by Lynn Allison From Newsmax

If your allergies seem to be more year-round than seasonal, you may be allergic to mold spores. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America while the really severe mold season lasts from July to mid-fall, mold and mildew can become a nuisance anywhere and at any time of the year.

“It’s estimated that 25 percent of people who have allergies are allergic to mold,” Dr. Andy Nish, MD., an allergy and asthma specialist from Gainesville, Georgia, tells Newsmax. “The symptoms of mold allergy, particularity from indoor molds, may be even more insidious than springtime pollens would cause.

“That is because the exposure may be more prolonged instead of occurring in peak and valleys when you are outdoors. Mold allergies can cause more inflammation in the body so you may have more nasal congestion and if it triggers asthma, you may have difficulty exercising or sleeping through the night,” says the expert.

AAFA explains that if mold spores get into your nose, they can cause allergy symptoms, and if they get into your lungs, they can cause asthma. Typical allergic symptoms, besides nasal congestion, include:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Rashes
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloating

Typical asthma symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing or making a whistling noise when you breathe
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Chest tightness

Nish says that in preventing mold allergies, “the best offense is a good defense.” Here are some suggestions:

• Wear a dust mask if you are working outdoors cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves or disturbing other plant materials.
• Keep the windows of your car and house closed to minimize exposure to mold.
• Limit your exposure to mold spores outside when the mold count is high, says AAFA. Stay indoors.
• To reduce your exposure to mold inside the home, use a certified asthma and allergy friendly filter with your central air conditioning. For more allergy-friendly products check out the asthma & allergy friendly certification program.
• Lower your indoor humidity. No air cleaners can work efficiently if there is too much moisture in the air. If your indoor humidity is above 50 percent, mold spores will thrive. AAFA recommends keeping the humidity in your home below 45 percent but 35 percent is better.
• Pay close attention to mold building up in areas like the basement, laundry room or bathrooms and be aggressive in reducing dampness.
• Improve the air flow throughout your rooms and use exhaust fans if necessary.
• Fix any leaks promptly.
• Make sure that rainwater drains AWAY from your house.

If these steps do not alleviate your allergies, speak to your healthcare provider about taking medication or having allergy shots to reduce your symptoms, says Nish.

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