Eye Nose Throat And Skin Inflammation
A questionnaire study was performed with 36,541 randomized parents. It found that moldy homes were associated with inflammation in the eyes, nose, throat, and skin .
A study was done measuring reported symptoms and indoor air quality by teachers in New York State .
Reported mold or mold odors were associated with a 70% increase in reporting one of the following symptoms :
- Sinus problems
Is Asthma A Disease Caused By Mold
A study conducted titled, Mold Allergens in Respiratory Allergy: From Structure to Therapy, showed significant evidence from several epidemiological studies that show the important role that mold and fungi play in respiratory diseases such as allergies and asthma. Also, to follow this study they found that exposure to mold was found more prevalently in patients with asthma, and is a factor for the overall development of asthma. Certain molds can specifically trigger asthma and allergy symptoms, because of the production of toxins from these molds called Mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are chemicals that cause cells in the body to break down, making them a threat to whoever is exposed to this toxin. To fully becoming tainted by this toxin you would have to either touch, breathe-in or swallow the mold to be affected by the toxins.
How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.
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What Are The Treatments For Mold Allergy
In some cases, there may be ways to reduce or remove mold exposure. This may not always be possible and you may need medications.
- Avoid contact with mold.
- Take medications for nasal or other allergic symptoms. Antihistamines and nasal steroids are available over the counter without a prescription. If you have allergic asthma, talk to your doctor about which medicines may be best for you. You might also be a candidate for allergy shots. Allergy shots may help reduce symptoms and medications. Learn more about allergy treatments.
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Mould Spores When Youre Out And About
Its not easy to avoid mould spores altogether when youre out and about, so make sure youre taking your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed. This means youre less likely to react to any of your asthma triggers, including mould.
But you could also cut your risk by:
- avoiding areas such as woodlands, parks, or gardens in the autumn when there are more mould spores around
- going for park or country walks on cold, dry, windy days – avoid warm, damp weather when theres more risk of mould spores
- clearing up in the garden so fallen leaves or rotten plant materials dont build up, and be careful turning the compost heap when you’re gardening, as there can be spores there too.
Make sure you carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times so youre ready to deal with asthma symptoms quickly if you get them, says Dr Andy.
Next review due January 2023
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How Do Molds Get In The Indoor Environment And How Do They Grow
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
Remember Idiopathic Simply Means That The Idiot Cannot Find The Pathology
I had written ar article about a family of six from Visalia, California that became a family of 5 after they lost their 16-month-old boy to what clearly looks like a case of toxic mold exposure. The parents and siblings experienced multiple health conditions associated with the mold exposure. The coroners office had found the dangerous mold known as Aspergillus versicolor by PCR-DNA analysis in the lungs and brain of the deceased child. Aflatoxin was detected in his lungs, while monocyclic trichothecenes were identified in the lungs, liver, and brain.
The family had lived in a water-damaged home for 8 years that tested positive for many toxic molds such as Stachybotrys, Aspergillus/Penicillium, Cladosporium and Chaetomium. The home was in such a bad condition that the Fresno County Department of Health required the family to move out. The home was eventually demolished because of mold contamination and construction defects. The official cause of death was listed by the coroners office as respiratory failure with pulmonary bleeding and hemosiderosis. Both pulmonary bleeding and hemosiderosis have been associated with toxic mold exposure.
One of the symptoms of aspergillosis is nosebleeds, severe bleeding from your lungs and coughing up blood or brownish mucus plugs.
- Facial swelling on one side
- Skin lesions
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Mold Spores Galore: Extreme Mold Allergies In Delaware Valley
Mold allergy, allergic reactions to mold spores, are on the rise in the United States causing misery for perhaps one in three individuals with allergies and/or allergic asthma. Last week in the Delaware Valley alone, Dr. Dvorin reported extreme outdoor mold counts for several consecutive days, with nearly 9000 mold spores per cubic meters of air / 24 hours. The reported high mold counts may provoke severe allergic and asthma symptoms for people in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
Drawing on decades of expertise in identifying, evaluating and treating the common and uncommon manifestations of mold allergy, The Asthma Centers board-certified allergists present Mold Spores Galore: Extreme Mold Allergies in Delaware Valley.
Mold Allergies And Asthma
Mold. It grows on bathroom walls, it makes basements smell bad, and it ruins perfectly good loaves of bread. And if you’re allergic to it, there’s a good chance that mold will add to your misery.
