Have you ever seen green or black mold growing on the walls of your house, in a corner of your bathroom, or on a loaf of stale bread? In fact, this mold is more common in our surroundings, both indoors and outdoors, than we think. Usually, we breathe it in every day, and it doesn't cause any problems if we eat a little with our food. However, some people can be allergic to these types of mold . That's when symptoms start to appear.
What are the symptoms of this allergy?
The symptoms of a mold allergy are very similar to those of other allergies. Take a look to see if you experience these symptoms frequently.
The most important thing is that you can only know for sure if you really have a mold allergy if you see a doctor and get tested.
These are some of the commonly seen symptoms :
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Wheezing (a whistling sound coming from the chest) | A whistling sound, like a whistling sound, coming from inside the chest when breathing. |
| Nasal congestion or runny nose | A condition similar to a recurring cold. It makes it difficult to breathe due to a blocked nose or an uncontrollable runny nose. |
| Itchy and watery eyes | The eyes become red and feel like they are constantly itching. At the same time, tears may simply flow from the eyes. |
| Skin rash or hives | Red, itchy skin conditions such as eczema and rashes may occur. |
When you talk to your doctor about your symptoms, he or she will refer you to an allergist, who can run tests to confirm whether you are truly allergic to mold.
How do you avoid mold allergies?
The best way to avoid this is to minimize your exposure to mold. Let's look at how to do that both indoors and outdoors.
Protect yourself from mold outdoors.
The amount of mold outside can increase, especially during and after the rainy season.
- Always remove wet leaf litter from the garden, avoiding accumulation in one place.
- Keep the gutters on the roof clean so that water doesn't stagnate.
- If there are any areas in the garden where water is accumulating (such as old tires or coconut shells ), remove them.
How to prevent mold from growing inside the house?
Moisture is the main cause of mold growth inside the home. So we need to keep our homes as dry as possible.
| What to do | Description and importance |
|---|---|
| Control humidity. | If there are any water leaks in areas like the bathroom or kitchen, fix them immediately. If the area gets wet, dry it within 48 hours. If possible, use a dehumidifier. |
| Maintain good ventilation. | Open a window when showering, cooking, or washing dishes. Or turn on an exhaust fan. |
| Clean regularly. | Clean areas where mold can grow, such as bathrooms, sinks, and trash cans, regularly. Soap scum can also grow mold, so wash them thoroughly. |
| Use a HEPA filter. | If possible, use a vacuum cleaner with a (HEPA) filter, a special filter that can capture even the smallest mold spores. |
| Remove moldy items. | Remove carpets and storage items from bathrooms and wet floors. If there is mold on a ceiling tile, it is best to replace it completely. |
Let's prevent mold allergies from food and drink
Some foods may also contain fungi such as mold or yeast. If you have a mold allergy, it is very important to be careful with these foods as well.
The most important tip: Never smell food to see if it has gone bad, as this can cause allergies to increase suddenly when you inhale mold spores.
Below are some foods that can cause problems for people with mold allergies.
| Food category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Cheese and mushrooms | Many types of cheese, mushrooms |
| Fermented foods | Vinegar and vinegar-containing salad dressings, ketchup, pickles, soy sauce, sauerkraut |
| Foods containing yeast | Bread and other bakery products made with yeast |
| Prepared and preserved foods | Sausages, hot dogs, smoked meats and fish, canned fruit juices, jams |
| Dried fruits | Fruits like raisins, dates, and figs |
| Leftover food | Any leftover food that is more than 3-4 days old and has been refrigerated. |
What to do if symptoms appear?
If you experience symptoms of an allergy, there are several things you can do. But the most important thing is to always seek medical advice .
- Talk to your doctor: Talk to your doctor about what treatments are best for your symptoms. He or she may recommend antihistamines, nasal sprays , or eye drops.
- Prescription medications: You may need prescription medications that cannot be purchased over the counter at the pharmacy.
- Allergy shots: In some severe cases, allergy specialists may recommend allergy shots as a long-term treatment. You can also ask your doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- Mold is something that is commonly found in our environment, especially in humid places.
- Symptoms such as frequent colds, itchy eyes, and sneezing may be the result of a mold allergy.
- Mold growth can be largely prevented by keeping your home dry, clean, and well-ventilated.
- Be careful with certain foods (such as cheese, mushrooms, bread, pickles) as they can also aggravate allergies.
- If you suspect you have a mold allergy, be sure to see your doctor for proper advice and treatment.
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