Allergy to Mould: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Explained

Mould is a small fungus that you can find outdoors and indoors as its spores move in the air. Hence, every individual inhales mould spores. However, some of them are allergic to mould. This implies that whenever individuals are exposed to moulds indoors or outdoors, their immunity system identifies mould as an allergen, reacts to it, and their body develops symptoms. Thus, if you suffer from a mould allergy, keep reading this article as it summarises its vital aspect so that you can prevent it from aggravating further.

There are distinct types of mould, and only a selected few trigger an allergy to mould. Additionally, allergy to a specific mould does not imply that you will be allergic to other kinds. The different types of moulds that cause allergic reactions are as follows:

• Alternaria: It is an outdoor mould. One of the symptoms of mould allergy caused due to Alternaria is a severe case of asthma.
• Cladosporium: It is an outdoor mould and is airborne in nature.
• Aspergillus: It is both an outdoor and indoor mould and may cause allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This is a severe case that may lead to bronchiectasis.
• Penicillium: This type of mould is found indoors.
• Fusarium: This type of mould is found in decayed plants.
• Helminthosporium: You can find this mould in warm climates.
• Epicoccum: It is mainly found in agricultural areas and grassland
• Aureobasidium: You can find this outdoor mould type in painted surfaces, lumber, and paper.
• Smuts: This type of mould is found in agricultural areas.
• Rhizopus and Mucor: This mould is found in damp areas of your home and decayed leaves. It is a type of airborne mould but is not commonly found.
• Phoma: It is usually found during wet periods.

Mould allergy causes allergic rhinitis, and its symptoms are mentioned below:

• Sneezing
• Itchiness in nose, throat and eyes
• Watery eyes
• Scaly and dry skin
• Runny nose
• Postnasal drip and cough

If you have an allergy to mould and asthma together, take precautionary measures in advance as it may further trigger asthma symptoms. Here are the symptoms of asthma:

• Wheezing
• Breathlessness
• Tightness in chest
• Coughing

Note: The symptoms of mould and mildew allergies may differ with each individual. Allergic reactions may be mild for one or severe for another.

Allergy to mould develops when your immunity system is sensitive to moulds and identifies them as foreign substances to the body. Accordingly, it produces antibodies to protect your body from allergens. Allergic reactions may be immediate or delayed.

The presence of the following risk factors may make you more vulnerable to developing an allergy to mould or may further make it worse:

• Family History of Allergies: If your family has a medical history of asthma and allergies, you may be more prone to develop a mould allergy.
• Working in a Profession that Causes Direct or Indirect Mould Exposure: If you are employed in a profession like farming, logging, carpentry, baking, winemaking, and other occupations that cause direct or indirect exposure to moulds may lead your body to develop mould allergies.
• Residing in a House With a High Level of Humidity: A humidity of more than 50% in homes can increase Mould growth in the home. This way, you may likely develop an allergy to mould.
• Houses With Poor Ventilation: Homes with closed doors and windows can cause poor ventilation, creating an appropriate condition for the growth of moulds. Bathrooms, basements, kitchens are usually damp and ideal places for developing moulds.
• Buildings Which Are Exposed to Moisture: Buildings with leakages in pipes, frequent flooding of water around the building, water seepage leads to excess moisture that may promote the growth of moulds in the building.

If you have allergic symptoms to mould, consult a doctor. A doctor will diagnose your mould  allergy depending on your symptoms, family, and medical history. A healthcare professional may also perform the following tests:

1. Skin Prick: A doctor applies a diluted proportion of suspected allergens like moulds on the skin of your back or arm. If you have an allergy to mould, then your skill will develop hives or raised bumps at the test application area of your skin.
2. Blood Test: The blood test, also often known as the radioallergosorbent test, measures the proportion of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies present in your bloodstream. The medical laboratory examines the blood sample to see whether you have sensitivity to a specific mould.