The spores from common molds function much like the pollen from ragweed. If you inhale the spores, you could get a case of allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever — an unpleasant combination of runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itching, congestion and coughing. And if you have asthma, the spores may trigger attacks. More than 80 types of mold have been associated with lung, nose, and throat problems, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology . It’s possible that mold may even lead to the development of asthma.
Fortunately, only about 25 percent of people with allergies are allergic to mold, according to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine . The organization estimates that 10 percent of Americans are allergic to mold, and for about half of them, the allergy may result in an actual illness. The good news is that you can reduce your exposure to mold with a few simple steps.
What is mold, and where does it grow?
Mold is a type of fungus, a diverse kingdom that also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Unlike plants, molds and other fungi feed on organic material, whether it’s a rotting tree or a carpet in your basement, by breaking them down and absorbing their nutrients.
How do I know if I have a mold allergy?
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Runny Nose And Postnasal Drip
Your bodys overproduction of mucus can reveal itself not only through a persistent cough but also through your bodys attempts to dispose of it. The body continually produces mucus, a viscous fluid that serves to lubricate as well as clean. Its the second of these two functions that is pertinent to the allergic response. Mucus captures foreign invaders, like viruses and bacteria, and flushes them out, often harmlessly and unnoticeably. But when the body produces more mucus in the respiratory system than it can quietly dispose of, you notice the output in the form of a runny nose or postnasal drip. Whether excess mucus drains through the nostrils or down the throat, the discomfort it creates can indicate that the body is responding to the presence of mold.
How Is Aspergillosis Diagnosed
Your doctor will probably ask you about your medical history, including the type and duration of your symptoms and whether you have a cough or a fever. It may be difficult to diagnose the condition, because symptoms may resemble those of other diseases.
Some of the diagnostic tests that may be required include:
- Skin and blood tests: These tests are useful to diagnose ABPA, especially in cases where the patient has asthma, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis. The doctor or technician injects a small quantity of aspergillus antigen into the skin, usually the lower arm. A small red bump at or near the site will show that you have an allergic reaction. In addition, a sample of your blood might be analyzed to see if certain antibodies are present that indicate an allergic reaction.
- Imaging tests: A chest X-ray or computerized tomography scan may be performed to examine the lungs.
- Sputum culture: A sample of sputum might be stained and tested to see if aspergillus fungus is present.
- Biopsy: A small sample of tissue is removed from the lungs or sinuses to diagnose invasive aspergillosis.
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Why Does Mold Adversely Affect Infants And Children
Mold mycotoxins can affect anyone, but they can be worse for people who have weakened or undeveloped immune systems such as infants and children. The average umbilical cords of American-born babies contain 250-300 known carcinogens. In addition, trans-placental exchange of pathogens and toxic metals can suppress the immune system even further.
One of the main reasons that children are so vulnerable to mold and these toxins is because their immune system is developing from birth to adolescence. A childs immune system is not fully developed and any disturbance or foreign substance brought into their bodies like man-made drugs and mold mycotoxins will increase the risk for abnormal immune reactions such as allergy like symptoms, asthma, inflammation and gut issues to name a few of the mold-related symptoms.
What people need to understand is that children who are adversely affected from mold exposure are not really having an allergic reaction, they are having an immune reaction to the mold. This is why a 1990 Mayo Clinic Study Shows Mold as the Cause of Nearly All Chronic Sinus Infections.
One of the lead researchers in that study, Dr. Sherris had said, Fungus allergy was thought to be involved in less than ten percent of cases. Our studies indicate that, in fact, fungus is likely the cause of nearly all of these problems. And it is not an allergic reaction, but an immune reaction.
What To Do If You Find Mold Growth In Your Home
If you have asthma, exposure to mold creates serious health risks. If you notice mold in your home, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Most serious mold problems should be mitigated by a professional.
- Figure out where the moisture is coming from, and fix that problem first. Remember, you may not always see mold, but it may be present if you enter a room and smell musty, stale air. Also, note that mold can be hidden by wallpaper or tile.
- The most likely areas are those with high humidity and moisture, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or basement.
- Check rooms with water sources, as leaky pipes in walls are another common place for mold to accumulate.
- Scrub mold off from affected areas with detergent and water, clean the area, and then let it dry completely.
- Certain materials tend to hold moisture and may need to be replaced, among them sheetrock, ceiling tiles, and carpet.
- While you can easily clean a little mold in the bathroom area, you may want to consider a professional cleanup for anything over 10 square feet.
- Make sure any areas you are working in are well ventilated or you may increase your acute exposure to molds.
