Many people have a mold allergy. Mold spores are the main culprit of seasonal mold allergies. Mold allergies are typically worst during the spring and early fall. It typically peaks in the late summer months.
The more humid and moist climates have mold allergies throughout the entire year.
Why are my mold allergies worse after a rain storm?
Mold allergy suffers have a build in weather forecasting system. They can tell when the weather is about to change. Typically a mold allergy suffer can feel the sinus pressure begin to build just prior to the weather changing and the storm from blowing in. The rain storm does not wash mold spores out of the air. Instead it stirs up the mold spores in the air and makes mold allergy suffers worse.
Do mold allergies exist indoors?
Even inside your home you are not shielded from mold allergies. There are several areas in your home that may be ideal for mold to grow.
Bathrooms have several water sources that make ideal mold growth zones.
• Inside of the toilet's bowl rim a little water can remain after each flush. This water along with the cool porcelain provide a great place for mold to grow.
• Shower around the window (if your bathroom has a window).
• Shower head
• Underneath liquid soap and conditioner bottles.
• Anti-slip bath tub mats especially the super soft and high grip ones are very prone to mold growth.
• Towel drying rack – especially if it is made out of wood.
• Vanity sink drain. Hair and other debris collect in the sink drain and provide an excellent environment for mold to grow.
Cellar / Basement
• A poorly waterproofed basement can turn into a damp and moist environment that is ideal to grow mold that will trigger your mold allergy. Poor ventilation or no ventilation will only increase the amount of humidity and moisture.
Air Conditioner Expansion Coil
• The air conditioner evaporator coil is located next to the blower unit, typically in the attic of most homes. The evaporator coil takes the compressed refrigerant and allows it to expand. The expansion of the refrigerant cools the air down significantly. This cooling effect also causes water vapor to turn into liquid. That is why there is a drain line connected to the evaporator coil. Since the coil gets cold and wet each time the air conditioner runs, any dirt that is gets trapped on the evaporator coil’s fins will become a breading ground for mold. Once this happens, each time the air conditioner runs it will be fueling your mold allergy.
How can I purge mold from my home?
Bathroom
• Run the exhaust fan during and afterwards each time the shower or bath tub is used. The exhaust fan will pump out the moist, humid air out of the bathroom.
• After each shower wipe off all standing water.
• Use a bleach cleaning agent to kill off any mold colonies that you find.
• Wash the bath tub anti slip mat periodically.
• When the anti-slip mat has mold growing on it, throw it out! Just the act of throwing out the anti-slip mat will cause your mold allergy to flare up.
• To get rid of any mold growing in the toilet bowl rim use a toilet tank treatment that is activated each time the toilet is flushed.
Cellar / Basement
• Have the exterior of the basement retaining walls water proofed to reduce the amount of moister coming into the cellar from the outside.
• Add ventilation either in the form of exterior fans or openings.
• Add air conditioning ducts and vents in the basement to provide a proper air circulation.
Air Conditioner Expansion Coil
• Have an air conditioning company inspect the coil, clean or replace as needed.
• Make it a habit to change out the furnace filters on a regular schedule.
• Switch to pleated filters from fiber glass.
Mold allergies vary from seasonal to year around based on where you live. Even indoors there are many places were mold can grow and cause a mold allergy attack. There are several steps that you can to reduce your exposure to mold spores that leads to a mold allergy attack.
How to Minimize Mold Allergy