Out With the Mold

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For many people, mold is an allergy trigger that brings on sneezing and other irritating symptoms.

Mold exposure can trigger allergic reactions in people who have allergies. Symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, nasal and sinus congestion, irritated eyes, a dry, hacking cough, irritated nose or throat and skin rashes or irritation.

The best way to find mold is to look in dark, damp, warm environments. It can grow almost anywhere: on sheet rock, carpet, wood panels, garbage cans and basement walls. Mold can even grow in areas that are not easily visible, such as inside walls and furniture. Excessive indoor humidity, resulting in water vapor condensation on walls, plumbing leaks, spills from showering or bathing, water leaking through foundations or roofs, may lead to growth of many types of mold.

Controlling indoor mold
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), taking the following steps to rid your home or business of molds can lead to a decrease in allergy:

• Clean the area: Use a solution of water and dish detergent to clean the moldy area. Then wipe off the mold. Remember to wear rubber gloves and use a protective mask if your symptoms are severe.
• Remove the source: If mold or mildew is visible in carpeting or on wallpaper, remove them from your home. Also, if you have a leaky pipe or roof, quickly repair and seal these moisture sources.
• Dry it out: Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and wipe down the shower after use. Periodically clean the bathroom and other mold-promoting places with a product that kills mold and mildew, and throw away shower curtains at the first sight of mold.
• Lower humidity: Try to maintain a humidity level of 30 to 40% in your house.
• Stay above ground: In general, it's not a good idea for people with mold allergies to have a bedroom or a family/work room in the basement.
• Air it out: Ventilate damp rooms, attics and even crawl spaces under the house to try to keep them dry. If you use a dehumidifier, empty and clean it regularly to prevent mildew from forming. Also, air filters may help control airborne mold spores throughout your house.
All rooms, especially basements, bathrooms and kitchens, require ventilation and consistent cleaning to control mold growth.

Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).