It is that time of year…after the crazy rains we have had, it is hard not to expect the mold spores to come. Unfortunately, for many patients, it also means an increase in their mold allergies. When I first came to Arizona, I thought I would never treat mold allergy again but unfortunately that is not the case. Many of our homes cannot tolerate the excess water they have been getting, water penetrates, and mold damage occurs.
What is mold?
According to the CDC, Mold, sometimes known as mildew, is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter.
How do you know if your are allergic to mold?
The suspicion is increased, for certain, if you have allergy symptoms after mold exposure, after a rain, or around a lot of decaying organic matter. These symptoms may include runny nose, itchy, red, runny eyes, sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, runny nose, sinus pain and pressure, sneezing, plugged ears, mild fever, and fatigue. If you have chronic allergic lung or skin conditions, like asthma or eczema, they may worsen as well. To confirm an allergy to mold, you can have a skin allergy testing performed to the most common molds of the regional area.
Do you have food allergies from mold?
Mold is in many food items. Symptoms include those for outdoor mold allergy plus shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, swelling of the throat, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Is there any treatment?
Aside from avoidance, which can be hard if you like to be outdoors, over-the-counter allergy remedies can be helpful for some patients. If the over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays don’t work for you anymore, you may be a good candidate for allergen immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy or “allergy shots” is used to decrease the overreaction of the immune system to mold as well as other allergens with which you may come in contact. See the following table for food items you should avoid. Allergy shots may help with some but not all of these foods, depending on the molds to which you are allergic.
Avoidance of mold in foods may also be necessary.
If you would like to be tested for your mold (or other) allergies or believe you might be a good candidate for testing and allergen immunotherapy, Dr. Wendt and her staff at Relieve Allergy, Asthma & Hives would love to help.
Call 480-500-1902 or request an appointment at https://relieveallergyaz.com/contact now! Begin your allergy testing journey with Dr. Wendt at Relieve Allergy in Scottsdale, Arizona—It’s time to take care of yourself!
Learn more about Dr. Wendt and Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives at www.relieveallergyaz.com or connect with us: https://www.facebook.com/RelieveAllergy/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-wendt/, https://x.com/RelieveAllergy, https://www.instagram.com/relieve_allergy/ or https://www.youtube.com/@JulieWendt-qx7jm. Did you know? Dr. Wendt wrote the book on allergies. Buy it at: https://geni.us/WhatsEatingOurKids
Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives is located near Kierland Commons, 21803 N. Scottsdale Road Ste. 200, and has convenient evening and morning hours to accommodate your schedule. Dr. Wendt is also available for telemedicine appointments as appropriate. Most insurance plans are accepted.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is not meant to substitute for medical care by an Allergist-Immunologist nor is it intended to provide medical advice or imply a Physician-Patient relationship with its readers or their family. It is intended to provide guidance, direction, and moral support from someone experienced in testing and treating allergies. This is also not meant to be a “do-it-yourself” manual or a “how to” overcome your allergies. Some of the issues mentioned, whether allergic or look-a-like, can be dangerous or if left unchecked, deadly. Please develop a relationship with a Physician you trust to help you with diagnosis, advice, questions, and treatment regarding your and your family’s medical conditions.
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