Asthma and Allergy Physiology
Childhood asthma and allergies are both examples of hypersensitive immune systems. The body's immune system is designed to help protect against infections and foreign objects. In the case of patients with allergies and/or asthma, the immune system is unusually responsive. This causes it to overreact in response to normally harmless stimuli. When the immune system reacts to these allergens, it causes inflammation of the airways and release of certain chemicals, such as histamine. Together, this reaction leads to the symptoms of asthma and childhood allergies. Often hypersensitivity of the immune system is present in children as their immune systems are still developing.
The Role of Mold
Molds are a type of fungi that are able to grow both indoors and outdoors. Some molds can be a serious problem for children with asthma and allergies because the spores from the mold can activate their immune system. Molds grow best in damp and humid conditions, so if you have a wet or damp spot in your house, mold will be able to grow indoors. Molds that grow outside tend to have a seasonal pattern of growth, which mean that your child's asthma or allergies will be at their worst from the beginning of spring till the first frost of the year.
The Effect of Mold
When most children inhale mold spores, the cells that line their airways get irritated. Children with asthma or allergies, however, will experience a more severe inflammatory reaction. In asthmatic children, the immune system will secrete chemicals that cause the muscles around the airways to constrict, which makes it difficult to breathe and can lead to wheezing. This reaction will also cause cells in the lungs to secrete mucus, which can lead to coughing. Children who are allergic to molds will have a similar process occur in their nose. Smooth muscle in the nose will restrict the airway, leading to congestion, and additional mucus will be produced, leading to a runny nose.
