Do I Have A Mold Allergy?

As far as you know, do you have mold in your home?

As far as you know, are you exposed to mold at work?

Do your symptoms occur when you are exposed to mold, outdoors, at work or at home (in your basement, bathroom, or kitchen)?

Do you sneeze or have runny or stuffy nose?

Do you have itchy eyes, nose and throat?

Do you cough?

Do you have watery eyes?

Do you have dry, scaly skin?

Does exposure to mold triggers or aggravates your asthma symptoms (difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or wheezing)?

Have you eat food in which mold has started to grow?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have a mold allergy. Mold is a type of fungus that can be found both indoors and outdoors. It likes damp places, such as the bathroom, basement, kitchen, trash cans, or piles of rotten leaves. The mold spreads easily by releasing small spores into the air. All people inhale a certain amount of mold every day, which usually does not cause problems. The level of mold spores is higher in summer, when the air is warm and humid, and lower in winter when the air is cold. So, people allergic to outdoor mold can have seasonal allergies.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have a mold allergy. Mold allergy, like any other type of allergy, is the result of a hypersensitive immune response to specific mold spores. Your immune system treats these spores as allergens (harmful substances) and produces chemicals like histamine to fight them. There are about 1,000 types of mold in the U.S. The symptoms are often similar to hay fever. Exposure to mold often occurs during certain seasonal changes, especially in the fall. Indoor molds can cause allergy symptoms throughout the year. A diagnosis is based on a skin prick test and blood tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have a mold allergy. Mold allergies are usually not a serious medical condition, but they can be extremely unpleasant, especially if they occur throughout the year. If you are allergic to one type of mold, it does not automatically mean that you will be allergic to another. The outdoor mold cannot cause asthma, but it worsens the asthma symptoms in people who already have this condition. Treatment involves avoiding exposure to the mold, which often can be difficult. Your allergist may prescribe antihistamines and decongestants to relieve symptoms. Wear a dust mask while working at the yard.