When people develop hay fever-type symptoms out of season, they may have acquired mold allergies. Dozens of allergenic mold varieties, including black mold, can cause allergic reactions when their reproductive spores and particles become airborne and ingested as humans breathe. The allegedly toxic black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, poses the same threats and provokes the same allergy symptoms as other molds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all molds should be considered unhealthy to indoor air quality and should be removed when discovered.
Evidence of Mold
It takes multiple mold growths to form a mycelium, or mold colony, large enough for humans to see. The high visibility of black mold may make it seem more prevalent than other types of mold, when in fact the species is less common, as the CDC reports. Mold allergies can produce symptoms, however, whether or not collections of telltale dark spots inhabit surfaces in humid areas of the home. Airborne mold can stay aloft indefinitely. Home mold testing kits can perhaps better detect mold as the source of allergy symptoms. For more stringent examination, the University of Maryland Medical Center relates that mold spores can be collected in air samples and identified under a microscope.
Indoor Mold Habitat
If mold allergies are suspected, but black mold is not visible, individuals should inspect their homes for likely fungal growth environments. The CDC notes that these include water-damaged upholstery or carpeting, and areas affected by water leaks or condensation. The Mayo Clinic calls indoor air humidity levels above 50 percent signs of likely mold growth.
Allergy Symptoms
Allergic reactions to mold create the same type of symptoms that occur in other forms of perennial allergic rhinitis, such as those caused by pet dander or dust mite allergens. According to the Mayo Clinic, the immune system chemical histamine triggers allergy symptoms of sneezing and runny nose. Inflammation of the mucous membranes and sinuses also causes itching in the eyes, nose and mouth, and congestion in the sinuses. These effects will vary as indoor air quality changes day to day.
Timing of Symptoms
The seasons do not govern the onset of symptoms from indoor mold allergies, notes the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, but inhabiting the home does. If symptoms improve when individuals leave home for a few days, their indoor environments become suspect. Additionally, if patients experience symptoms in winter when outdoor molds lie dormant, physicians may wish to pursue these signs and order allergy testing.
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