If you have Mold Allergy then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. Mold spores are in your environment year round. Fresh air contains more mold spores than pollen. The higher the humidity the higher the mold counts.
When molds or fungi reproduces it sends tremendous numbers of spores into the air similar to plants releasing pollen into the air for reproductive purposes. Mold spores are microscopic in size and easily become airborne and will travel throughout the central air and heading system. If you are allergic to mold spores then whey come into contact with the skin or are inhaled, they spores trigger an allergic reaction.
Molds and fungi like an environment that is dark, damp and has a good food supply. Molds and fungi live off of decomposing plant and animal material. You home can become a prime breading ground for mold and fungi. Most homes have a large quantity of decomposing plant material, its call wood. Add a little bit of moisture from the air, rain leaking into the walls, or from a leaky pipe and the inside of your walls become a prime breading area.
Other areas in the home that you should look for molds that are commonly overlooked are foam pillows, garbage cans, refrigerator door gaskets, refrigerator cooling coils, the drip pan under refrigerators, under sink cabinets, closets, storerooms, air conditioner units, washing machines, dryer vents, and carpets.
Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, headaches, congestion in the lungs, hives, and itchy and watery eyes.
A few years back home were being built in the Southern United States that used foam board as insulation with no air spaces to let in air. This type of insulation can act as a wick for any water on the floor and as a result Black Mold started to grow. This type of mold is extremely toxic and can be deadly for mold allergy suffers. When Black Mold infests a building, mold spores are continuously releases into the air and will easily travel throughout the central air and heading system.
For anyone with a predisposition to being allergic to mold, a home infested with Black Mold can become a lethal environment. Killing all Black Mold in a home, once it is well established is next to impossible and the best solution is to remove your self from the toxic environment.
Treatment includes cleaning of all of the hot spots for mold activity mention previously. Use mold killing solution on bathroom tiles, shower curtains, shower stalls, around the bathtub and toilet tank and always use the exhaust fan to reduce the humidity levels when you are using the bathroom and kitchen.
Add mold inhibitor to paint and repaint the kitchen and all bathrooms. Never use a carpet in the bathroom. Tile or linoleum is easy to clean and will not trap water. Keeping the humidity below 40 percent will help to deter mold growth. Invest in a good quality dehumidifier for all rooms that are use most often.
Air cleaners can make a really big difference in the severity and frequency of allergy attacks. The central heating system should have an electrostatic air filter to distribute clean air through out the house. These electrostatic air filters trap microscopic allergens. Consider investing in a HEPA room air cleaner for all bedrooms and in the family room thus reducing reactions for Mold Allergy.
Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating the allergy symptoms such as Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Quercitin.
Vitamin E accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system. Vitamin E can be taken internally or applied as a lotion to the affected areas of the skin.
Aloe Vera will help rejuvenate and tone skin all over. A naturally cooling gel, the Aloe Vera botanical ingredients work together to stimulate the blood circulation and naturally soften the skin.
Quercitin is a well-known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.
David Cowley has created numerous articles on allergies. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to allergies and how to treat them. Visit http://www.allergies-team.com
Mold Allergy
Attack Against Allergy Mold
Attack Against Allergy Mold
Certain individuals who suffer from allergies, especially
certain seasonal allergies, may gain relief at different points in the year. But unfortunately, for people who suffer from an allergy mold, the suffering can continue unabated year round.
Mold spores are released into the environment in cold, dry weather, as well as in humid conditions. Reactions to an allergy mold usually occur during the summer months, but because mold has the ability to grow in various locations, reactions could surface at any time throughout the year.
Although there are many different types of molds, only a small few will cause an allergy mold. Outdoor mold will thrive on damp leaves, rotting bark, or grass. Indoor molds may develop in damp areas of the home such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or attics.
People who suffer from an allergy mold will exhibit the same symptoms as normal allergy sufferers, such as skin irritation, chronic sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and chest and nasal congestion. A doctor will perform a skin test to receive a specific allergy mold diagnosis. Once diagnosed, a treatment plan to attack the ongoing symptoms and prevent future reactions will be developed.
The first step in attacking an allergy mold is to eliminate possible substances within the home that contain mold or could produce mold in the future. A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter attachment should be contained in the central air conditioning unit in order to catch mold spores before they circulate throughout the home. The home should have proper ventilation and contain exhaust fans inside of the bathrooms. Carpet should be removed from any areas that could possibly become wet or damp. Sinks, tubs, and kitchens should be scrubbed and cleaned frequently due to the speed of mold growth.
Humidity levels within the home can be decreased by the installation of a dehumidifier or by increasing the temperature in order to minimize dampness. Any possible leaks within the home should be repaired as soon as possible to eliminate the possibility of mold growth in certain areas. Any water should drain away from the foundation of the home to eliminate wet plants, grasses, or leaves from allowing mold growth. Assuring that damp areas are dry can prevent spores from filtering into the air and producing an allergy mold reaction.
If all of the above measures have been taken to reduce the presence of mold, there are other allergy mold treatments available. Certain medications can eliminate allergy mold reactions. Some over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, or decongestants, can reduce symptoms. For severe allergy mold, a doctor may need to recommend a prescription strength allergy treatment.
