Allergies can affect anyone irrespective of gender and age. Molds are virtually omnipresent. Therefore, irrespective of whether you are at home or work, you are equally prone and likely to catch an allergy if you are dangerously exposed to mold. Any allergy occurs due to allergens. Mold mostly grows in areas where there are warmth and moisture. Therefore, mold mostly is found in places like bathrooms, sink cabinets in home or basements where there is lack of sunlight. Molds are micro-organisms and are invisible to the naked eye. The spores or seeds can travel through air and affect people causing their allergies to flare up.
Various symptoms of mold allergies
- Persistent watering of the eyes
- Congestion of nose and chest
- Irritation and redness in the eyes
- Constant coughing
- Sneezing
- Aggravation of symptoms of asthma
- Shortness of breath
All these symptoms are not restricted to any one season and can occur anytime. Therefore it is very important to keep an eye on the symptoms if you have any existing allergies or a history of mold allergy. In very rare cases, a mold allergy may also trigger an inflammatory response.
Diagnosis of mold allergies
In most cases, a complete check-up of the patient is done along with some blood tests. A doctor may also perform some skin tests as well. A combination of physical check-up and blood work is generally done to establish a patient’s mold allergy.
Treatment for mold allergies
The best treatment for mold allergies is prevention. Since mold allergies are not completely curable, it is best to avoid the areas and triggers that may be aggravating your mold allergy symptoms. Whenever you are suffering from any symptoms of mold allergy, it is best to stay indoors and protect yourself from allergens that are airborne. If you have to step outside, cover your face with a mask. For a complete treatment of your mold allergy, the doctor may prescribe certain medication which may include antibiotics and nasal decongestants. In some cases, anti-allergy shots may also be prescribed to give immediate relief to the patient with mold allergy. Filter attachments in the central air conditioning systems can also help in preventing mold allergies.