Mold Allergy Treatment & Testing in St. Louis, MO

Molds are fungal growths that release microscopic spores into the air. These spores are responsible for mold allergies in individuals that are allergic. Mold exposure can occur outdoors or indoors, which is why it’s important to be mindful of your environment if you have a mold allergy or suspect that you have an allergy to mold. Mold persists in damp, humid, and cool environments especially in decaying plant matter, which is relatively common in St. Louis Missouri’s wetter seasons.

Outside mold allergies can be from felled leaves, grass clippings, compost piles, uncut grass fields, and rotting or wet wood. Outdoor mold allergens are least prevalent in the Missouri winter and become more prevalent as temperatures warm again.

Indoors mold allergies are typically from mold that grows in your basement, in your bathroom, in the cabinet under your sink, and in other damp areas of your home, school, or workplace, triggering allergic reactions that persist year-round. If your home is susceptible to mold, spores may also be found in dust, especially near damp areas.

There are roughly 1,000 known species of mold in the United States, but only a handful of mold species are associated with allergies, the most common being Alternara, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium.

in St. Louis, Missouri

Mold Allergy Symptoms

For most individuals, mold allergy symptoms are quite similar to seasonal allergy symptoms caused by grass and ragweed. In general, mold allergy can mimic other allergic conditions, which is why proper allergy testing is necessary to find the root cause of your symptoms.

Common mold allergy symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose
• Itchy mouth and lips
• Asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness

Though less common, it is also possible for mold allergies to trigger more severe symptoms, including:

• Wheezing
• Hives
• Worsening eczema
• Swollen eyelids
• Upset stomach

Mold Allergy Test

A mold allergy test in St. Louis begins with a detailed medical history where Dr. Cajigal will ask you about your symptoms and when you’ve experienced them. A mold allergy can usually be confirmed with a skin prick test, but Dr. Cajigal may order other tests as needed if a skin prick test is inconclusive or cannot be performed.

The skin prick mold allergy test technique involves applying liquid droplets of a concentrated mold spore extract to the surface of the forearm or upper back. Positive controls and negative controls are also applied to compare how the mold extract reacts. Your allergist will then make a tiny prick through each drop on the surface of your skin. If you are allergic to mold, a raised and red bump, called a wheal, will appear within 15 to 20 minutes of the skin prick. The diameter of the wheal is compared to the positive and negative controls to determine if you’re allergic.

in St. Louis, Missouri

Mold Allergy Treatment in St. Louis

Avoiding exposure to mold is the most effective way to find mold allergy symptom relief. However, if you do find yourself in moldy environments at home or at work, mold allergy treatment can be done with a combination of avoidance techniques, environmental changes, allergy medications, and/or allergy shots.

Avoiding Mold

• Stay indoors when mold counts are high
• Avoid uncut fields or raking leaves
• Take a shower after coming indoors to wash off mold spores
• Change clothes after coming indoors to avoid spreading them throughout the house
• Regularly clean garbage cans and refrigerator drip pans
• Regularly clean your gutters and ensure drainage flows away from your home’s foundation
• Quickly clean up any spills, leaks, or messes to prevent mold from growing

Removing Mold from Your Home

• Fix leaking faucets and pipes
• Reduce humidity in your home by using dehumidifiers or exhaust fans
• Open windows to dry out wet rooms, such as the bathroom after showering
• Remove carpeting in areas that tend to retain moisture, such as in your basement
• Wash and dry fabrics if they remain damp for an extended period of time
• Clean mold off of walls using a vinegar solution

In addition to the above, Dr. Cajigal can help you identify other sources of mold allergy in your home or in your place of work.

Mold Allergy Medications

Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)

References