What is mold allergy?
An allergy is an abnormal reaction by your immune system to common substances that don’t affect most people. Molds are a type of fungus that exists almost everywhere in the world. The molds that grow inside our houses prefer dark and damp places and can be harmful to some people with immune systems that develop responses against mold.
People with mold allergies may develop itchy skin or rash, watery or itchy eyes, runny or itchy noses or in more severe cases, breathing problems.
There are probably thousands of different types of molds. It’s possible to be allergic to only certain types of mold.
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Are there different types of mold allergies?
You can be allergic to molds in the air, and you can be allergic to molds in foods. Some food allergies related to mold include mushrooms, certain types of cheese, fermented foods, some wines and food products that contain vinegar.
There are also many different types of mold that can cause allergies. Some common ones include _Alternaria, Aspergillus, _Cladosporium and Penicillium. There are also toxic molds that can cause very serious illnesses. An example of a toxic mold is Stachybotrys, which is known as “black mold.” In addition to allergies, aspergillus can cause infections known as aspergillosis.
Who does mold allergy affect?
Molds can irritate everyone, regardless of whether you're allergic to them. But the effects are generally worse for certain groups of people who have compromised immune systems due to disease or medication.
Risk factors for developing an allergy to mold include:
- Having a family or personal history of allergies.
- Having a respiratory condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Being exposed to mold over a long period of time due to your job or to living in a humid house or a building with poor ventilation.
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How common is mold allergy?
According to some statistics, about 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with environmental allergies. (Mold is considered an environmental allergen.) About two-thirds of people with asthma also have environmental allergies. Many days of work are lost and more than 50% of people who have such allergies consider them to play a part in their quality of life.
