Mold Allergies - What Is Mold Allergy?
Along with pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds, molds are an important
cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis. People allergic to molds may have symptoms
from spring to late fall. The mold season often peaks from July to late
summer.
Unlike pollens, molds may persist after the first killing frost. Some can
grow at subfreezing temperatures, but most become dormant. Snow cover lowers
the outdoor mold count dramatically but does not kill molds. After the spring
thaw, molds thrive on the vegetation that has been killed by the winter
cold.
What is mold allergy? - When inhaled, microscopic fungal
spores or, sometimes, fragments of fungi may cause allergic rhinitis. Because
they are so small, mold spores may evade the protective mechanisms of the
nose and upper respiratory tract to reach the lungs. In a small number of
people, symptoms of mold allergy may be brought on or worsened by eating
certain foods, such as cheeses, processed with fungi.
Occasionally, mushrooms, dried fruits, and foods containing yeast, soy sauce,
or vinegar will produce allergic symptoms. There is no known relationship,
however, between a respiratory allergy to the mold Penicillium and an allergy
to the drug penicillin, made from the mold.
Which molds are allergenic? - In general, Alternaria and Cladosporium (Hormodendrum) are the molds most commonly found both indoors and outdoors througout the United States. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aureobasidium (Pullularia) are also common.
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