John Hilaire asked:

There are a number of allergens that can cause seasonal allergic rhinitis. Most of these identified allergens are airborne, such as the pollen that is blown about from trees, plants and grasses. Another type of airborne allergen, mold spores, is the seasonal culprit of mold allergies.

This type of allergy is generally found from spring to early fall, with a peak in the late summer months, although other types of mold can cause symptoms nearly year-round. The allergens that cause mold allergies are generally found in humid climates, and moist areas like rotted logs and compost piles.

They can also be found indoors in damp basements or closets, or even lurking in your shower stall. Fresh food storage areas are also a popular hangout for mold spores, as well as house plants and certain pieces of furniture.

Why do Mold Allergies Occur?

If you suffer from a mold allergy, your immune system has incorrectly identified mold spores as a substance that is harmful to your body. The response of your immune system is to produce antibodies called immunoglobulin that will create chemicals that will ward off these potentially damaging substances. The result is symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes and itching. In the case of a mold allergy, the mold spores are airborne and inhaled into the body through the respiratory tract.

This is why nasal congestion and coughs are common complaints of mold allergy sufferers. The incidence of symptoms from a mold allergy will be dependent on the abundance of the allergen and the ability of the air currents to spread the spores. These factors can be affected by changes in weather patterns throughout the day, making mold counts somewhat ineffective in determining the severity of the allergen exposure.

Treating Mold Allergies

Because mold allergies are airborne, they will most often result in the symptoms of rhinitis, which will include nasal congestion, watery eyes and coughing. The best treatment for rhinitis is generally an over-the-counter antihistamine, decongestant or nasal spray to treat the inflammation and congestion. If over-the-counter medications are not effective in treating your mold allergy symptoms, it is a good idea to see your doctor for possible prescription relief for your mold allergy.

There are a number of medicines that your doctor can recommend to treat your mold allergies through the use of prescription antihistamines and steroidal nasal sprays that will reduce the inflammation in your sinus passages. Allergies to molds and other airborne allergens can cause seasonal or even year-round rhinitis, depending on which allergens affect you. The good news is that there are many options in treating these allergies to allow you more symptom-free days and a higher quality of life.

Darrin Reservitz asked:


The different types of allergies can also have varying manifestations. The most common allergy symptoms affect the nose, sinuses, eyes, air passages, ears, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. If we were to name the different types of allergies based on the manifestations they have, there would be three major groups: respiratory, skin, and anaphylaxis.

The most common respiratory types of allergies involve rhinitis and asthma. These two usually manifest reaction in the nose, sinuses, and the other respiratory organs. Allergic rhinitis, for instance, is the inflammation of the nasal cavity and may cause symptoms such as a runny nose, fits of sneezing, congestion, and a sore throat. Allergic asthma, meanwhile, makes a person experience breathing problems, such as gasping, wheezing, chest tightness, et cetera. The most common allergy relief products that address the symptoms of both rhinitis and asthma are antihistamines.

Skin allergies, on the other hand, usually manifest themselves in the form of rashes. Some of the more common skin allergies are eczema, which is an inflamed thick rash that sometimes scales off; urticaria, which is an itchy rash that can be as small as pimples or as big as irritated insect bites; and contact dermatitis, which results in swollen rashes that may even ooze fluid and is sometimes caused by exposure to poisonous plants or highly allergenic materials. Skin allergy sufferers must refrain from touching their rashes. They can treat the irritation with allergy relief products such as specific salves or ointments. These types of allergies that involve the skin may call for consultation with a professional.

The most serious of allergic reactions is anaphylaxis. Different types of allergies may trigger anaphylactic shock, which can lead to death. Shellfish, nuts, eggs, insect stings, and some drugs can bring forth anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis affects your body by causing your blood pressure to drop, triggering fainting spells, making your face swell, and hindering normal respiration. There are allergy relief products that can address anaphylaxis and their immediate use is of great import.

It will serve anyone well to arm himself with information about various types of allergies and the specific allergy relief products to treat the symptoms. Even if a person does not have allergies, it would still be beneficial for him to know what to do in case he encounters somebody who is having an allergic reaction and may need his help. Knowing about allergies can save lives.