Attacking the allergy mold by staying away from possible growth of spores, taking precautionary cleaning measures, making speedy repairs within the home, protecting yourself with medications, and even using a face mask when you are within contact of mold spores can lead to successful allergy mold relief. But, if symptoms still arise, a doctor may need to recommend another form of treatment or medication. Talking to your doctor about the allergy mold and the specific symptoms associated with it can mean success in the battle against mold.
For more information on allergies try visiting http://www.theallergyeffect.com/ - a website that specializes in providing allergy related tips, advice and resources to including information on mold allergy
Mold Allergy- Prevention Tips
A mold is a group of microscopic fungi found on vegetation or animals. The mold spores can be transmitted through air or water. Like pollen, the fragments of the spores created by the molds proliferate through the air causing nasty side effects such as wheezing, eye watering, coughing and asthma. In some instances the effect of mold spores can be life threatening, with toxic mold being on the top of the list.
So what can we do to prevent mold allergies? There are many ways to prevent mold allergies. Here are some helpful tips that could help save you and your family from household and workplace molds.
Humidity is the friend of mold. Without it, molds would not be able to propagate and produce spores. If you're in a damp environment such as the basement or garage, you might find yourself exposed to the allergic residue of molds. Most doctors would recommend that a low humidity, under 40%, would help lessen the effects. In fact dehumidifiers offer a good solution to combat the mold count. In bathrooms, turn on the exhaust fan or open the window. This will help dehumidify the bathroom. If there are water leaks, get them fixed. Doing so will prevent water seepage, which may help cultivate molds. For a damp basement, consider raising the heat and using a dehumidifier.
Another effective way to combat mold is to inhibit the airborne spores. HEPA filters can help lessen the spores in the air. In fact, there are dozens of products that aim to inhibit mold particles. For the rest of the house or building, there are electrostatic filters that reduce and remove airborne contaminants. Some are even 90% effective. A home air filter should have a HEPA label or some indicator that it filters allergens.
Another way to reduce the mold count is to go to the source - the mold. You can easily do so with cleaners that aim to eradicate it. There are plenty of chemical products that seek can destroy molds or even a simple cleaning product can erase the fungi mold that is commonly found in bathrooms. Since mold is easily detectable by the naked eye, you can sweep the area of mold. Sometimes it will smell like mildew. If you can detect the smell, you'll easily locate the source.
There are unconventional methods to treat molds today. Some have argued that massive ultraviolet is an effective means to remove spores. Others have argued that ozone generators are another method to eliminate spores. There may be compelling evidence that these products will work, but it remains to be seen if they will be safe and easy to use for the long run.
Mold allergies can be prevented by a number of weapons available to the common household member or building facilitator. Because of the dangers and allergic side effects of mold, more and more solutions are being created to stem the tide of mold. By knowing what can best prevent, destroy, and inhibit airborne spores, one can improve the quality of life by creating an allergen free environment.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Mold
Mold Allergy - Symptoms and Prevention
By G Martin
Mold allergy is less common than other allergies. Out of the thousands of types of mold in the environment, only a few dozen can cause allergic reactions that pose a threat to human health. Mold grows in all kinds of climates and thrives both indoors and outdoors; consequently, mold allergy does not have a defined season like pollen allergy does. When microscopic mold spores are inhaled, they often cause allergic rhinitis (hay fever symptoms) by irritating the lining of the nose. They sometimes reach the lungs and cause asthma.
Symptoms of mold allergy include:
• Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion
• Chronic cough
• Itchy, watery and red eyes
• Skin rashes and hives
• Sinus headaches
• Reduced lung capacity and difficulty breathing
Certain foods that are processed with mushrooms and dried fruits can aggravate the symptoms of mold allergy. Foods that contain ingredients such as yeast, soy sauce, or vinegar can also upset the body's system and worsen the symptoms.
Who is at greater risk?
People can develop a mold allergy if they or other family members have allergic reactions to substances such as pollen, dust mites or animal dander. However, similar to other allergies, suffering from one type of mold does not necessarily lead to being allergic to all molds since mold spores vary.
People whose occupations regularly expose them to mold are at a greater risk of developing allergies. Farmers, dairymen, loggers, bakers, mill workers, carpenters, greenhouse employees, winemakers and furniture repair persons are often subject to allergic reactions.
Prevention
The chances of getting a mold allergy can be significantly reduced by following these tips:
• Wear a dust mask when cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves and disturbing plant materials
• Reduce the humidity indoors to prevent fungi from growing
• Check for mold in your home
Testing
The allergy skin test is the most accurate way of discovering if one is allergic to mold. An alternative is the allergy blood test, which produces the same results as a skin test. The allergy blood test is better suited for people with very sensitive skin, or for people who take medication that may cause inaccurate skin test results.
Treatments
• Medication
Medication for mold related allergy is the same as that of pollens and other inhalant allergies, which consists of bronchodilators, antihistamines,
• Immunotherapy
A series of injections given in gradually increasing dosages can be administered to help treat mold allergy. The injections include extracts of various allergens to help the body develop a tolerance to that allergen.
Gary Martin is a freelance writer specializing in health and allergy research for the Mold Removal Unit - http://www.moldunit.com/ website.
