Most people associate allergies with seasonal changes. In the springtime, they react to pollen of the flowers and budding trees. In the fall, they react to ragweed by having what is referred to as hay fever.

Then there are the "lucky" few who seem to have a runny nose 24/7, year-round. If you are one of these "lucky" souls, you may be suffering from mold allergies. Mold isn’t seasonal. Once you have mold in an area, it just doesn’t go away. If you think this could possibly be you, keep reading to find out the symptoms and what you can do about it.

Mold Allergy - What Is It?

Molds are fungi are not like plants. They do not die when the temperatures become cold. Because the cold weather doesn’t kill the mold, it is there year-round to cause you allergy problems.

Mold can grow indoors on books and be dry, powdery mold or drywall due to damp conditions in your home. Mold also grows outdoors in the fall when the leaves are on the ground and become damp due to repeated fall rains. These damp leaves are the perfect growing environment for mold.

There are some jobs where the risk of being exposed to mold is greater than others. Some of these jobs include: carpenters, mill workers, greenhouse employees, wine makers, furniture repairers, farmers, dairymen, and loggers. If you are employed in one of these jobs and suspect you are allergic to mold, you may need to consider allergy shots or a change of jobs.

Mold Allergy Symptoms

If you suspect that you are allergic to mold, you need to see an allergy specialist. The doctor will do a complete medical history and perform skin tests to if you are allergic to mold and if so, what kind.

Mold Allergy Treatment

There are three methods of treating your mold allergy. The first is to simply avoid it. When cutting grass or working in an area where you know that mold is living, wear a mask. To keep mold from growing in your home, use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture and the possibility of it growing or continuing to grow.

The second method of treating your allergy is to use over the counter allergy medications. By using antihistamines and decongestants, you can control the symptoms when it is necessary for you to be exposed to mold.

If your reaction to mold is severe, you need to talk to your allergy specialist about allergy shots. By taking shots, you train your body to become immune to the allergen and no longer have a reaction.

Identifying a mold allergy is the first step. Next identify what type of mold you are allergic to and determine where you are being exposed so you can avoid the exposure if at all possible. Next, consider allergy shots to control a severe mold allergy. By taking these measures, you can greatly reduce your year-round runny nose.

Jason Ladock

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