypersensitivity to aspergillus. Abpa affects approximately 1-2% of people with asthma.
Helminthosporium allergy can lead to several complications, including chronic sinusitis, asthma exacerbation, and allergic fungal sinusitis. These complications can significantly affect the quality of life and may require additional medical interventions. Chronic sinusitis is a persistent inflammation of the sinuses that can be triggered by mold allergies. Individuals with a helminthosporium allergy may experience prolonged episodes of sinusitis, characterized by congestion, sinus pressure, and a reduced sense of smell. Asthma exacerbation is another complication. Mold allergies can trigger asthma attacks or worsen existing asthma symptoms. Allergens from helminthosporium can cause the airways to tighten, leading to shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
Austin, texas, july 9 /prnewswire/ -- lake levels are higher and the normally brown austin roadside is green and lush, but for allergy sufferers summer showers can increase their exposure to allergenic mold spores. Molds can be found inside and outside the home. Along with pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds, molds are an important trigger of allergic rhinitis, affecting nearly 40 million americans, according to the american academy of allergy, asthma & immunology (aaaai). "mold spores contain allergens, substances that some immune systems recognize as dangerous," said henry legere, md of greater austin allergy (contact www. Austinallergist. Com ).
To properly diagnose an allergy to mold, a physical examination will be performed and a full medical history will be taken by one of our board-certified allergists. It is also likely that you will need allergy skin prick testing. This test uses diluted amounts of allergens that are applied to the skin with tiny punctures. If you are allergic, you will have a localized allergic reaction and a raised bump (hive) will develop on your skin. Skin prick testing is the most common method of allergy testing. It takes less than 20 minutes for results to show. You will experience some itching during the test while the allergens are reacting, but it will subside shortly.
A mold allergy can make you feel pretty miserable, with symptoms that mimic hay fever or may bring on an asthma attack with symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. This can happen any time of year and may occur inside or outside. If you wonder if you may have a mold allergy, you can undergo a skin or a blood test to diagnose it. Treatments for mold allergies range from medications to ease symptoms to immune therapy to reduce sensitivity to mold. Still, mold prevention may ultimately be your best bet.