AAAAI Mold can trigger allergies

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Mold can trigger allergies

Friday, May 19, 2006

http://www2.townonline.com/bolton/artsLifestyle/view.bg?

articleid=498580

The effects of this week's flooding in New England may linger long

after cleanup is complete, as mold spores enter damp homes and

prosper. Molds, which thrive in a damp environment, trigger allergic

rhinitis, which affects nearly 40 million Americans, according to

the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

" Exposure to mold can trigger an allergic reaction such as nasal

stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, coughing and hay fever-like

symptoms, " said K. Bush, MD, chair of the AAAAI's Indoor

Allergen Committee.

Molds are microscopic organisms that thrive in warm, damp places

like homes and businesses that have been flooded. Mold may be

invisible to the eye, or may look like furry growth, black stains or

specks of black, white, orange, green and brown on surfaces. Large

infestations of mold can usually be seen or give off a musty odor;

surfaces like carpets and wallpaper should be dried as soon as

possible after flooding to prevent mold growth. Mold can be found

indoors - in bathrooms, basements, under sinks and near leaky pipes,

and outside - near heavy vegetation, in piles of leaves, in grass or

near hay or straw.

What can be done?

The AAAAI recommends that you take the following steps to rid

your home of mold:

Repair leaking roof and pipes.

Maintain a low level of humidity in your home (between 35 to 40

percent); if necessary, use a de-humidifier to remove moisture.

Use a solution of warm water, liquid detergent and 5 percent

bleach to clean the mold on washable surfaces.

Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and wipe down the shower after

each use.

If mold is visible on soft spaces, such as carpeting or

wallpaper, these things should be removed.

Once mold starts to grow in insulation or wallboard, the only

way to deal with the problem is by removal and replacement. Mold

under carpets typically requires that the carpets be removed.

The role of the allergist/immunologist

An allergist/immunologist can evaluate your symptoms and help

you determine which are caused by mold. Once your allergic triggers

are determined, your allergist/immunologist will work with you to

develop a plan to avoid the allergens that trigger your symptoms. To

find an allergist/immunologist in your area or to learn more about

allergies and asthma, call the AAAAI Physician Referral and

Information Line at 1-800-822-2762 or visit the AAAAI Web site at

www.aaaai.org

Courtesy of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology,

the largest professional medical specialty organization in the

United States, representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical

immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special

interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease.