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Patients & Consumers Online Tools Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts Diseases 101 Drug Guide Featured Resources » AAAAI Tips Brochures Topic of the Month Information Request Form Donate Now Constituencies » Patients & Consumers Contact Search by Condition (A-Z) Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Breakthroughs in Bioscience Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors		Allergy & Asthma Advocate: Fall 2004 Indoor molds may be affecting your allergies By Clifford W. Bassett, MD, FAAAAI For the more than 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, avoiding exposure to the usual suspects such as ragweed and pollen can mean hiding indoors. However, staying inside could be causing more harm than good. Common household mold may be triggering your allergy symptoms. If you suffer from allergies and have the familiar hay-fever type symptoms and/or symptoms of asthma, mold spores may be the cause of the problem. These indoor and outdoor allergens can be found year round in almost any environment. Molds are tiny, microscopic organisms. There are approximately 1.5 million types of molds, although only a few dozen different types are significant allergens and likely to cause allergy symptoms. Mold can trigger your immune system to react and cause hay fever symptoms, and it can also set off or worsen asthma in susceptible individuals. Molds or fungi may also directly irritate the upper respiratory passages of the nose, sinuses and the lungs. Most molds found in the common household environment are not harmful. All molds need a warm environment and moisture to grow and flourish, or a cold surface on which moisture can condense. Molds can be invisible or visible. As the fungi colonize in an area of your home they become visible as a furry dark growth. Although you may not see “hidden mold” you will often be alerted to its presence by a musty odor. According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona at Tucson, indoor molds were found in most areas of the home and more prevalent on windowsills, refrigerator seals, air vents, under kitchen sinks and on shower ceilings. These areas may not be routinely cleaned and disinfected. Outside the home, airborne molds may be found in piles of leaves, near heavy vegetation and in grass. Outdoor molds can enter the home through windows as well as on the soles of shoes. If I’m allergic to mold, what symptoms will I have? The most likely symptoms include nasal congestion, frequent sneezing, runny nose, irritated eyes as well as cough or other respiratory symptoms on a year-round basis. Links between mold exposure and health concerns Exposure to fungi or mold spores has been linked to various respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and indoor allergies. Even in individuals who are not sensitive to mold, long-term exposure may also cause asthma or other respiratory problems. A certain black “toxic” mold known as Stachybotrys has been possibly linked to various adverse health effects. A proven home contamination should be thoroughly addressed by a trained environmental consultant. More information regarding toxic molds is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site, www.cdc.gov. An allergist/immunologist can take a careful history and then establish what allergens are triggering your symptoms. Allergy testing, via skin prick tests and/or serum/blood tests, is interpreted in the context of the patient’s history, and indoor allergen control measures can then be tailored to their individual needs. Get rid of that mold Another study by researchers at the University of Arizona revealed that even low concentrations of chlorine bleach not only effectively kill and neutralize most indoor mold spores but also neutralize the mold allergen. This is very significant since mold is far more pervasive than most people think. A written survey, conducted as part of the study, revealed that 8 out 10 people surveyed did not believe that mold is problematic in their homes, although all of the homes in the study exhibited mold in the indoor environment. Additionally, nearly 30% of the respondents used soap and water to clean for mold although this has proved to be an ineffective method for getting rid of molds. Clean regularly Use a bleach-based solution to kill mold spores in and around your home, and reduce the growth of indoor molds, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. There are many commercial products that are bleach-based chemicals, which have been proven to kill molds in the home. Despite popular belief, soap and water are not sufficient in killing molds. The most efficient way to reduce exposure to household mold is to prevent it from gaining entry indoors. Clean effectively and often. Keep mold under control The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) offer a few tips for keeping mold growth in your home under control: Keep the indoor humidity level at less than 40%. A hygrometer is an inexpensive device that will measure and help you monitor the indoor humidity level. A dehumidifier and/or an air conditioner may also be helpful, especially in damp areas of the home. Fix the source of any water leaks that allow mold spores to grow in windowsills, refrigerator drip pans, as well as leaky faucets and/or plumbing. Try to identify areas where molds and mildew reside on hard surfaces, and clean these areas with a bleach-based product. Make sure your home has adequate ventilation. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, and ventilate clothes dryers to the outside. Wipe down your shower curtains frequently. Reduce the number of live indoor plants. Keep windows closed. Do not carpet bathrooms and basements. Avoid the use of carpets/rugs in rooms below ground, such as basements, especially if there are mildew problems from flooding in these rooms. If you have recurrent mold and mildew in the home despite conservative measures, consult your local allergist/immunologist for a thorough assessment and consultation. Buildings that are heavily contaminated will require remediation by professional services. <back>
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