The severity of allergic reactions to mold spores depends upon indoor and outdoor environmental factors, some of which can be controlled by patients. Signs of mold allergies arise after humans ingest allergenic reproductive spores or pieces of hyphae, the mold structures themselves.
Fungus allergy symptoms indicate seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, an abnormal immune system condition that generates respiratory and inflammatory problems. Histamines sent to the mucous membranes trigger fluid migration and swelling that create classic hay fever-type symptoms.
Sneezing
Sneezing may indicate allergic reactions to fungi. When mold spore allergens invade the nasal mucous membrane and sinuses to a certain degree, the body's disease-fighting cells release histamine. As the Cleveland Clinic reports, histamine travels through the bloodstream to the brain, signaling it to initiate sneezing.
Sneezing allergy symptoms are meant to expel the offending particles of mold and restore equilibrium to the body. Intense bouts of sneezing may accompany high mold spore counts indoors or outdoors.
Runny Nose
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America notes that patients who experience nasal allergy symptoms all summer may be reacting to mold spores. Perennial mold allergies can perpetuate a runny nose at any time of year.
Histamines allow fluid to migrate into and accumulate in the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes. This translates to nasal discharge through the nose, or runny nose symptoms, and through the throat, known as postnasal drip.
Congestion and Swelling
As mucus accumulates and histamines ignite the body's inflammatory response, congestion occurs. MayoClinic.com reports that this may take the form of nasal congestion or sinusitis, a local swelling of the nasal sinuses. When these allergy symptoms become severe, facial and headache pain as well as difficulty breathing may develop.
Allergic reactions that cause swelling of the airways may set off asthma attacks in individuals who also have asthmatic conditions. Mold spores are small enough to draw into the lungs with a breath of air. Coughing and wheezing may indicate inflamed nasal passages and bronchi in asthma patients with mold allergies.
Eye and Nose Itching
In an allergic reaction, mold spore allergens directly contact the linings of the eyes and nose. Itching may be the first sign that people with mold allergies notice, with respiratory allergy symptoms coming on later. Histamine-induced inflammation creates the itching sensation in the affected areas.
Swelling of the eyelids may also accompany eye and nose itching. The University of Maryland notes that these and other mold spore symptoms may appear or increase after patients eat foods that contain fungi, such as dishes made with cheese, yeast or mushrooms.
