Mold allergy

Mold allergy is a hidden threat to human health. Mold fungi are a large group of living organisms that can be found in any climate, in any season. It is almost impossible to avoid contact with them. The fungus multiplies in damp and warm conditions, both indoors and outdoors. Mold is a little-studied but terrible allergen.

Allergy to mold, or rather to its spores, occurs separately or in combination with a reaction to house dust mites, pollen, food. Fungal spores do not exceed ten microns, are easily carried by air masses and exert their pathogenic effect through the human respiratory system. Fungus can live in any damp place in the room: in pots of indoor plants, on walls, under the windowsill, in the attic, in the bathroom, greenhouse, etc. Food products, alcoholic beverages can become a haven for mold. Modern industry uses various additives, enzymes based on mold to make soap, household chemicals, toothpastes, cosmetics.

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Symptoms of Mold Allergy

Mold allergy is a danger that lies in wait for us everywhere. It manifests itself with varying degrees of severity in each individual person, and the symptoms are similar to other types of allergic reactions. Mold allergy, the symptoms of its manifestation begin in the upper respiratory tract and are very similar to a common cold. Only, unlike the usual flu and acute respiratory viral infections, it is impossible to cope with a runny nose, sneezing, sputum production, mucus flowing down the back of the throat caused by an allergy without eliminating the cause of the painful condition. The process can worsen and develop into a severe cough, sinusitis. Mold allergy also causes watery eyes, itchy eyes, tickling in the nose, itchy throat. When an allergen gets on the skin, swelling, redness, itching are observed. Particularly severe cases lead to various skin rashes.

Mold allergy is most dangerous for people suffering from bronchial asthma. Contact with microscopic spores can lead to an exacerbation of the disease, causing an asthma attack with coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of a mold allergy that do not go away within two weeks should be a warning sign, which will require a visit to the doctor.

Allergy to blue cheese

Blue cheese – a delicacy or a hidden threat? To avoid being bothered by blue cheese allergies, you need to know how to choose, store and eat cheese correctly.

Cheese mold is divided into types:

• white - the coating is formed during aging in special cellars, where the walls are covered with fungi corresponding to the genus penicillium (brie and camembert varieties);
• red – ripens thanks to special bacteria (Livarot and Munster cheeses);
• greenish-blue - is located inside the cheese, introduced into the cheese mass during the cooking process using special tubes (Roquefort cheese).

Even true gourmets recommend starting to eat cheeses in the following order: first with white mold, then move on to mild blue varieties, and only then evaluate the taste of Roquefort and Camembert. You should not eat moldy cheeses every day, and especially not give them to children. This product is strictly prohibited for pregnant women.

The permissible norm of such cheese is about 50 grams per serving, which would be good to accompany with a glass of red wine and fruit. When choosing blue cheese, be sure to pay attention to the production and expiration dates. Varieties with white mold have a penicillin smell. Cheeses with blue mold are inspected on the cut. It contains mold veins, but the channels through which the mold entered are not clearly expressed.

Blue cheeses are not intended for refrigeration, so it is better to buy it "for one time". If there is still a piece of the desired product left, wrap it in its original wrapper, do not use cellophane and put it in the refrigerator.

Eating blue cheese in reasonable quantities will only bring benefits. It is rich in calcium, proteins, phosphorus salts, and amino acids, which have a beneficial effect on the formation and strengthening of muscles. However, moldy fungi can cause intestinal disorders and dysbacteriosis.

Allergy to blue cheese such as Brie and Camembert is common in people with penicillin intolerance. In children, blue cheese can cause listeriosis - a liver disease with disorders of the lymphatic and nervous systems. It is important for allergy sufferers to follow a special diet in which blue cheese has no place. Do not give in to temptation, do not experiment with your health.

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Allergy to black mold

Black mold has an unpleasant odor and affects the walls of houses. Allergies to black mold occur in adults and children. Of course, if parents suffer from allergic reactions or asthma, the likelihood of a child developing an allergy to mold increases.

