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NEWS & NOTES
Written By:
Sakina N. Bharani, M.D. MOLD ALLERGY
SYMPTOMS *Stuffy nose * Sinus headache * Sneezing *Itchy & runny nose* * Post-nasal drainage *Coughing * Wheezing * Sinus infection * “I love gardening, but it makes me feel miserable,” Mrs. Jones complained to the allergist. “I have been feeling congested, having headaches and post-nasal drainage on and off for the past five years but since my eyes don’t itch, I thought it must just be recurring colds, not an allergy,” explained the 35 year-old Mrs. Jones. She had treated her symptoms with over-the-counter sprays and cold remedies. Mrs. Jones finally gave up on her over-the-counter remedies and consulted an allergist. Mrs. Jones learned that her symptoms were typical for someone allergic to molds. She was surprised to learn that eye symptoms are not prominent, as a rule, in individuals with mold allergies. Symptoms do include sneezing, itching and runny nose with post-nasal drainage, sinus congestion with headaches and sinus infection. Blockage and popping in the ear from eustachian tube obstruction are also common. UNDERSTANDING MOLDS To combat mold allergies, one must understand what molds are and how to avoid them. Molds are very troublesome allergens. They seem to always be in season, as long as there is moisture, warm temperature, darkness, and some source of organic nourishment. Molds will grow indoors and outdoors, and can cause symptoms year round. In the Midwest the outdoor mold concentration is much higher than in coastal states. Molds disappear from the air during a cold winter, especially when the ground is covered by snow. There are hundreds of molds in our environment. Some are allergenic, others can cause various diseases, and yet others are rather harmless. There are four molds that cause the most trouble. They are seasonal, from spring to late fall. HORMODENDRUM/ALTENARIA These soil molds are the most common allergenic molds in the air and they grow in the soil outdoors and in the rich soil of our house plants. PENICILLIUM/ASPERGILLUS These are common indoor molds and sometimes called storage molds. They thrive on dead vegetations especially in decaying leaves. They can also grow on garbage cans, basements, crawl spaces, bedding, and leather articles abundant in dark closets, tiles and wallpaper glue. Those individuals allergic to Penicillium mold are not necessarily allergic to medication Penicillin and vice-versa. A few others that surround us and cause allergies are: HELMINTHOSPORIUM, a fruit and vegetable mold; PULLULARIA, FUSARIA, and RHIZOPUS – all moisture molds mainly suspended in mist, fog, or rain. There are slime molds growing in the bathrooms, like PHOMA, a black mold, or green mold belonging to the algae species. Molds have tiny invisible spores that are loosened during their growth and are then inhaled, getting into our eyes, nose and lungs, causing stuffy nose, sinusitis, sinus headache, coughing, wheezing, an asthma attack, and sometimes itchy eyes, red eye lids and itchy face. Symptoms can be immediate or delayed for up to eight hours. The treatment of mold allergy depends on the identification of the source of the problem and avoidance of the same. Mold sensitivity can be confirmed after a thorough interview and appropriate skin testing.
MOLD AVOIDANCE Total mold avoidance can be difficult, if not impossible. There are, however, a number of precautions that can be taken to limit your encounters with outdoor molds and to curtail the growth of indoor molds.
OUTDOOR MOLD AVOIDANCEMold sensitive individuals should avoid: *all dead and decaying vegetation *raking leaves *grain handling operations and contact with hay stacks and feed barns *travel in rural areas, especially on dry, windy days during and after a harvest *dense vegetation near living and working quarters Remember that showers of mold may occur particularly before storms and even after frost on windy days.
INDOOR MOLD SUPPRESSION*As the molds thrive in damp, humid environment, using a dehumidifier can help to control mold growth *Fungicidal sprays and mold resistant paint in damp areas also suppress mold growth *Leaving a small electric light on in closed closets to reduce humidity
DESENSITIZATION AND MEDICATIONSFor individuals who are highly sensitive to molds and cannot avoid exposure, desensitization to the offending molds is indicated. As with many other allergies, medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, and prescription nasal sprays may be used for symptomatic relief.
PLEASE NOTE:
The information in this “News and Notes” represents general guidance in the
field of Allergy.
Nothing
herein stated shall be construed as a specific or implied treatment for an
ailment.
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