James T. Li, M.D., a specialist in allergy, asthma and immunology at Mayo Clinic, answers questions about mold allergies.
Oasis: What are molds and how do they cause allergies?
Dr. Li: There are many different types of molds, which are fungi that can grow in almost every environment, both indoors and outdoors. Mold particles or spores become airborne like pollen. If someone who is sensitive to a mold, particularly an outdoor mold, inhales the mold spores or mold particles, it can cause either an asthmatic-type reaction or symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever), or both. People who are especially sensitive can have more severe reactions to mold than those who have reactions to pollen. Some people with asthma who are also sensitive to mold are at a higher risk of fatal or near-fatal asthma attacks, especially on days with high mold counts.
Oasis: Are the mold and pollen seasons in North America somewhat close together?
Dr. Li: The outdoor mold season varies. It's not as well-defined as the pollen season. But basically it starts in spring and ends in late fall. Usually the worst months are June, July and August. The mold season is longer, sometimes year-round, in warmer climates.
Oasis: Are there allergy problems with both outdoor and indoor molds?
Dr. Li: Yes, molds can be an indoor problem, particularly in damp environments. If you have a damp basement, it certainly can be a place where molds can thrive. Indoor molds and dust mites often go together. If you have a home with high indoor humidity, dampness and a musty odor, it's also likely to have dust mites and molds that can cause allergy symptoms in sensitive people. In addition, the spores from outdoor molds can enter indoor environments through open windows and doors.
Oasis: As with pollen, is it difficult to control exposure to molds?
Dr. Li: Yes. During the summer months, there are mold spores and mold particles in the air. As long as you're outside there's really no easy way to avoid exposure to outdoor molds. It's possible to reduce the indoor concentrations of outdoor molds by closing windows and doors and running air conditioners. As far as indoor molds go, high humidity is usually the culprit. We advise people generally not to run humidifiers in the home for two reasons. First, by increasing the indoor humidity, you promote mold growth or dust mite proliferation. And second, humidifiers themselves, if they aren't clean, can be reservoirs for mold.
Oasis: What about dehumidifiers?
Dr. Li: Dehumidifiers usually don't cause a problem — if you clean them regularly. I think dehumidifiers may be of some benefit in reducing the indoor humidity. But if the home has a lot of indoor humidity, a dehumidifier probably is not enough to control the situation. Something more may have to be done, such as landscaping around the house (to promote proper drainage) or fixing water leaks.
Oasis: Can people be sensitive to some types of molds and not others?
Dr. Li: Yes. And that's an important issue in the management of mold allergies. There are so many different kinds of molds that we literally can't keep track of them all. We do have some understanding about some of the more common molds, but there are many types of molds which are probably important in causing allergies that we just don't understand very well.
The allergy skin test extracts (given to stimulate symptoms) that we have for molds aren't quite as accurate as those for pollen, dust mites and animals. Part of the reason is that there are just too many types of molds. In addition, allergy shot treatment for mold allergies isn't quite as effective as the allergy shots we have for pollen. That's all the more reason for people sensitive to molds to see their physician to have their allergies carefully reviewed and treated with proper medicines.Oasis: What are molds and how do they cause allergies?
Dr. Li: There are many different types of molds, which are fungi that can grow in almost every environment, both indoors and outdoors. Mold particles or spores become airborne like pollen. If someone who is sensitive to a mold, particularly an outdoor mold, inhales the mold spores or mold particles, it can cause either an asthmatic-type reaction or symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever), or both. People who are especially sensitive can have more severe reactions to mold than those who have reactions to pollen. Some people with asthma who are also sensitive to mold are at a higher risk of fatal or near-fatal asthma attacks, especially on days with high mold counts.
Oasis: Are the mold and pollen seasons in North America somewhat close together?
Dr. Li: The outdoor mold season varies. It's not as well-defined as the pollen season. But basically it starts in spring and ends in late fall. Usually the worst months are June, July and August. The mold season is longer, sometimes year-round, in warmer climates.
Oasis: Are there allergy problems with both outdoor and indoor molds?
Dr. Li: Yes, molds can be an indoor problem, particularly in damp environments. If you have a damp basement, it certainly can be a place where molds can thrive. Indoor molds and dust mites often go together. If you have a home with high indoor humidity, dampness and a musty odor, it's also likely to have dust mites and molds that can cause allergy symptoms in sensitive people. In addition, the spores from outdoor molds can enter indoor environments through open windows and doors.
Oasis: As with pollen, is it difficult to control exposure to molds?
Dr. Li: Yes. During the summer months, there are mold spores and mold particles in the air. As long as you're outside there's really no easy way to avoid exposure to outdoor molds. It's possible to reduce the indoor concentrations of outdoor molds by closing windows and doors and running air conditioners. As far as indoor molds go, high humidity is usually the culprit. We advise people generally not to run humidifiers in the home for two reasons. First, by increasing the indoor humidity, you promote mold growth or dust mite proliferation. And second, humidifiers themselves, if they aren't clean, can be reservoirs for mold.
Oasis: What about dehumidifiers?
Dr. Li: Dehumidifiers usually don't cause a problem — if you clean them regularly. I think dehumidifiers may be of some benefit in reducing the indoor humidity. But if the home has a lot of indoor humidity, a dehumidifier probably is not enough to control the situation. Something more may have to be done, such as landscaping around the house (to promote proper drainage) or fixing water leaks.
Oasis: Can people be sensitive to some types of molds and not others?
Dr. Li: Yes. And that's an important issue in the management of mold allergies. There are so many different kinds of molds that we literally can't keep track of them all. We do have some understanding about some of the more common molds, but there are many types of molds which are probably important in causing allergies that we just don't understand very well.
Oasis: What other things can people do to control indoor mold exposure besides closing windows and doors, running air conditioners and trying to control indoor humidity?
Dr. Li: The recommendations are similar to those to control dust mite allergies: Remove carpeting from the home, cover bedding with allergy-proof encasements, and make sure there's adequate ventilation.
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