According to National Jewish Health, mold is found indoors and outdoors and grows in dark, moist areas. Mold reproduces by sending mold spores into the air that float around, much like pollen, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, or the AAAI. An allergy to airborne mold is bothersome and can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. An allergist should diagnose and provide suggested treatment.
Cause
The MayoClinic.com states that when someone is allergic to mold spores, the immune system recognizes mold as a potentially harmful substance and begins a chain reaction of fighting it off. Antibodies are released to ward off the inhaled mold spores, and these antibodies cause the release of histamine in the body. Histamine causes common allergic reaction symptoms in the eyes, throat and nose.
Symptoms
An airborne mold allergy will produce similar symptoms to other upper respiratory allergies, according to the MayoClinic.com. These include sneezing, watery eyes, hives, sinus congestion, a cough, an itch in the throat and allergy-induced asthma. Allergy-induced asthma from mold spores restricts the breathing tubes and can cause wheezing, difficulty breathing and chest pain.
Treatment
Avoiding exposure to airborne mold spores is the best treatment, according to the AAAAI, but complete avoidance is impossible. The most common treatment for an airborne mold allergy is immunotherapy where an allergist injects a person with small doses of the molds she is allergic to. Over time the amount of the allergen is slowly increased to desensitize the person's immune system to it. Other treatments may include antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants, according to the MayoClinic.com.
Prevention
National Jewish Health states that reducing mold exposure is essential to preventing an allergic reaction to mold in the air. Mold grows in damp, darkened places such as under sinks, in the bathroom and around the foundation and walkways of the home. Visible mold needs to be eliminated by using a mold-killing solution such as bleach and water and maintaining a low humidity in the house. Outdoor mold is prevented by removing all old leaves and composted materials and killing any visible mold growth.
Complications
An airborne mold allergy can lead to an asthma attack, fungal sinusitis, a fungal lung infection and inflammation in the lungs, according to the MayoClinic.com. Asthma attacks are manageable if the person has an emergency plan. If someone doesn't have an emergency asthma attack plan, the outcome could be severe. Fungal sinusitis is a sinus infection caused by mold spores which may require surgery to remove the fungus. The lungs can react to mold spores in the air by developing an infection or become inflamed. A doctor needs to be seen if someone experiences any of these symptoms.