If a doctor finds that you are allergic to mould after diagnosis, he or she will recommend avoiding exposure to mould. Moreover, if you develop allergic rhinitis caused due to a mould allergy, doctors may prescribe the following medications:

• Nasal Corticosteroids: Nasal corticosteroids include triamcinolone, ciclesonide, mometasone etc. and reduce inflammation caused due to upper respiratory mould allergy. Doctors often prescribe these as the first medication as they effectively show results on allergy. However, nasal dryness and bleeding from the nose are some of the side effects of these medications.
• Antihistamines: Doctors prescribe antihistamines to relieve sneezing, itching and runny nose. An antihistamine such as loratadine restricts the release of histamine by the immunity system to cease allergic reactions. OTC antihistamines such as fexofenadine, loratadine and cetirizine cause slight or no dry mouth. The side-effects of nasal sprays olopatadine and azelastine are dryness in your nose and a taste of bitterness in the mouth.
• Decongestant Nasal Sprays: Decongestant nasal sprays oxymetazoline. These medications are not safe to use for over 3 to 4 days. This is because as soon as you stop using these medications, congestion and severe symptoms will return. You may also expect additional symptoms like insomnia, nervousness, and headache.
• Oral Decongestants: OTC oral decongestants can elevate blood pressure levels. Besides, insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, palpitations, restlessness are some of the side effects of using these medications.
• Montelukast: Montelukast restricts the working of leukotrienes, a chemical released by the immunity system that causes allergic reactions like excessive mucus. It is not an effective medication, unlike inhaled corticosteroids. Doctors prescribe this medication when patients cannot tolerate a nasal spray or suffer from mild asthma. However, it comes with many side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts. Doctors may prescribe other treatments as well to calm mould allergies.
• Immunotherapy: Doctors use a series of allergy shots, and it is an effective treatment to ease hay fever. 
• Nasal Lavage: Doctors may prescribe cleaning the nose regularly with salt water to make it free from irritants. Use squeeze bottles designed for nasal lavage. You can find these in a bulb syringe, saline kits etc. Use sterile, distilled or boiled (cool) water to make this irrigation solution. Alternatively, use filtered water utilising a filter having a pore size of 1 micron or less. Clean the irrigation appliance after every use using distilled, boiled (cool) water, sterile or filtered water and let it dry in the air.

If you are suffering from a mould allergy, follow the precautionary measure mentioned below to prevent such condition:

• Keep Your House Clean: Remove the sources of dampness that may be present in your house's kitchen and basement. If you see any moulds develop in any corner of your home, scrub it away using a 10% bleach solution while wearing a mask. If you suffer from a respiratory problem, use 50/50 vinegar and water solution, which may require a little more effort to clean moulds effectively. Keep the areas clean and dry where pipe leakages or groundwater seepage are frequent.
• Utilise a Dehumidifier and Air Conditioner: Utilise a dehumidifier in damp areas of your home to keep the humidity less than 50%. Moreover, clean the condensation coil and collection bucket daily to remove the moisture properly. Besides using a dehumidifier, install an air conditioner with HEPA or a high-efficiency particulate air filter, which will trap the mould spores from the outside before they float inside your house.
• Change the Furnace's and Air conditioner's Filter: It is essential to change the furnace's air conditioner's filter daily. Seek professional assistance to inspect and clean the air heating ducts, if required.
• Proper Ventilation System in Bathrooms Is a Must: Ensure that there is a proper ventilation system in your house's bathrooms. Moreover, switch the ventilation fan on during and after the shower to keep bathrooms dry. If there is no ventilation fan available in the bathroom, then open a window, if possible, during the shower. Apart from that, it is ideal not to cover bathrooms with carpets.
• Ensure Proper Drainage of Groundwater: Remove leaves and vegetation around your house and perform frequent cleaning of rain gutters to ensure proper groundwater drainage from your home. Ensure that the ground is inclined away from your house's foundation.
• Keep Organic Plant Pots Clean and Recycle Old Newspapers and Books: Make sure to clean and keep organic plant pots dry, especially pots made of hemp, wicker, or straw. Similarly, keeping old books and newspapers in damp areas induces mould growth. Hence, recycling those newspapers and books is an appropriate action.
• Wear Mask While Doing Chores Outside: You can wear a mask to protect yourself from inhaling allergens. You can consult a healthcare professional about which mask is suitable to wear to protect yourself from breathing in mould spores.
• Limit Doing Outside Activities During High Mould Counts: If you feel uncomfortable wearing a mask outdoors, it is ideal to avoid too many outdoor chores during high mould counts. High mould counts usually occur during autumn, spring, dry and windy weather conditions.