There are thousands of types of molds and yeasts in the fungus
family
.
Yeasts are single cells that divide to form clusters. Molds are made of many cells that grow as branching threads called hyphae. Although both can probably cause allergic reactions, only a small number of molds are widely recognized offenders. The seeds or reproductive pieces of fungi are called spores. Spores differ in size, shape, and color among types of mold. Each spore that germinates can give rise to new mold growth, which in turn can produce millions of spores. What is mold allergy?
when inhaled, tiny fungal spores, or sometimes pieces of fungi, may cause allergic rhinitis.
You’ve probably heard the term pollen count or mold count, especially during allergy season. This is because the count of pollen and mold spores in the air can have an impact on people with allergy symptoms. Thankfully, there are sources that provide pollen and mold counts and even in some cases, the types of pollen and mold.
If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. That’s why inhaling mold spores, whether outdoors or indoors, can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms may include nasal congestion, sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. 4.
When should I see my healthcare provider about mold allergy?
If you have asthma, it’s important to know what triggers an attack. When your doctor knows your triggers, they can give you more effective treatment. In fact, if the plan is to use allergen immunotherapy, it’s essential that they know exactly what you’re allergic to. You might already have heard of allergen immunotherapy, which is also known as desensitisation or hypo-sensitisation.
It helps with environmental allergies: dust, pollen, fungal spores, animal dander and even insect bites. It involves exposure to increasingly large amounts of the allergen, and it can be very effective against asthma and allergic rhinitis, which is often called hay fever.