While many people think of various types of pollen when they think of airborne related allergies, mold is one of the most common airborne allergies out there. In fact, while you may think that a pollen allergy is causing your allergy symptoms, it could instead be a mold allergy.
Mold allergies can occur throughout the year and can lead to a variety of symptoms and related health problems. Here we’ll discuss mold allergies in detail, including everything from symptoms and triggers to ways of easing your symptoms. Hopefully, with a little insight, you’ll be able to assess your mold allergy and get it under control, rather than let it control you.
Is Mold the Problem?
Properly diagnosing your sinus-related allergy problems is instrumental in controlling or even possibly eliminating the cause of the issue. What makes the diagnosis of a mold allergy tricky for many people is that the symptoms mirror those of other allergies, such as ragweed or birch allergies.
Hay fever is often a term that is used to describe rhinitis, a sinus condition caused by airborne allergens, and it’s this condition that can be caused by a mold allergy or a wide range of other allergies. Sufferers may experience itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and so on. Mold spores can cause asthma problems for those with the condition, but other allergens can do the same.
The best way to really be sure about whether or not you have a mold allergy is to visit an allergy specialist. Apart from this, you can also gather clues from the way in which your symptoms appear. If you notice that your symptoms flare up after there has been damp weather, such as rain or fog, then this could be a sign that you’re dealing with a mold allergy.
If you have humidity problems in your home, then this might also be a sign that mold may be the culprit. You can mention this to your allergist when you visit, which might help to direct them toward the true cause. They’ll also likely perform a skin prick test in order to precisely determine what you’re allergic to.
Understanding Triggers:
When considering your triggers, they can best be evaluated by breaking them down into two categories: natural outdoor molds and indoor mold. Mold spores produced by outdoor mold tends to become a problem in the fall when the weather is damper and there is plenty of leaf matter on the ground decomposing.
This leads to seasonal allergies, with very little control available regarding the number of mold spores that become airborne. What you can do, though, is keep an eye on the mold count that most news sources will publish daily. When counts are high, you’ll know to limit your outdoor time as much as possible.
In terms of indoor mold, it can be caused by a variety of factors and can lead to year-round allergy symptoms. Unlike seasonal mold issues, indoor mold can more often than not be remedied and controlled.
In many cases, indoor mold is caused by damp conditions such as commonly found in basements or in the case of a pipe or roof leak. If the cause of the mold can be determined, then it is highly likely that the mold can be eradicated and then prevented from returning. Structural issues may need to be fixed, or you may benefit from something as simple as installing a dehumidifier.
Ease Your Mold Allergy Symptoms:
One of the best ways to help ease your symptoms is by using products such as dehumidifiers and air purifiers. If you’re having a problem with mold in your home, then you can turn to professional mold remediation and mold removal services. In addition, a variety of dehumidifiers may significantly reduce the moisture in your home and, therefore, make it a less hospitable place for mold to grow.
Humidifiers can be purchased for basements and crawlspaces, can be placed in attics, or can be used throughout the home’s interior. Air purifiers are also a great addition because they can trap airborne mold spores and provide you with cleaner air. Even if your mold allergy is related to seasonal mold that occurs outdoors, these spores can still find their way in, so air purifiers will still be a great help.
You can also perform a nasal rinse periodically in order to flush out your nasal passages. This will help your sinuses drain and reduce discomfort while at the same time helping to flush out mold spores that may be in your nasal passages. If you’re going to be working out in the yard during mold season, then it’s best to wear a dust mask to reduce the chances of exposure.