Allergies, asthma, and molds
Reactive airway - mold; Bronchial asthma - mold; Triggers - mold; Allergic rhinitis - pollen
Molds
Things that make allergies or asthma worse are called triggers. Mold is a common trigger. When your asthma or allergies become worse due to mold, you are said to have a mold allergy.
Allergies
An allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are usually not harmful.
Asthma
Asthma is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughi...
There are many types of mold. They all need water or moisture to grow.
- Molds send out tiny spores that you cannot see with the naked eye. These spores float through the air, outdoors and indoors.
- Mold can begin growing indoors when the spores land on wet surfaces. Mold commonly grows in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Controlling Mold Indoors
Fabrics, carpets, stuffed animals, books, and wallpaper can contain mold spores if they are in damp places. Outdoors, mold lives in the soil, on compost, and on plants that are damp. Keeping your house and yard drier will help control mold growth.
Central heating and air-conditioning systems can help control mold.
- Change furnace and air conditioner filters often.
- Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to best remove mold from the air.
In the bathroom:
- Use an exhaust fan when you shower or take baths.
- Use a squeegee to wipe water off shower and tub walls after you bathe.
- DO NOT leave damp clothes or towels in a basket or hamper.
- Clean or replace shower curtains when you see mold on them.
In the basement:
- Check your basement for moisture and mold.
- Use a dehumidifier to keep the air drier. Keeping indoor moisture levels (humidity) at less than 30% to 50% will keep mold spores down.
- Empty dehumidifiers daily and clean them often with a vinegar solution.
In the rest of the house:
- Fix leaky faucets and pipes.
- Keep all sinks and tubs dry and clean.
- Empty and wash the refrigerator tray that collects water from the freezer defroster often.
- Frequently clean any surfaces where mold grows in your house.
- DO NOT use vaporizers for an extended time to manage symptoms during asthma attacks.
Outdoors:
- Get rid of water that collects around the outside of your house.
- Stay away from barns, hay, and wood piles.
- DO NOT rake leaves or mow grass.
References
Platts-Mills TAE. Indoor allergens. In: Adkinson NF Jr, Bochner BS, Burks AW, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 28.
Wright LS, Phipatanakul W. Environmental remediation in the treatment of allergy and asthma: latest updates. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep . 2014;14:419. PMID 24488258 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24488258 .
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Asthma in children and adolescents
(In-Depth)
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Asthma in adults
(In-Depth)
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Allergic rhinitis
(Alt. Medicine)
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Food allergy
(Alt. Medicine)
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Allergic rhinitis
(In-Depth)
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(In-Depth)
Review Date: 5/18/2016
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.