Mold allergy

You can't see them, and yet they can trigger a severe allergic reaction mold spores. The fact that mold can quickly form in damp, poorly ventilated rooms such as bathrooms or basements is common knowledge. After all, everyone knows the dark spots on the shower, bathtub or basement wall that spread quickly. Even outdoors, numerous spores of various molds fly through the air, which the immune system normally parries every day.

In some people, however, the body's defenses overreact and it comes to a mold allergy. If the mold in closed rooms once begins to bloom, the mold spores multiply rapidly and are released into the air. These tiny allergens can be quite aggressive and cause respiratory distress, skin rashes and other health complaints in sufferers. In buildings with carelessly maintained air conditioning systems, the spores are additionally distributed into all rooms.

But mold spreads not only on walls, but also in potted plants, fruits, vegetables, bread and other perishable foods. So a mold allergy can be triggered not only by spores in the air, but also by eating spoiled food.

A mold allergy manifests itself through a variety of allergy symptoms that are often not even perceived as an allergic reaction at first:

• allergic rhinitis with sneezing and runny or stuffy nose
• throat scratching
• cough
• breathing difficulties
• allergic asthma 
• Eye discomfort such as itching, burning and redness
• Skin rash, hives
• Headache, Migraine
• Circulatory problems
• Nausea
• Digestive problems
• Sleepiness
• Exhaustion
• Disturbances in concentration

Often the symptoms develop gradually and are recognized late as a consequence of mold allergy. From initial respiratory problems, it can develop into severe asthma, chronic insomnia can lead to further illnesses.

Decisive, however, is the type of mold. Some cause only mild discomfort, others can even be fatal in high concentrations.

If the mold allergy is already in full swing and leads acutely to complaints, the following treatment options come into question:

• For the treatment of a mold allergy, there are various medications that are used depending on the symptom area. To treat a runny or stuffy nose, nasal sprays such as Pollival® Nasal Spray help. If, on the other hand, the eyes are very red, eye drops such as Pollival® eye drops alleviate the symptoms. Both preparations contain the antihistamine azelastine and are free of preservatives. Antihistamines are also available in tablet form. In a severe course, the doctor may prescribe medication with cortisone-like active ingredients.
• Let the doctor perform an allergy test. Only in this way you will learn which allergens are behind your complaints. Depending on the diagnosis, he will recommend a suitable therapy.
• As with all allergies, the following applies: Avoid the allergens! Do not stay in rooms with mold infestation. Look for mold in your own home and eliminate the cause of your discomfort.

What you can do in general as a precaution against a mold allergy:

• If your own living spaces are affected by mold due to water damage or poor ventilation, let a professional ran. He can recognize the different types of mold and eliminate them accordingly. Possibly a complete renovation is necessary.
• Check the soil of your potted plants. Sometimes hiding there small foci of mold, which are already enough to trigger respiratory problems.
• Thorough your food supplies and eliminate spoiled fruit, vegetables and bread.
• Empty the trash can best daily, especially organic waste quickly form mold at room temperature.
• Ventilate several times a day by keeping the windows open for a few minutes and then close them again. Tilted windows you should rather avoid in the winter. In addition, you should not let the rooms cool down, but heat evenly.
• Mold also sprouts in floors, furniture and old mattresses. Although your walls are dry, the allergy triggers can cavort here. Large cabinets should generally not be moved too close to an exterior wall.
• Humidifiers provide mold spores with a true breeding ground and subsequently distribute the allergens throughout the home. For mold allergy sufferers, such devices are therefore not suitable.

A long-term solution is also a hypo- or desensitization, also called specific immunotherapy (SIT) called. It usually lasts about three years, during which the immune system is accustomed to the allergen in small steps

Due to a permanent and untreated mold allergy, consequential damage to health can occur. Diseases can develop such as lung disease, cardiovascular disease, migraines, organ damage or even cancer. Sometimes mold can even lead to real poisoning, which must be detected and treated at an early stage. If you often feel uncomfortable in your own four walls and notice allergy symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor and take an allergy test.