Allergies Archives

Mold Spores – Know the Enemy – Mold Part 2

A few questions we get fairly often are about mold spores in the air all the time and which ones are allergenic. Like pollens, mold spores are airborne allergens that are abundant, inside as well as outside, easily carried by air currents, and allergenic in their chemical makeup.

Found almost everywhere, mold spores in some areas are so numerous they often outnumber the pollens in the air.

Fortunately, however, only a few dozen different types of mold spores are significant allergens. In general, Alternaria and Cladosporium (Hormodendrum) are the molds most commonly found both indoors and outdoors throughout the United States. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aureobasidium (Pullularia) are also common.

Are there mold spore-related disorders?

Fungi or microorganisms related to them may cause other health problems similar to allergic diseases. Some kinds of Aspergillus may cause several different illnesses, including both infections and allergies. These fungi may lodge in the airways or a distant part of the lung and grow until they form a compact sphere known as a “fungus ball.”

In people with lung damage or serious underlying illnesses, Aspergillus may grasp the opportunity to invade the lungs or the whole body. In some individuals, exposure to these fungi also can lead to asthma or to a lung disease resembling severe inflammatory asthma called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

This latter condition, which occurs only in a minority of people with asthma, is characterized by wheezing, low-grade fever, and coughing up brown-flecked masses or mucus plugs. Skin testing, blood tests, X-rays, and examination of the sputum for fungi can help establish the diagnosis. Corticosteroid drugs are usually effective in treating this reaction; immunotherapy (allergy shots) is not helpful.

IAQ Regulations and Mold Spores

Standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.

Up Next – Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

Till next time

Cheryl
Allergy Store – Helping customers since 1989
800 771-2246

Be Prepared – A Bee Sting Can Kill You

Did you know about 40 to 50 people die each year in the US from bee stings? Its not something I give much thought to but then I am not allergic to stinging insects. Last summer when one flew through the window and stung my hand while I was driving the only thing that came to mind was how much it hurt.

There are over 2 million people in this country that are allergic to insect stings/bites and for some, it really could lead to death. One sting or bite could cause them to have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis shock) and if treated not immediately can be fatal. The most common insects that cause allergic reactions in people are bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and fire ants. Fire ants are a real problem here in South Florida.

Since these bugs are more active in the spring and fall you should take a few precautions even if you are not allergic to them.

Wear closed-toe shoes when in the grass. Bees and some wasps will get get down in the grass where you don’t know they are there until you step on them.
Wear light-colored clothing. Not only will it keep you cooler but they are less attractive to flying insects.
Avoid using perfumes, scented lotions, and colognes before going outside. Insects are like people who smell good.
Be careful around wet areas when insects like to feed.
When gardening check in and around the bushes for insects before you start working. I know someone who sprays water on her bushes to make sure the bugs move.
Keep your EpiPen handy and if you know you are allergic to bug bites.

Prevention is always better than cure.

Wishing you the best of health

Mike Krause
The Allergy Store – Helping our customers since 1989
800 771-2246

Our Government and Healthy Housing

We were listening to the news the other day and heard a blurb about our government wanting to make sure we have healthy homes. Just now had the time to look into it and to be honest I personally think Washington has other thing to be concerned about.

“Establish healthy homes recommendations (homes should be dry, clean, pest-free, safe, contaminant-free, well-ventilated, and well-maintained and thermally controlled)”

When we owned the service company I saw first hand homes that were in need of some TLC. Some had water leaks, mold, bad insulation, poor ventilation, leaky windows and much worse in a few homes. Did some of these problems add to the customers allergy and asthma problems. I would say yes.

We have helped thousands of customers over the years improve their indoor environment. It is what we do and we are glad to do it. Should there be local, state and federal regulations to control it or make you do it. NO

Wishing you the best of health

Mike Krause
Allergy Store – Helping customer since 1989
800 771-2246