. Mold is everywhere since the weather was not as cold, and even warm some days. Mold allergies are a result of extensive exposure to mold. All mold can affect breathing by either an immunologic reaction or an allergic reaction. Many of my patients suffer from both. The allergic reaction is the same when a person is allergic to dust mites and pollen. This is also a problem this time of the year but it is happening earlier. I utilize sub lingual antibody therapy against the allergens (regardless whether the dog, cat, dust, mold, trees, weeds and grasses) The immunologic reaction to mold occurs similarly to the way the body fights infection. It can be as mild as itching and swelling to severe body anaphylactic shock (which is rare).
IF YOU HAVE RECURRENT SINUSITIS YOU MIGHT HAVE MOLD
Do you think you are allergic to mold?
1. Do you sneeze and get stuffy when you walk into a damp or musty house or basement or even a garage?
2. Raking leaves during and after Autumn creates severe mold allergies from the leaves fallen on the ground
3. Do you feel sick when you return to or clean out a summer home?
4. Do you feel sick when around hay or a barn?
5. Do damp seasons make you feel miserable?
6. Does gardening or planting make you feel stuffy? Often there is a lot of mold in the moist garden soil.
MOLD IS EVERYWHERE! These single cell fungi are all over the world. Fungal spores (the reproductive part of the organism) are airborne. Mold is prevalent in moist warm climates but is also common in cold environments. Environmental mold is of great concern. A book called Fungus Causes Cancer has alarming theories and postulates. Mold is in air conditoning units and ducts, in carpets , in plaster boards and even drywall. It can be hard to eradicate. Sometimes it can be seen in the kitchen or bathroom. Wear a mask if you are attempting to clean up visible mold.
Mold causes disease. All mold cause release toxins called mycotoxins. Some of these mycotoxins have been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, neurologic disease, and immunologic disease In our office we test for Mold using a kit from Great Plains Laboratory
But you can prevent mold in your home by:
1. Using a ventilation system to bring fresh filtered air
2. Seal air leaks to block entry of microbes and pollen
3. Make sure the walls and attics are insulated
4. Vacuum frequently
5. Take off wet shoes before entering your home
6. Do not leave wet towels lying around
7. Watch for mold in the bathroom
8. Prevent leaks in your roof and in the basement
9. Ventilate all areas of your home
Beware of mold!
Until tomorrow..