Differences Between Mold Sensitivities and Mold Allergies

The Differences Between Mold Sensitivities and Mold Allergies

Molds emit chemicals, Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs, also known as mycotoxins), when the colony is threatened or during their reproductive cycle. These chemicals, carried on the mold’s spores, are extremely potent and are considered dangerous to our health. Even after a mold spore is dead it remains toxic. If these dead spores remain in your home in high concentrations, they can still make you sick. If your body reacts to mold, is the reaction due to a sensitivity or is it due to an allergy?

Allergy or Sensitivity?

Allergies are characterized by an immune system reaction to a substance, in this case mold. The immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the offending substance. A sensitivity involves no immune response. Sensitivity responses can range from digestive tract to neurological issues. Both allergies and sensitivities can be quite serious, even life threatening. Allergies can often times be medically addressed, with sensitivities, which can become more serious when the exposure is repeated or prolonged, your only choice is avoidance. Sensitivities are more common than allergies.

Mold Allergies and the Immune System Response

When you have a mold allergy, your immune system reacts to you inhaling mold spores. These reactions can be coughing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, symptoms that makes life miserable for the person with the allergy. If you are an asthma sufferer, your asthma symptoms can be triggered by exposure to mold and mold spores.

Mold Sensitivities

Knowledge of mold sensitivity, even hypersensitivity, to certain toxins produced by molds is gaining recognition in the medical community. Even when exposed to extremely small amounts of mold toxins,  reactions can result a variety of negative health effects. For instance, if a sensitive person were to handle a book contaminated with a mold toxin, they could become very sick. Hypersensitivity builds up due to prolonged contact with mold, mold spores, or the toxins released by the mold. Mold allergies can be diagnosed with a skin test or blood test. There are no tests for mold sensitivities.

Preventing Exposure in Your Home

Needless to say, mold exposure can adversely affect your health. In order to limit the amount of mold and mold spores in your home, you must keep your home as clean as possible and free of visible mold. That means doing the following:

• Eliminate sources of wetness or dampness by regularly checking for leaks or high humidity.
• Use a dehumidifier to maintain humidity levels between 30-50%. High humidity can provide the moisture need for mold to develop and grow.
• Increase air circulation, mold does not like air movement. Air movement can also keep mold spores from accumulating in high concentrations in your home.

Prolonged exposure to mold is unhealthy whether you have sensitivities or allergies. The only ways to limit exposure are to 1.) move out - which is not reasonable, or 2.) have the mold professionally removed by Water Mold Fire Restoration. We can be reached via email at help@watermoldfire.net or by calling 800-905-0277. We will have a certified mold remediation specialist come to your home and examine your mold problem at no charge to you, and with no obligation.