Dealing with Mold Allergies

Mold can lurk everywhere, but it loves damp conditions. Avoid using a humidifier in your house and consider using a dehumidifier if you live in an old house or in a very cool and damp climate.

Try to keep your humidity in your home between 35% and 60%.

1. Avoid places which are likely to contain mold

Mold is commonly found in a range of places, including:

* Antique stores
* Barns and animal feed stores
* Construction sites and buildings under construction
* Farms
* Flower shops
* Greenhouses
* Garden nurseries

You may not like how you look wearing a mask when you go to these places, but it’s better than an asthma attack.

2. Use extractor fans in damp places

Extractor fans will remove excess moisture in the bathroom, such as after a shower, and remove cooking humidity and also odors.

3. Keep all surfaces clean

Avoid soap scum, chemical build-up from hard water, and grease in the kitchen, which can all allow mold spores to accumulate and trigger allergies. Use bleach and mold-specific cleaners.

4. Check your basement

Mold loves dark, dank places. Consider using a dehumidifier to keep things dry. Avoid carpeting or wood floors in the basement; instead, opt for linoleum, vinyl or concrete, which do not retain

moisture. If you are using it as a finished basement, opt for leather furniture rather than cloth upholstery. If you are using it for storage, pack everything away in covered plastic containers, or in space bags you vacuum all the air out of so no dampness can get in.

5. Clean air conditioner and dryer vents

In this way, no lint or mold spores can accumulate.

6. Beware of swimming pools, hot tubs and changing rooms

These damp, humid places are the ideal breeding grounds for mold and mildew.

7. Keep your car windows shut in the rain and check seals

Even a few trickles of rain can soak your upholstery and/or work their way down into your car door. Make sure your window seals are in good condition to avoid drips, and try not to roll the windows down when they are soaking wet.

8. Get rid of carpeting more than 3 years old

The carpet and underlay tend to soak up moisture like a sponge, allowing mold to develop. Try wood-look vinyl flooring instead. It has all be benefits of hardwood but is moisture and spill-resistant.

9. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter

If you do have carpeting on the floor, vacuum it regularly using one with a HEPA filter. Keep the filter clean and replace regularly.

10. Buy an air purifier

There are a number of options for air purifiers that are supposed to help clean allergens from the air, including mold spores. Visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/air-purifiers/buying-guide to learn more about the pros and cons and which model might be right for your home and budget.

11. Natural anti-fungals

Garlic is a great anti-fungal food that can help strengthen the immune system. Other suggestions for dealing with mold are oregano oil in food (use by the drop because it is so potent), and tea tree oil, which can be used externally in a diluted form to clean surfaces and skin.

12. Dietary considerations

If you are allergic to airborne mold spores, you may be allergic to certain fungi found in common foods. Avoid:

* Moldy cheeses such as blue cheese
* Mushrooms
* Vinegar and foods containing vinegar, such as salad dressing and pickles
* Sour cream, sour milk, and buttermilk
* Meat or fish
* Yeast
* Foods made with yeast, such as bread and beer
* Pickled fish, such as herring
* Smoked meats
* Dried fruits such as dates, prunes, figs, and raisins
* Soy sauce, fermented soy sauce
* Hot dogs, sausages
* Canned juices
* Refrigerated leftovers that are more than a couple of days old

If you are allergic to mold, you might experience tingling in the mouth or shortness of breath within an hour of eating any of the items on this list.

Other Common Seasonal Allergy Triggers

There are a number of other seasonal allergy triggers that only happen at certain times of year, but are nevertheless worth paying attention to. These include:

* Wood smoke, such as campfires in summer and fireplaces in winter
* Insect bites and stings, usually in spring and summer
* Chlorine in indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs
* Candy ingredients at Halloween and Christmas, including artificial coloring and flavoring
* Floral wreaths, spring and fall, such as at Thanksgiving
* Scented candles (all year, but especially at Christmas)
* Pot pourri and aromatherapy essential oils (all year, but especially at Christmas)
* Pine wreathes and pine Christmas trees in the holidays

You may wish to keep a seasonal allergy diary in which you note all your triggers, what you are doing to relieve the symptoms, and what works best. You can also share your allergy diary with your doctor so they can offer suggestions as to what more you could be doing.