Mold can attach and spread bacteria and viruses that aggravate allergic symptoms. This is how migraines, runny noses, heart problems, mycosis, etc. appear. Only specialists from environmental expertise can determine the type of fungus, who take a scraping for this purpose. Black mold is considered the most dangerous. If you find an ominous black, shaggy spot with a silvery tint at the edges, you can treat it with bleach, or even better, with an antifungal agent. Just do not rush to dry it with a hair dryer or quartz it. If you have not managed to completely destroy the enemy, mold spores can fly around the apartment when drying with a hair dryer and even visit your neighbors.

Once black mold has been detected, the causes of its appearance should be identified and eliminated. Most often, the culprits are: high vapor permeability of external structures, high humidity and poor ventilation of the premises.

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Mold allergy in children

Mold allergy in children is the most common cause of illness from March to November. Favorite places for mold to spread are: barns, basements, sheds, piles of leaves and hay. If pathogenic spores have not been detected in your home, then your child should be extremely careful outside to avoid contact with mold.

Children are particularly sensitive to mold fungi, which manifests itself in conjunctivitis, dermatitis, and eczema. According to statistics, children with bronchial asthma are particularly susceptible to allergic reactions to mold spores. If you notice whistling, coughing, or sudden shortness of breath in your child, these may be symptoms of asthma.

Mold allergy in children is determined by the following signs:

• clear, runny discharge from the nose;
• lacrimation;
• frequent "snorting";
• continuous sneezing;
• nosebleed;
• the formation of a depression on the tip of the nose from endless friction;
• dark circles around the eyes;
• increased frequency of upper respiratory tract diseases, otitis;
• night cough, nasal congestion in the morning;
• noisy breathing during sleep;
• cough accompanying physical activity;
• a cough that does not respond to treatment, accompanied by a "rattling" sound and wheezing.

"A cold or an allergic reaction?" is the most important question facing parents. Mold allergy in children can lead to serious diseases: mycosis, aspergillosis, cardiovascular disorders and even oncology. Therefore, at the first suspicion of an allergy, it is better to consult a doctor.

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Treatment for Mold Allergy

Treatment of mold allergy consists of cleaning the room from fungal spores and preventing its occurrence in the future. The presence of mold in your home can only be determined by carefully inspecting particularly damp rooms - the kitchen, bathroom, basement or attic, bookshelves, etc. The health of all family members may also depend on the quality of installation of plastic windows.

Treatment of mold allergies with medications is carried out according to general schemes:

• If you have a stuffy nose, it is recommended to rinse your sinuses with saline solution;
• in more severe cases, a course of treatment with antihistamines or hormonal drugs is prescribed;
• To develop immunity, the allergen is administered to the patient in small doses (allergen-specific immunotherapy, abbreviated ASIT).

An important task for doctors is to establish a correct diagnosis, which can be difficult to do due to the similarity of symptoms of mold allergy and the common cold.

Treatment of mold allergy involves eliminating contact with the pathogenic fungus, which is ensured by following the rules:

• regular cleaning of wet areas of your home (wipe the bathroom dry) using protective equipment;
• use of steam extractors in the bathroom and kitchen;
• using disposable bags, wiping down the dish dryer;
• avoid dampness in poorly ventilated areas;
• avoid indoor plants, especially in the bedroom;
• do not work in the garden when there are old leaves and grass there (spring, autumn);
• do not stay near moldy straw, leaves or during their burning;
• avoid visiting vegetable storage facilities and warehouses with products containing mold;
• Store vegetable and fruit supplies in the refrigerator or outside the living area;
• monitor the level of humidity (no more than 60-65%) and dust in the apartment;
• Before going to bed, you can use a quartz lamp (for 15-30 minutes) and an air purifier;
• It is preferable to close the ventilation openings with HEPA filters;
• if necessary, use dehumidifiers;
• use special construction compounds to protect against mold during repair work;
• Cleaning of the home should be done with a new generation vacuum cleaner, and the respiratory organs should be covered with a mask with a HEPA filter.

People with mold allergies should not consume products containing it: cheeses, fermented milk products, kvass, beer, xylitol, sugar, yeast dough, sauerkraut, as well as other products that have undergone a fermentation process during production.

Mold allergy is a serious disease that requires timely treatment under the supervision of a specialist. Do not wait for a wave of new attacks - contact an allergist.