Not fitting into the Mold? A brief guide to Mold Allergy

It is that time of year…after the crazy rains we have had, it is hard not to expect the mold spores to come. Unfortunately, for many patients, it also means an increase in their mold allergies. When I first came to Arizona, I thought I would never treat mold allergy again but unfortunately that is not the case. Many of our homes cannot tolerate the excess water they have been getting, water penetrates, and mold damage occurs.

What is mold? According to the CDC, Mold, sometimes known as mildew, is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter.

How do you know if your are allergic to mold? The suspicion is increased, for certain, if you have allergy symptoms after mold exposure, after a rain, or around a lot of decaying organic matter. These symptoms may include runny nose, itchy, red, runny eyes, sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, runny nose, sinus pain and pressure, sneezing, plugged ears, mild fever, and fatigue. If you have chronic allergic lung or skin conditions, like asthma or eczema, they may worsen as well. To confirm an allergy to mold, you can have a skin allergy testing performed to the most common molds of the regional area.

Is there any treatment?  Aside from avoidance, which can be hard if you like to be outdoors, over-the-counter allergy remedies can be helpful for some patients. If the over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays don’t work for you anymore, you may be a good candidate for allergen immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy or “allergy shots” is used to decrease the overreaction of the immune system to mold as well as other allergens with which you may come in contact.

If you would like to be tested for your allergies or believe you might be a good candidate for allergen immunotherapy, Dr. Wendt and her staff at Relieve Allergy, Asthma & Hives would love to help.

Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives is located near Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter, DC Ranch and Grayhawk at 21803 N. Scottsdale Road Ste. 200, on the corners of Deer Valley and Scottsdale Roads, and has convenient evening and early morning hours to accommodate your schedule.

Dr. Wendt is also available for telemedicine appointments as appropriate. Insurance plans accepted. Call 480-500-1902 today to schedule an appointment now and begin your allergy testing and treatment with Dr. Wendt at Relieve Allergy, Asthma & Hives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Learn more about Dr. Wendt and Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives at www.relieveallergyaz.com and FOLLOW US on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Linked In.