Mould and Mould Allergy
Moulds are an underestimated and unacknowledged cause of a great deal of misery amongst allergic people. They can cause a wide range of symptoms including asthma, allergic rhinitis, depression and joint pain. In the past mould has needed to be treated with toxic fungicides. Now, the Indoor Allergy Range can be used with confidence that it is effective, safe and easy to use and makes a huge difference to those suffering from mould allergy. People tend to think of moulds as a problem in very poor houses in severely disadvantaged areas. In fact, many modern homes easily provide the 3 things that moulds need to survive and reproduce – moisture, oxygen and something to eat. The “something to eat” takes many forms and moulds live happily in basements, closets, bathrooms and fresh food storage areas and on house plants, humidifiers, garbage pails, refrigerated drip trays, mattresses, upholstered furniture, foam rubber pillows, wall cavities, wood floors, carpeting, tiles, acrylic paint and plasterboard!! The perfect environment is created by damp, leaks or floods coupled with poor ventilation. Moulds reproduce by producing tiny spores that become airborne and it is these that they are ingested or inhaled. Their best friends in terms of reproduction are the vacuum cleaner, the builder and the air conditioner. Physical disturbance helps to disperse the spores. Mould spores are often released when there is a change in the environment, when moist conditions suddenly become warm, when the central heating first goes on in a damp house, or when plants or Christmas trees are brought into a warmer interior. "Using a tumble drier, ironing clothes, drying wet towels or hanging wet laundry near a strong heat source will stimulate spore production." Outdoor mould spores are often more prolific in late summer and autumn, during the harvest time and as fallen leaves collect on the ground. There is often a proliferation of mould after the first frost or during the spring thaw in colder countries. People who suffer from mould allergies are sometimes also sensitive to mushrooms, cheese, dried fruits etc because of their high mould content. The majority of moulds produce allergens so jeopardise the health of immune compromised individuals --- the very young, the elderly, the sick and of course, people who are predisposed to asthma, rhinitis and other allergies. There are some species that produce mycotoxins and these are classed as highly dangerous. Indoor moulds have been divided into 3 hazard classes: Hazard Class A – Mycotoxin producers that are highly hazardous to health & must be dealt with immediately Hazard Class B – Moulds that may cause allergic reactions to occupants if present indoors over a prolonged period of time Hazard Class C – Includes fungi not known to be a hazard to health but may cause economic damage so preferably not present
Unfortunately, there are over 100,000 species of mould and at least 31 genera (family groups) are commonly found in the home. With the Indoor Allergy Range these can be treated safely and effectively. To download the PDF on where these various moulds are found, please click here. Symptoms of mould allergy
"The common symptoms of mould allergy include allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, eustachian tube obstruction, itching of the nose or eyes, fatigue, and weakness. Mould spores can enter the lungs causing asthma, a build-up of mucus, wheezing, and breathing difficulties. Dermatological and intestinal symptoms are also well documented. Cerebral symptoms can include: catatonic state, depression, crying, anger, confusion, fear, dizziness, anxiety, irritability, hostility, inability to concentrate, headaches, and hyperactivity". Moulds are also instrumental in the feeding cycle of dust mites, aiding the proliferation of the mites within the house. What should I do if I have a mould allergy? Safeguarding your health and your home.
For most of us identification of different moulds is not a realistic objective. At The Healthy House we advocate one simple course of action – ZERO TOLERANCE! Allergy sufferers are advised to avoid cleaning basements and cellars and should always take care when handling flower pot & garden soil. If there is any reason to believe that the mould is hazard class A, any individual who cleans the area is advised to wear a face mask.
The most important place to start is inside the house. It is important to tackle damp areas and if possible eliminate moisture in places where mould is likely to grow.
Always make sure there is adequate ventilation and air circulation. Tackle any leaks either in the roof, walls or piping in the house. Remove furniture that smells musty as this will be harbouring moulds, and wherever possible remove carpets that might have been damp - the carpet at the entrance to an en-suite bathroom is particularly likely to harbour moulds. Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air. Even if a room does not feel at all damp you will be amazed how much moisture these machines take out of the air on a daily basis. They reduce dampness at a very fast rate and are a crucial part of tackling any mould problems. Click here for more information about dehumidifiers.
Some air cleaners will remove the mould spores from the air. All the air purifiers sold at The Healthy House deal with mould spores in some form, however the Airfree Air Sterilsers are specifically designed to combat mould and reduces mould growth by up to 99%. Please click here for more information on the Airfrees. Once sources of humidity have been dealt with we recommend the use of the Indoor Allergy Range which has been independently proven to get rid of any moulds in carpets, furnishings, bathrooms and kitchens. Most importantly, the products are not only effective anti-fungals, based on Eucalyptus & Ylang-ylang Essential Oils and Benzyl benzoate, they are also SAFE for the ALLERGY SUFFERER. The range now holds the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.HomeCleanse is suitable for use on mattresses, sofas and soft furnishings, tiles and walls. For information on how to use these product to treat mould, please click here. For routine mould control AirCleanse™ should be used once per week to deal with any airborne spores that come in as a matter of course. HomeCleanse™ and FabriCleanse™ are recommended for use in the home every 3 months in order to deal with spores that are brought in from soil, plants and other outside sources as a natural course of events. In damp, polluted areas, the treatments will keep the treated surfaces free of moulds for a minimum of 1 month. Needless to say, if you do have recurrent moulds in certain areas, you need to seek professional help to find the source of excess moisture and improve the ventilation in the area. A Weather Station that checks the relative humidity will alert you to whether you need to invest in a dehumidifier to extract the humidity from the air. Fungal control in the home is just as important as protecting the family from food poisoning and oro-faecal disease especially if they are prone to allergic reactions! Disclaimer
Information included in this website is intended for information purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for consultation with a medical practitioner. |
