Mold Allergy
Like other common allergies, mold allergies arise when the immune system mounts a vigorous reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance(thee microscopic spores that float in the air indoors and out). And as with other allergies, mild symptoms of mold allergies can often be controlled with over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants and prescription steroid nasal sprays. In severe cases, allergy shots are generally effective.
Common symptoms of mold allergy are itchy eyes, nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, skin irritation and severe mold allergies can trigger potentially dangerous asthma attacks.
Prevention from Mold Allergies
Avoiding mold is the best way to prevent mold allergy, experts say.
This means steering of places where mold is likely to lurk: decomposing vegetation(compost piles, decaying leaves, wooded areas) as well as antique shops, flower shops, farms, cottages, greenhouses saunas, and anyplace else where warm, damp conditions prevail.
Most important, it means taking steps to ensure that your home is a mold-free zone. But cheeses and other moldy foods is not a threat to people who suffer mold allergy.
Strategies that can make a big difference in containing molds:
1. Look for Leaks
Periodically check your roof and the household plumbing. Look under sinks, inside showers, around windows and doors, and inside closets. If you have a basement, check the floor and walls for signs of water infiltration. If you find a leak, repair it right away. Sometimes pipes spring a leak within the walls or floors, so you may have to do a bit of searching to find them.
Mold invisibility doesn’t mean you are in the clear.
2. Break out the Bleach
Most indoor mold can be eliminated simply by getting rid of the mold item or by wiping the affected surface with diluted bleach (one cup of bleach per gallon of water). Be sure to wear goggles and rubber gloves. If that doesn’t work, you may want to call in a professional company that rids houses of mold.
3. Ditch the Humidifier
If you or someone you live with is allergic to mold, your goal should be to lower humidity in your home, not raise it. So forget about using a humidifier or vaporizer.
There’s no evidence that humidifiers have health benefits and lots of evidence that they promote the growth of mold.
Pick up an inexpensive moisture meter (hygrometer), and take readings throughout your home. Pay special attention to bathrooms, the basement, and kitchen.
If the humidity exceeds 50% in any room, find ways to bring it down. One possibility is to boost ventilation by installing (and using) exhaust fans. If this doesn’t do the job, get a dehumidifier.
4. Wear a Mask
Mold spores get stirred up every time you sweep, vacuum, or do yard work. To protect yourself at these times, use a vacuum cleaner with a built-in HEPA air filter, and wear a filtration mask that is rated “N95” by the National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH).
If possible, the mask should stay on for a couple of hours after you stop. It can take that long for spores to settle out of the air.
5. Rip up the Carpet
As long as there is sufficient warmth and water, mold can grow on all sorts of common household items, including wood, paper products, foam rubber, wallboard, and carpet. Indoor plants can harbor mold as well.
If mold is a problem in your home, de-cluttering can help. Also, get rid of wall-to-wall carpeting in dank basements, steamy bathrooms, and in your bedroom, where you spend so much time.
6. Fix up your Furnace
Equip your furnace with a high-efficiency filter that has a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of at least 11. Replace the filter every three months, and have your furnace serviced every six months. It’s also a good idea to put a HEPA air filter in your bedroom and in any other rooms where you spend significant amounts of time.