We are all having allergies earlier this year. Spring came earlier and there was no winter to speak of for the Northeast Region. 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).
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? I wish I had a farm with a barn. Sounds crazy, but not to me!
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. WE TEST YOU FOR MOLD. In our evaluation of the patient, we ask certain questions about your health and your home. If we feel you need to have a mold test, the office will give you a test which evaluates you for mold in your system How did you get mold- you inhaled the spores, . But you can prevent mold in your home by:
1. Using a ventilation system to bring fresh filtered air
2. Seal air leaks to lock entry of microbes and pollen
3. Make sure the walls and attics are insulated 4. Vacuum frequently