Mould allergies

Mould spores are prolific everywhere throughout our environment. Most people associate mould with damp walls and similar extreme situations. The fact of the matter is that we are all exposed to moulds to varying extents in our everyday activities. They include the black mould that forms on window frames and others that are found on decaying food; also mushrooms and fungi that grow wild. Exposure to mould is widespread, so it is difficult to determine how much mould an individual is exposed to in everyday life. Like dust allergens, mould allergies are perennial and allergic people exhibit symptoms throughout the year, although levels rise in the autumn, during wet, mild weather and harvesting.

Customers / