About 5 percent of Americans will have allergic reactions in their airways from mold and mildew at some point in their lifetimes, according to researcher Brian Hardin in the May 2003 issue of "Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine." The most common molds and mildew that cause allergies are penicillum, aspergillus, cladosporium and alternaria. It is possible that you are allergic only to a specific type of mold or mildew, and will not have a reaction to other types, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. However, people who show an allergic response to mold and mildew may also be allergic to other airborne allergens such as pollen, dander and dust mites. Because of this, symptoms of allergy to mold and mildew will appear similar to other types of airborne allergies.
Breathing Problems
You may experience breathing problems on inhaling airborne spores from the fungi if you are allergic to mold and mildew. Mold-induced asthma symptoms may be immediate and include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness. Immediately get away from the place of exposure, especially if you feel the symptoms getting worse. If you can't avoid contact, wear a dust mask when working in places infested with mold, such as damp basements or around dead plants and leaves, advices the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, children who lived in homes where mold was a problem when they were infants have a high risk for developing asthma at a younger age. Thoroughly clean moldy places if there are children in the home, suggests the ACAAI.
Nasal Irritations
Your allergic reaction to mold and mildew may include characteristic symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as sneezing, postnasal drip, runny or clogged nose, and itching of the roof of the mouth and/or ears. According to the Mayo Clinic, one complication of mold and mildew allergy is allergic fungal sinusitis, where the fungus lodges and grows in the sinuses. See a health specialist if your symptoms persist for more than a week and get considerably worse.
Eye Irritations
Mold and mildew allergy can cause allergic conjunctivitis, more commonly known as "pink eye." Symptoms include redness, itchy, teary eyes and swollen eyelids. The best defense, suggests the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, is to get away from the place of contamination and avoid molds and mildews altogether. Consult an allergist or a doctor if your symptoms persist.
Complications
According to Dr. Hardin, common allergic reactions to mold and mildew are rhinitis or asthma and their related symptoms. Sinusitis due to fungal growth in the nasal passages is a rare complication. Other complications of exposure to mold and mildew include rashes, hives and other skin reactions that result from fungal infection.
References
- "Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine"; Adverse human health effects associated with molds in the indoor environment; Brian Hardin; May 2003.
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America : Mold Allergy
- American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Visible Mold Puts Infants at Risk for Asthma Development
- Mayo Clinic: Mold Allergy
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