Mold Allergy.

A mold allergy is an adverse reaction to various types of mold and mildew that can be found in your home or office. They can also grow outdoors. Mold and mildew often grow in areas that are humid or damp. It is common for it to grow in areas you wouldn’t think to look like behind your refrigerator, in the walls, and under baseboards. The kitchen, basement, and bathrooms are the most likely places to find mold and mildew in your home. Outdoors mold and mildew grow on logs, in piles of leaves, and under the porch area. They are a type of fungi that reproduce and multiple.

The spores are what is in the air and results in your mold allergy. The mold allergy may be mild or it can make a person very ill depending on the type of mold and the severity of it. A mold allergy can be overlooked because it has several similar symptoms to other types of allergies. A key indicator of a mold allergy is that it never seems to go away where a seasonal allergy will come and go.

Pay attention to where your symptoms are worse. Do you feel terrible in your home but better when you go outside? Do you feel good when you take a few days off work but feel the effects of a mold allergy when you return to work? There are home testing kits available to find out if you have a mold allergy. You can also hire someone to come in and take a look for you. If you believe your mold allergy is the result of something at work, talk it over with your supervisor. Chances are other employees may be experiencing the same thing. If your employer refuses to investigate consider reporting the issue to the local health department or your state Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

There are many degrees of a mold allergy that you may develop. Most people who are allergic to mold also suffer from other types of allergies. This can make the mold allergy harder to identify. Some people are fine except for their mold allergy. The severity of it depends on the type of mold, how much of it there is, and how long you are exposed to it. Another reason it is hard to differentiate between a mold allergy and other allergies is because the symptoms of both include sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, congestion, and coughing. A mold allergy is commonly mistaken for hay fever.

It is recommended that you see a doctor to diagnose the types of allergies you have. If a mold allergy is suspected tests can be done on you as well as your home and work environment. To get rid of mold, use rubber gloves and a face mask. Try to stay as far away from mold spores as possible. If mold is found in your home or office avoid going into the environment if possible. You can prevent mold and mildew from breeding in your home and office by placing a fan in the bathroom, taking care of water leaks, avoid having carpet in your bathroom, and wash your toilets, sinks and bath tubs often to prevent fungus from building.