Mold Allergy? 4 Tips to Protect Your Health

With the Big Dark comes the rainy season in the Pacific Northwest, and with the rain comes the increased potential for mold. Yuck.

This can be a problem if you are allergic to molds. Here’s what to know about the most common molds and how to protect yourself from them.

What is a mold allergy?

Molds are microscopic fungi that can grow almost anywhere it is damp. They spread by releasing spores that travel through the air. If the spores land on a surface where conditions are right the spores will activate and new mold will grow. Growing molds can produce chemicals that are irritating to noses, throats, eyes and lungs.

So, if you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, don’t automatically blame pollen or your roommate’s cat — you may have a mold allergy or mold-related irritation.  

In layman’s terms, you’re considered to have a mold allergy when your immune system is overly sensitive to mold spores. According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, the most common molds that cause allergy symptoms are Alternaria, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladosporium.

Because mold spores and the chemicals they produce travel through the air, you don’t have to come into direct contact with the mold to have an allergic or irritant response — that’s why it’s important to try to tackle the problem as soon as possible.

Who is at risk for mold allergies?

Catherine Karr, MD, PhD, a professor of Pediatrics and Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington, says that for many people, mold exposure symptoms may be a nuisance, but for others, exposure to mold spores can trigger more serious problems, such as asthma attacks. You might be wondering: Why do some people have such strong reactions to mold?

Well, to start, if you have a personal or familial history of bad allergies and asthma, that can act as a risk factor for a serious allergic reaction to mold. Plus, mold itself could be a culprit for getting asthma. Karr says there’s some evidence that exposure to mold in early life may be a risk factor for the development of asthma in children.

“This emphasizes the importance of prevention and addressing mold problems quickly,” says Karr.

So, if you’ve got littles at home, this means you should be proactive in making sure your house is not a good place for mold to grow. And if you’re the one who is already sensitive to mold, there are things you can do to help you keep those symptoms in check.

Symptoms of mold exposure

First, it’s important to know the symptoms of mold exposure. Common ones include:  

• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat  
• Cough or wheeze
• Irritated eyes  
• Irritated skin

“These symptoms will be worse during the time or place when mold exposure occurs and improve at times or in places when exposure doesn’t occur,” says Karr.

In other words, if you feel a cough and stuffy nose coming when you’re home, but not when you’re out running errands, that might be a clue that a home-based factor, such as mold, is the culprit.  

Not all people have equal mold sensitivities; you may feel icky at home, but your partner or roommate may not. You might also experience dry, itchy skin, rashes or hives if you’re having an allergic reaction to mold.

What’s the deal with black mold?

You might have heard about one kind of mold being especially toxic for your health: “black mold,” which can cause “black mold syndrome.”

The syndrome is said to be due to chemicals, called mycotoxins, released by the fungal species Stachybotrys chartarum, which, like many molds, is black in color. It’s often blamed for many common symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue, and for more serious disorders, such as autoimmune diseases.

But, although black mold can cause allergies and asthma attacks like other molds, there is no evidence that household exposure to mycotoxins in the air can cause serious disease in humans, and no evidence that “black mold syndrome” exists.

4 tips to prevent mold growth

So, what is the best way to stop mold from growing?

Sometimes, you might know you already have mold because you can see it. Other times, it might not be visible. Karr says a good way to know if you have a mold problem in your home is if you smell or see mold. Signs of a mold problem in your home are a musty smell or signs of water damage or discolored patches on walls, furniture or carpet that look speckled and cottony. 

If you think you might have a mold problem, or just want to prevent it from growing in the first place, here’s what to do:

Find any leaks

If there are any active leaks or flooded areas in your home, that presents the perfect environment for mold to thrive.  

“Mold is a moisture problem, so the best way to prevent mold is to keep moisture and wetness away,” says Karr. “Leaks or flooding should be addressed right away, within 24 to 48 hours.”

Reduce the humidity

Humid conditions can also allow mold to grow. To prevent that, Karr recommends keeping your indoor air humidity between 30% and 50%. If you’re not sure where your air moisture levels are, grab a hygrometer from the store, which can give you a quick and accurate number.

If your levels are above 50%, using a dehumidifier is a good way to reduce the humidity.

Air out your home

Specifically, Karr says to open windows or run a fan while showering. A much-needed hot shower in the fall and winter months can keep your bathroom damp and humid, which, as you know by now, can promote mold growth.  

Clean your drip pans

You’ll typically find a drip pan with air conditioners, heaters and ventilation. Karr says that keeping these drip pans clean and unblocked is a must-do task to keep mold from growing. Standing water equals … you get it by now.  

Preventing mold growth is good for your health

Ultimately, mold acts as an indoor pollutant, which can negatively affect your health over time.  

By reducing moisture in your home, you can prevent mold from growing and keep your symptoms from getting out of hand. However, if you are concerned about your symptoms due to mold exposure, Karr says it’s best to discuss them with your doctor.

And once the problem is addressed, you’ll be able to breathe easier — literally and figuratively — knowing your home is an unfriendly place for mold to settle in and grow.