Mould allergy

Indoor mould is an uninvited guest that is not so easy to get rid of, but necessary. In the home or other indoor environments, mould is more likely to appear during the rainy season, when there is more humidity. Poor ventilation or other favourable factors can also contribute to its occurrence.

Moulds release poisonous substances called mycotoxins, which have negative effects on well-being and health. Higher indoor concentrations of these substances can cause allergies and a serious deterioration in quality of life.

Let’s discuss what to do if you have a mould allergy, how to recognise it and what to do.

Which people are most affected by mould allergy?

Mould allergy usually targets those with weaker, more sensitive immunity, such as asthma and other respiratory diseases. It often targets those who spend a lot of time in damp, mould-ridden rooms, in which case the allergy develops over a longer period of time.

Mycotoxins can cause unpleasant symptoms in even non-allergic people, lead to respiratory illnesses, and can contribute to exacerbations of bronchial asthma.

How do I distinguish whether it is a mould allergy or a cold?

Similar symptoms can sometimes be misleading: those with cold symptoms may see that they are allergic, while those with allergies may blame it on the cold. However, distinguishing between the two can be quite simple.

Symptoms of a mould allergy usually last more than a week. Typical symptoms include shortness of breath, watery eyes, redness, tearing and itchy nose. These symptoms are often exacerbated in certain places, such as only at home or only in the work environment, which helps to distinguish allergies from other similar ailments.

In the case of colds, symptoms usually last from a few days to a week. One of the clearest differences is the rise in body temperature, which is typical of the common cold but not of allergies. In addition, the symptoms of a cold do not change depending on whether you are at home or elsewhere, they remain the same.

Mould allergy: symptoms that betray the problem

The most common signs of mould allergy are:

• a runny nose or a troublesome stuffy nose;
• sneezing;
• a nagging, ticklish itch in the nasal cavity;
• sore throat;
• cough;
• itchy eyes;
• tearing.

Prolonged exposure to mould can also lead to symptoms such as dizziness and visual problems. If a person has asthma, mould allergy will lead to much more severe asthma symptoms.

However, experts point out that similar symptoms do not always mean allergies. If a person has a particularly sensitive respiratory system, the smell of mould will irritate the respiratory system and cause discomfort, but this is not necessarily an allergic reaction. Therefore, an allergist can best diagnose a mould allergy.

What should I do if I experience symptoms of mould allergy?

If you think you are allergic to mould, do not self-medicate. The first step is to consult an allergist. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is important to get rid of the mould that caused the problem. The next step is to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.

Mould allergy: treatment

Antihistamines can help reduce allergic reactions to mould. However, sometimes patients start using them on their own. However, this is the wrong decision, as only an allergist can prescribe the most appropriate medication after assessing your specific symptoms.

There is a wide choice of medicines to suppress allergy symptoms, so you need specialist advice to find the right one for you.

Once you have started treating your mould allergy, you need to know that it is just as important to eliminate the mould that is causing it. Even if you take the best medicines and the mould is not eradicated, the allergy will not go away – the medicines will only suppress the symptoms and the damage to the body will continue.

Preventive measures against mould

If you haven’t had to deal with mould in your home before, you can rejoice. However, it is also a good idea to take preventive measures to avoid mould conditions and allergy risks.

To house To protect against mould, there are a few important points to be aware of. Sometimes it takes very little effort to avoid a big problem.

• Moisture is one of the most favourable conditions for mould. Therefore, do not let it accumulate indoors and make sure that your rooms are properly ventilated. If there is a lot of moisture, use moisture collectors.
• Good ventilation is needed in the bathroom, and you should keep the bathroom door closed at night to allow moisture to dissipate.
• If the room has a cold wall that draws in moisture, don’t clutter it with furniture.
• In autumn, when the heating is not yet on and there is unpleasant dampness in the flats, use extra heating, dehumidifiers and ventilation.
• Do not allow condensation to build up on windows.
• It is also worth checking the pipes for leaks.

How do I get rid of mould at home?

If you notice mould indoors, don’t delay – get rid of the uninvited guest. Why is this important? In the case of allergies, the treatment will be ineffective if you do not address the cause of the problem. 

Here are some tips on what you can do when mould appears in your home:

• First, identify its location and causes.
• A key factor is to reduce indoor humidity, as humidity is the most favourable condition for mould to form and grow successfully.
• Clean visible mould. Do this very carefully, using mechanical or chemical methods.
• For small areas, you can try folk remedies against mould: baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, tea tree essential oil, etc.

If mould is already well established in your home and covers more than a square metre, if you have tried to clean but have failed, if you have a strong smell of mould, if you are suffering from allergy symptoms, call in the mould experts to help you .

Once mould is established, you cannot get rid of it yourself. Professionals will carry out mould tests and choose the most effective measures to eradicate it.