Could Mold Be the Most Overlooked Indoor Allergy Symptom?

The seasons change but your allergy symptoms remain. You have itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, and nasal congestion.  You even suffer from chronic sinus infections. Consider this, according to the Mayo Clinic 93% of chronic sinus infections have been attributed to mold. 

Even if mold is not visible in the home it still may be present.  Mold can lurk behind walls, under carpeting, in ceilings, and virtually any space in the home conducive to its growth. Your home is at risk for mold growth if:

• Indoor humidity is above 55%
• You suffered water damage from a storm, had a flooded basement or a leaky pipe or leaky roof
• You are aware of an instance where walls, floors, ceilings, or another area of the home took on water and furnishings or building materials were saturated for more than 48 hours
• You have a moldy, musty, or damp smell in a part of your home

If you have concerns that mold may be the root of the problem of your allergy symptoms you should work closely along with your doctor and allergist to be properly tested.  You should not begin to open up parts of your home that you suspect may have mold growing in search of visual confirmation.  Opening up walls and disturbing areas where mold is growing will cause mold spores to become airborne inside of your home, which could possibly aggravate your symptoms even more.  

Perhaps you are aware of a small amount of mold growth but believe because it's in the crawlspace or basement it can’t possibly be bothering you.  Even if the source of mold in your home is in a faraway space in your home which you virtually never occupy it still may be causing your symptoms.