Allergies: Mold Allergy
Mold is an organism that is present is most
places, outdoors and indoors. It is a type of fungus that
works to break down dead material and return nutrients to the
environment. Mold grows by digesting plant or animal matter,
such as leaves, wood, paper, dirt, and food and spreads by
releasing tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the
air. Mold grows quickly in moist dark spaces, such as
basements, garbage cans and piles of rotting
leaves.
On food,
mold often is visible on the food's surface, such as the fuzzy
green spots that appear on bread. However, molds also have
branches and roots. As it grows, the mold's roots can
penetrate deep inside the food, where it cannot be
seen.
All of us
are exposed to some mold every day with no bad effects. We may
breathe in mold spores that are present in the air or eat
foods in which mold has begun to grow. People with mold
allergies, however, may have a reaction if exposed to too much
of the fungus.
What Are the
Symptoms?
Symptoms of
a mold reaction are those typical of many other allergies.
They include:
- Wheezing
- Stuffy
or runny nose
- Itchy,
watery eyes
- Rash or
hives
If you have
a mold allergy, avoiding all exposure to mold may not be
possible. However, you can reduce your risk of reaction by
choosing your foods carefully. Check all foods for signs of
mold before you eat them. Do not smell foods to see if they
are spoiled because inhaling mold spores can set off an
allergic reaction. In addition, you can avoid foods that are
more likely to contain mold or other fungi, such as mushrooms
and yeast.
Common food
sources of mold include:
- Cheese
- Mushrooms
- Vinegar
and foods containing vinegar, such as salad dressing, catsup
and pickles
- Sour
cream, sour milk, and buttermilk
- Meat or
fish more than 24 hours old
- Breads
and other food made with yeast
- Sauerkraut
- Pickled
and smoked meats and fish
- Dried
fruits such as dates, prunes, figs and raisins
- Soy
sauce
- Hot
dogs, sausages
- Canned juices