- Use an air conditioner during the most humid months.
- Avoid carpet in areas like bathrooms.
- Consider using paint that is “mold-resistant.”
- While the trend in home building and remodeling is to make homes “airtight” in order to make them more energy-efficient, older houses that “breathe” more are less likely to harbor mold.
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Bad Mold Vs Good Mold
Wondering whether some molds can be of any good like good bacteria? Yes. They are not bad always. Because of their pharmacological activity, some of the mycotoxins are useful as antibiotics.17 Under correct conditions, some molds are also used in the production of cheese. But, you cannot eat the fungi that grow on the cheese at home. They may result in allergic reactions. Outdoors, molds are considered to be a good thing. However, inside your home, if they find a sustainable food source to grow they become dangerous.
Mold In The Workplace
Some workplaces, such as poorly ventilated factories, greenhouses, and vineyards, may house large amounts of mold.
Any workplace that contains lots of old paper products, such as used book stores, may be a source of mold. Paper contains cellulose, an organic food source that certain mold species thrive upon. Old books thatve been housed in humid conditions may be filled with millions of mold spores.
Farms and stables may also harbor large amounts of moldy hay. Mold toxins often develop in hay after a delayed harvest. Hay that contains mold is dangerous for humans to breathe in and for horses to eat.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Mold allergies are progressive. The more contact you have, the more likely you are to experience severe symptoms.
In some instances, no symptoms or only vague symptoms of mold exposure may occur. These can go unnoticed, especially in babies.
Even without immediate, noticeable symptoms, long-term health effects, such as asthma, have been associated with mold. Its not currently known whether this is a direct cause of mold or merely an association.
Mold may cause:
- skin irritation
- sporotrichosis, a skin infection that starts out as a small pink, red, or purple bump on the skin
- itchy, red eyes
Mold Allergy And Outdoor Mold Counts
Molds, also known as fungi, produce spores and other fungal particles. Outdoor mold spores play a major role in causing most mold allergy symptoms. Like pollen, mold spores are airborne and become abundant in the warmer weather months. Unlike pollen, which typically is released in the greatest numbers early in the day, mold spore release depends three factors: 1) type of mold present, 2) heat and 3) humidity. Dry air spores such as Cladosporium or Alternaria release the most spores during the afternoon hours when the weather conditions are hot and dry. Wet air spores , such as Ascospores and Basidiospores release the largest numbers of spores during pre-dawn hours when there is high humidity.
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How Can You Avoid Allergens
The most common allergic triggers of asthma are house dust-mites, pets, pollen and mould.
Even though complete allergen avoidance does not cure asthma, reducing exposure to your allergen triggers may improve your asthma control and make your asthma symptoms easier to manage. Bear in mind that efforts to avoid or reduce allergen exposure can be costly, time-consuming and impractical.
Efforts to reduce to avoid allergen exposure are best attempted if:
- your doctor has advised you that you have a proven allergy to the trigger
- exposure to that trigger causes your asthma symptoms
- you are motivated to try several allergen exposure reduction measures following just one measure is unlikely to make a difference.
Remember, allergen avoidance or reduction strategies should be used in combination with your recommended medicines and do not replace your doctors advice.
What Weather Worsens Asthma
Some people’s asthma symptoms get worse at certain times of the year. For others, a severe storm or sudden weather change can trigger a flare-up. Cold, dry air is a common asthma trigger and can cause bad flare-ups. Wet weather encourages the growth of mold, and wind can blow mold and pollen through the air.
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How Are We Exposed To Mold
Mold needs organic matter to feed upon and moisture in order to grow. When growing conditions are right, mold releases spores and volatile organic compounds into the air, which may make some people feel sick.
Mold spores may be breathed in or absorbed through skin. Mold can also grow on food and may be hazardous if ingested.
Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home
- Wash, disinfect, and dry all surfaces.
- Don’t let water build up anywhere.
- Repair any leaks inside your home and dry up any moisture from them.
- Ventilate, preferably to the outside of your home with exhaust fans, the source of any moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and other appliances.
- Put plastic over any dirt crawl spaces and make sure the crawl spaces are well ventilated.
- Limit the number of indoor plants in your home.
- Maintain the relative humidity in your home at less than 50% this may require air conditioning or a dehumidifier.
- Keep drip pans on appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners clean and dry.
- Install an air filtration system or air purifiers, such as one with a high-efficiency particulate air filter, to remove mold and other particulates such as dust, pollen, and bacteria from the air.
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