Health Problems Caused By Mold Allergies
When a person has a mold allergy, their immune system overreacts when they inhale mold spores. Mold allergies can cause normal allergy symptoms like coughing, congestion, and itchy eyes, but they can also cause more serious problems like asthma attacks and breathing problems. Severe mold allergies can also lead to other health problems, such as pneumonitis, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, sinusitis, and more. The best way to combat a mold allergy is to ensure that your home and other places where you spend a lot of time do not contain mold. If you believe that your Massachusetts home may contain mold that is causing harmful health effects to you or your family, contact our team at DCM Environmental today for a free mold testing estimate!
Symptoms Of Mold Allergies
The signs and symptoms of a mold allergy are mostly the same as those of other upper respiratory allergies. Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person, but the following are possible signs of allergic rhinitis brought on by a mold allergy:
- Sneezing
- Runny or congested nose & sinuses
- Postnasal drip & cough
- Eyes, nose, & throat itch
- Dry skin
Most allergic reactions to mold are uncomfortable but are not life-threatening. For some people, however, allergic reactions to mold can trigger more serious health problems, including:
- Asthma
Inhaling mold spores can cause an asthma attack in people who are allergic to mold & have asthma. If you have asthma but aren’t sure if you are allergic to mold, you should speak to your doctor about your concerns!
- Fungal Sinusitis
Fungal sinusitis is an inflammatory reaction to fungus in the sinuses. Mold is a fungal growth, so when someone with a mold allergy inhales mold spores, they can experience a wide array of fungal sinusitis symptoms. There are several different types of fungal sinusitis, including saprophytic fungus, fungus ball, allergic fungal sinusitis, and invasive fungal sinusitis.
- Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is an allergic reaction to aspergillus fumigatus mold. For people with mold allergies, chronic lung problems, or weakened immune systems, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis can cause wheezing, coughing, chest pain and fever.
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is uncommon, but it can occur in people who repeatedly inhale mold, bacteria, chemicals, and other foreign substances. This immune system disorder causes inflammation in the lungs and can lead to several serious symptoms.
Contact DCM Environmental Testing!
If you suspect that there is any type of mold in your Massachusetts home, contact DCM Environmental today for a free quote on our mold testing services! Give us a call at (617) 481-5782 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
