When around mold, especially black mold that is highly toxic and dangerous, it is common for a person to experience an allergic reaction. This is the very reason that so many people who visit the doctor thinking they have a problem with allergies get that very diagnosis, although one that is completely wrong. Mold allergy symptoms are nearly identical to other allergy symptoms, which makes it easy to understand why so many doctors miss the truth.
With the information provided, a person would be able to detect possible mold allergy symptoms so when seeing a medical professional could push to have additional testing performed to make sure the diagnosis is correct. Of course, visiting a highly skilled doctor, one who provides diagnosis and treatment for allergies of all types would be essential. Together, common mold allergy symptoms would be much easier to identify.
Overview of Mold Allergies
Although a person could have an allergic reaction to various types of mold such as food mold, most often, mold allergy symptoms are associated with environmental mold. For that reason, this is the focus of this article. Also known as fungi or aeroallergens, mold is found in places that are moist or damp, which is why the home is a normal setting. Unfortunately, mold can cause not only allergy problems but very serious health issues to the point that black mold can lead to cancer and even death.
However, mold in the form of ubiquitous airborne allergens are also found in environmental settings to include fields where crops are grown. Due to the things that fungi needs to grow and multiply, there are certain parts of the country where mold allergy symptoms are more prevalent but people throughout the country can be affected. For this reason, mold found in the home, again especially black mold should be properly killed immediately and mold in the environment should be avoided.
Molds in Question
We first want to offer information pertaining to the very types of molds that cause problems, followed by common mold allergy symptoms that people experience. As stated, there are certain types of mold notorious for causing allergic reactions to include those listed below. Interestingly, while thousands of mold types exist, only a handful would actually product mold allergy symptoms.
- Alternaria – This outdoor mold produces serious symptoms of asthma
- Aspergillus – This mold can be found in both indoors and outdoors, which causes issues of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
- Aurebasidium – Found outdoor, mold of this kind is typically found on specific surfaces such as those that are painted, paper, and lumber
- Cladosporium – Of all outdoor molds, this is the airborne type considered most common with allergic reaction
- Epicoccum – Mold of this type is found in areas of agriculture and grassland
- Helminthosporum – In most cases, this mold is linked to climates with warmer temperature.
- Fusarium – Many people are unaware that mold allergy symptoms can develop because of this mold that is found on plants that are rotting
- Mucor – Associated in damp areas indoors, this is a type of mold commonly found on decaying plant leaves
- Pencillium – Found outdoors, this mold causes antibiotic allergies
- Phoma – Another mold found outdoors, this is common in the sense that it thrives from moisture, specifically rain
- Rhizopus – Just as Mucor, this indoor mold is typically found on the leaves of decaying plants
- Smuts – In areas of a lot of agriculture, this is a common mold found
- Yeast – Normally, mold like this is found in areas of agriculture but usually during periods of rain or other moisture
Allergic Reactions
As far as mold allergy symptoms, commonly the respiratory system is affected. Remember, an allergic reaction could be in the form of a skin rash, open sores on the skin, redness, and irritation from touching mold but in most cases, mold spores are inhaled, which is why symptoms affect the inside of the body. Therefore, mold allergy symptoms involve the following but it is important to note that as exposure to mold continues, symptoms would worsen to the point of a person’s life being at risk.
- Sneezing
- Watery nose and eyes
- Headache
- Short-term Memory Loss
- Difficulty Breathing
- Nose Bleeds
- Poor Appetite
- Fatigue
- Ear Infection
- Weight Loss
