The human immune system, which is designed to fight off infectious and other dangerous molecules, can sometimes react abnormally to substances that might normally be harmless, resulting in an allergic reaction. Mold spores can cause allergic reactions in some people. These reactions, which can trigger respiratory and eye symptoms, can be treated in a number of ways.
Mechanism
The immune system is designed to recognize and eliminate potentially dangerous molecules. Some of this is governed by special proteins called antibodies, which are designed to bind to dangerous molecules and stimulate the rest of the immune system to attack pathogens. Patients with allergies to mold spores have a kind of antibody, known as IgE, that recognizes and binds to mold spores, the National Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology explains. In these cases, mold spores are referred to as an allergen because they are able to trigger an allergic reaction due to this abnormal immunological response.
Mold Spores
Mold spores are released as part of the mold reproductive cycle, Medline Plus notes. Patients who are allergic to mold spores can suffer from the allergy year round. Mold can live indoors in areas that are often damp, such as bathrooms, basements and washrooms. Mold can also live in stuffed animals, wallpaper, books, rugs, and fabric if the areas are damp. It can also live outside in damp vegetation, in soil and on compost heaps.
Symptoms
Allergies to mold spores can cause a condition known as allergic rhinitis, which is the result of inflammation of the nasal passages. The main symptoms of allergic rhinitis, according to the Mayo Clinic, are an itchy and runny nose as well as nasal congestion. Patients with mold spore allergies can also suffer from allergic conjunctivitis, which can result in itchy, red and watery eyes. The allergic rhinitis can also cause mucus from the nasal passage to get into the lungs, resulting in coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing.
Diagnosis
One of the most common ways of testing for an allergy to mold spores is through a skin prick test. With this test, a small amount of mold spore is put on the patient's skin and is then given access to the area just under the skin via a skin prick. If the patient has a mold spore allergy, the area around the skin prick will become red and swollen, which is also known as the "wheal and flare" reaction. Patients can also receive blood tests that will look for IgE antibodies to mold spores.
Treatment
There are a number of different ways in which a mold spore allergy can be treated. The simplest way, Medline Plus notes, is to simply attempt to avoid mold spores. If this isn't possible or is not proving to be an effective treatment, patients can take decongestants and antihistamines to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. More severe cases can be treated with corticosteroids, cromolyn and other medications that inhibit the immune system.
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