As you know, if you have a mold allergy, the late summer can be a very uncomfortable time for you if you live in North America. You might also have persistent allergy symptoms if you live or work in a structure where mold is present.
Inhaling or aspirating mold, ingesting mold, and occasionally even touching mold can set off allergy symptoms and other conditions, depending on the type of mold. Traditional, expected allergy symptoms are just one way in which mold can affect someone with allergies. There are several ways that mold can cause problems for allergy sufferers, and some are much more problematic and dangerous than others.
Mold and Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic Rhinitis is the common allergy symptom that most folks think of when they think of mold and other allergens. The symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis include nasal congestion, irritation to the eyes and nasal passage, sneezing, coughing, and other common symptoms. This condition is often treated by medications and with allergy shots in certain cases. Removing the mold from the environment and eradicating the sources of mold are also recommended in easing or ceasing the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis.
Mold and Allergic Sinusitis
Mold and other allergens can trigger Allergic Sinusitis. These symptoms are more severe and include sinus pressure and headaches, facial soreness, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sore throat, nose bleeds, and nasal polyps. It may take up to a week for these symptoms to lessen in severity even after the mold exposure has ceased.
Allergic Sinusitis caused by mold may bring on other more severe conditions. Ear infections, sinus infections, asthma attacks, migraine headaches, and other bacterial and viral infections can start, particularly if mold exposure continues. Medications are used to ease symptoms and to treat the conditions caused by Allergic Sinusitis. Decreased mold exposure is a necessity if one wants to recover.
Mold and Asthma
Mold exposure can cause mold induced asthma. Mold can cause inflammation of the bronchial tubes, and this in turn leads to problems with the lungs and airways as the flow of oxygen is constricted. Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and asthma attacks can be caused. Mold-induced asthma and its symptoms become worse with continued mold exposure and direct contact with mold. Physical activity can also worsen the symptoms.
As this is a more serious condition, medications are quite necessary. Inhalers, antihistamines, steroids, immunotherapy, and nebulizer treatments are some of the ways medical interventions are taken to treat mold-induced asthma. Of course, reducing and eliminating mold exposure is one of the main ways to treat these symptoms.
Mold and Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
In certain cases, mold allergies can lead to lung damage. Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis can develop from exposure to Aspergillus, a species of mold commonly found in a North American household. This is essentially a mold infection where the inhaled mold is living inside the lungs. This condition causes a reduction in lung function, and particularly if untreated, it can cause permanent lung damage.
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis is treated much like asthma is to alleviate symptoms. This condition can only be treated, as there is no cure. Part of treatment is to avoid additional exposure to mold; if exposure continues, the condition will worsen and permanent damage will occur.
Conclusion
Mold and mold allergies should be taken very seriously. While the symptoms of most mold allergies are mostly irritating, certain conditions that can develop and the complications of these symptoms need to be taken very seriously. That being said, all precautions should be taken to avoid mold exposure, particularly for those with allergies and asthma. Any mold growth in the home needs to be cleaned up and removed. Causes of mold growth need to be remedied in order to keep you and your family healthy.
