Do you experience prickly, itchy, and red rashes all over your body? It may be due to an allergic reaction to molds, especially if you face this during the rainy season. The monsoon season is indeed an enjoyable one with the rains and cool weather. However, what comes with the pros are prone to be backed up by the cons. Monsoon too has its own and the most gruesome effects that this season makes us deal with are the allergies.

Mold allergies are not life-risking, yet they do hamper your capability to lead a comfortable and productive regular life. Some of the valuable information that assists you to detect the symptoms of mold allergies are enlisted here. In the case of a mold allergy, it all starts with the mold spore. Since these spores can ultimately make their way to the atmosphere, they can also get their way to your nostrils and set in an allergic reaction. This allergen has been associated with allergies and asthma.

Mold facts
Mold is a kind of mushroom or fungus that grows in the damp atmosphere, be it outdoors or indoors. While the mold spores are always drifting in the air, it triggers reactions; the difficulty exacerbates when these spores connect to a wet surface and the mold starts to grow. It is possible that mold is growing in your home and you may not be aware of it. This could occur because of several reasons, such as the following:

• An unknown leak
• The buildup of moisture in the basement area or the ground level
• Soggy zones of your room like under the rug that has been left unchecked

Since mold grows year-round, mold allergies aren’t periodical like other types of allergies. People who are allergic to mold tend to have more symptoms from the middle of the summer to early fall, but they can’t endure symptoms of mold any time whenever they are exposed to mold spores, particularly if they live in an area that gets a lot of rain.

What causes mold allergies?
Responses from an overly-sensitive immune system are the main triggers of symptoms of mold allergies. When individuals with this allergy inhale these spores, their bodies see these as foreign substances and send antibodies into battle. These immunizers lead to the allergic symptoms of mold. Our bodies continually create antibodies after primary vulnerability to the substance. Succeeding contact with the spores results in an immune system reaction that accelerates the release of histamine, which in turn causes the allergy symptoms of mold.

Signs that necessitate a doctor’s check-up
Though there are various types of this fungi, not all of them cause allergies. Moreover, a person who is allergic to one type may not encounter any allergic symptoms when exposed to another. This makes it challenging to diagnose the ailment. Hence, anybody suffering from persistent watery eyes, stuffy nose, and sneezing should visit a doctor for an early diagnosis.

Basic symptoms of mold allergies – Know about the sensitivities
The common symptoms of mold allergies include:

• Congestion and neezing
• Itchy and watery eyes
• Postnasal drip

You may initially confuse the symptoms for a sinus infection or maybe cold since the traits can be similar to each other. If your allergies are combined with asthma, you may observe your signs of asthma deteriorating when you’re exposed to mold. Symptoms of asthma include:

• Chest tightness
• Breathing trouble
• Coughing

Mold allergies in children
If your kids show histamine-related allergy symptoms, it may not be associated with mold in your house. Sometimes school constructions too have unchecked mold, which can trigger or give rise to attacks while your child is at school. Another factor that can as well be considered is your child’s sensitivity toward mold, even though no one else in the family would have that. Since many kids spend time playing in open areas like parks and garden, parents might fail to detect that the origin of mold exposure for children may be because of their exposure to outdoor air.

Top symptoms of mold-associated illness are as follows:

• Fatigue and weakness – Mold trigger fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, which is responsible for exhaustion
• Difficulty in concentration – Headache, light sensitivity, poor memory, difficulty with words, etc.
• Joint pain, morning stiffness, and unusual skin sensations like tingling and numbness
• Shortness of breath, sinus congestion, or a chronic cough
• Lack or extreme appetite, fluctuating body temperature, etc.
• Increased thirst or frequent urination
• Blurred vision, red eyes, sweat, sharp pains, and mood swings
• Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating
• Disorientation, tearing, and metallic taste in the mouth
• Static shocks
• Feeling lightheaded, vertigo, etc.

Moreover, the underlying symptoms that point to a possible mold allergy are as follows:

• Feeling awkward and ill on humid or rainy days
• Feeling a nauseating sensation while mowing grass or raking leaves
• Feeling claustrophobic in damp places like in a basement or a confined attic
• Feeling relieved in an air-conditioned room

There is nothing to worry about mold allergy, but knowing the symptoms of mold allergy can help you avoid the allergen altogether by taking the necessary precaution. If the problem persists, it is advisable to consult your physician for availing proper and timely treatment.