Mold Allergies

If your family has allergies like mine does all year round, you could be allergic to mold spores. And unfortunately molds are everywhere, so youll need to take the necessary steps to get rid of mold in your home in order to minimize your familys allergies. The first thing you should do however is identify whether you are dealing with an allergy caused by mold or if its something else.

Mold, also known as fungus, generally causes an allergic reaction when the spores of it are inhaled. Most of us who are allergic to mold often experience allergy symptoms during the summer months. However, if your home has a serious mold problem allergies can occur year round. There are literally thousands of different types of mold growing around us but, there are basically 12 types that can cause allergies. They are, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Helmin thosporium, Penicillium, Mucor, and Rhizopus.

Most people who are allergic to mold are also allergic to other substances like animal dander and pollen. However, there are also people who are only allergic to specific types of mold. And those who experience allergies often have a family history of them. However, you can also be at risk if youve been exposed to mold whether at your work or at home.

Those who are allergic to the fungi may experience symptoms such as dry skin, congestion, itching, nasal discharge, sneezing and watery eyes. Everyones allergy symptoms will vary and they may range from mild to severe. Allergy symptoms may only flare up during certain times of the year or they may be present year-round.

When allergies are severe they may also cause asthma. And in some cases mold may cause a severe asthma attack. But they can also cause a serious illness known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. When an allergy such as this or a severe asthma attack happens, a doctor should be seen immediately.

The allergy symptoms can easily be treated as long as they are not severe. In general allergy sufferers should avoid contact with the mold spores. Always wear some form of protection such as a dust mask and goggles if you must be near mold. For most allergy sufferers a simple decongestant or antihistamine can relieve many of the symptoms. For our household, we use a nasal spray and sometimes an over the counter allergy medication when our symptoms flare up. However, for some allergy sufferers this simply isnt enough.

In order to reduce the allergy symptoms, you need to remove the mold that is causing the problem in your home. If you live in a home that has excess amounts of moisture or you live in an area where the humidity is high you most likely have mold growing somewhere in your home. And just because you cannot see it doesnt mean its not there. This type of fungi can grow almost anywhere including in the attic, behind walls, wallpaper and even under your carpet.

To reduce a mold outbreak, look for sources where growth may occur. Check for leaky faucets, pipes, and other moisture prone areas, and repair them. Remove mold growth from drywall, carpet, crawl space areas, attics and other areas were molds may be a problem. Remove carpet for moisture problem areas such as your bathroom and kitchen. Consider paint in your bathroom and kitchen wall rather than applying wallpaper.

Install exhaust fans whenever possible or open windows when you plan to do a lot of cooking and when showering. Consider investing in dehumidifiers to minimize moisture in the air. A dehumidifier is especially helpful in basements.

See the article here:
Mold Removal Review

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October 27, 2014 at 10:00 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Mold Remediation