3 Things To Know About Treating Mold Allergies
Living with allergies can be a miserable part of life, especially when you cannot find any relief for the symptoms. If you find out that you are allergic to mold and have mold in your home, there are several steps you can take that may help you eliminate the symptoms you have from this particular allergy. Here are several things you should know about mold allergies and reducing the symptoms you experience.
Things To Know About Mold Allergies
Mold is something that can be found in many places, but it is more prevalent in places that are humid, warm, and moist. While mold can be found outdoors, it is also found in many homes. The spores that are found in the mold in your house can get into the air, and these spores are what lead to allergy problems. You should also understand that there are many types of mold, but not all types cause allergic reactions. In addition, not everyone has allergic reactions to mold.
To determine if you are definitely allergic to mold, you can visit an allergist. An allergist is a doctor that specializes in allergies, and he or she can perform a skin prick test to find out if you have this allergy. Before doing this, the doctor may ask you about your symptoms, what triggers them, and how often they occur. The most common symptoms of a mold allergy are similar to symptoms of most other types of allergies, and these include nasal congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
You Should Take Care Of Eliminating The Mold
While an allergist can treat you for a mold allergy, you will have the best luck eliminating the symptoms if you can get rid of the mold in your home. If your home contains mold, the treatment options offered to you might help a little, but the symptoms will come back. To truly help with this issue, you must find a way to get rid of the mold in your home.
The easiest way to do this is through mold remediation services. A company that offers these services will locate all the mold in your home and get rid of it. In addition, they may help you find sources of water and humidity, and these areas will need to be addressed or fixed. For example, if your basement is really humid, the company may recommend running a dehumidifier in this area all the time. If you have a leaky pipe in your home, they will recommend fixing it to stop the water source. Mold has trouble growing in homes that are cool and dry.
An Allergist Can Treat Your Allergies
Finally, you will need to look into the options available for treating mold allergies, and you can do this by visiting your allergist. One of the common methods used for treating mold allergies involves the use of antihistamines. An antihistamine is a medication that stops your body from producing histamines, and histamines are chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
Another option is using nasal corticosteroids. These are nasal sprays designed to decrease inflammation. Taking a decongestant may also be recommended by your allergist. If your symptoms are really severe, your doctor might talk to you about getting allergy shots. This is called immunotherapy and can make a huge difference with the way you feel.
Suffering from allergies is a common problem, and this is a problem that can be hard to fix. If you are tired of dealing with the allergy symptoms you experience from mold in your house, you must get rid of the mold and find effective treatment options to use to stop the symptoms. To learn more, schedule a visit with an allergist like Diane L. Ozog, MD, SC today.