Mold Allergy Treatment

Mold allergy, as the name suggests is caused by molds. Molds fall into the category of fungi and have thread like elements, called hyphae. Molds whether living or dead, and even mold spores can act as allergens, causing a mold allergy. Molds are present in the soil, air and any other place with sufficient humidity, oxygen or organic matter.

The symptoms of mold allergy are quite similar to those of a ragweed allergy or any other form of weed allergy. Running or stuffed noses, sneezing, coughing and headaches are the most common mold allergy symptoms. People suffering from mold allergy may also suffer from temporary impaired hearing issues.

Mold Allergy Treatment

When it comes to the treatment of any sort of allergy, the golden rule always stays the same, 'Prevention is better than cure.' It is always better to take preventive measures on a regular basis, if you are mold allergic. Since there is a very small percentage of people who are immune to this form of allergy, a few preventive steps should always be taken at a personal levels in our homes. The first and foremost thing that needs to be done is to store food properly. Food should be properly refrigerated as stale food is one very important source that generates molds. It is also very important to control the humidity level of the place where we stay or work. Dehumidifiers solve this purpose in places with extreme humidity. The use of allergy reducing products should be promoted at a personal level.

Now coming down to the actual treatment part, it is a truth that there is no proper treatment for mold allergy. However, there are treatments available for the symptoms caused by mold allergy. First, let's take a look at the medical treatments that are available for patients suffering from mold allergy. The inflammation caused during mold allergy can be treated with nasal corticosteroids. Various corticosteroids are available in the market. Fluticasone, propionate, memetasone, beclomethasone are a few of these corticosteroids. Corticosteroids generally form the first step of the medication that is given to people suffering from mold allergy. When dealing with irritation in the nose, antihistamines come in very handy. Itching, sneezing and runny noses can be cured by antihistamines like loratadine, cetirizine, diphenhydramine and clemastine. Azelastine is one of the nose sprays, that works very well as an antihistamine, but should only be used with a doctor's prescription. Phenylephrine and oxymetazoline are two decongestants, that are also prescribed to people suffering from mold allergy. The process of stopping the flow of excess mucus, is done by blocking the action of leukotrienes, the hormones that cause running noses. Monteluxast tablets serve this problem very well.

The other form of treatment that the people suffering from mold allergy can take, is immunotherapy. In the process of immunotherapy, allergy shots are given to people who are susceptible to suffer from mold allergy. Immunotherapy should only be taken with the advice of a certified medical practitioner and that to only after all the previous health history is presented to the medical practitioner. Only if the health practitioner agrees to the procedure, after taking into due consideration of the medical history of the patient, can he can go ahead with the treatment. Immunotherapy if completed with due care, can infact provide a long term relief from mold allergy. One important remedy, that can be taken against mold allergy, at the home level, is rinsing your nose with saline water. The water should contain just one-fourth spoon of salt and two cups of warm water.

The above listed procedures whether medical or home made therapies can only provide you relief from the symptoms and not the root causes of allergy. Mold allergy, though cannot be classified as a disease, can cause serious irritation in one's health, impairing his ability to work normally.