A person can experience mold allergy symptoms at any time of the year. These mold allergy symptoms can get worse especially in a damp weather as molds love the excessive moisture. Molds are fungi that can release spores in the air. By releasing these spores, they are able to reproduce and multiply especially in areas which are damp and dark. Moisture will provide a good breeding environment for molds.
Molds can attach themselves to almost everything, so generally we are all exposed to mold at some point. At an extremely low level of exposure, we generally don’t need to be alarmed. But this does not mean that we can ignore them. Excessive exposure to mold spores can cause allergy symptoms.
Like any other type of allergy, mold allergy is triggered by the response of our immune system. As we inhale the spores, our immune system will identify them as foreign invaders. Our body will then produce allergy-causing antibodies to fight these foreign invaders. With continued exposure to these allergens, our immune system will become overly sensitive, thus triggering episodes of mold allergies.
Mold Species That Cause Allergy
Generally, a person may not realize that their house is infested with mold. But if you are sensitive to this fungi, you might experience allergy symptoms especially in winter months. Indoor molds could be a big burden for your house and your family.
There are literally thousands of species of mold, but only a few have been associated to cause allergy. These mold species include:
- Alternaria
- Aspergillus
- Cladosporium
- Epicoccum
- Fusarium
- Helminthosporum
- Penicillium
- Phoma
- Smuts
- Rhizopus
- Mucor
Symptoms of Mold Allergy
Mold allergy symptoms may include the following, sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, irritated eyes and throat, cough and dizziness. One might experience excessive sneezing caused by continued irritation of the nose and throat. As more mold spores are inhaled, it can trigger allergic rhinitis. People may experience these symptoms immediately especially when exposed in areas like the basement or any damp room. But there are also cases where allergic reactions may appear delayed. As occurrence of mold allergy symptoms may vary from person to person, it is best to keep your home mold-free as much as possible.
Due to outdoor molds, people with mold allergy may exhibit mold allergy symptoms the entire summer. On the other hand, people with mold allergy may also exhibit symptoms all year round especially in winter due to indoor molds.
Aside from allergic rhinitis, mold allergy is often linked with asthma which can cause airway obstruction. Eventually, people might experience wheezes and difficulty in breathing. Severe cases of asthma attack may cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightening.
A common indoor and outdoor mold called Aspergillus may cause a complication called Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis. In this case, mold spores may reach the distant parts of the lungs. As the mold multiply, it may produce a “fungus ball”, which can cause severe respiratory problems. Some people might experience mold allergic symptoms or might worsen their allergy by eating foods like processed cheese or any food containing yeast.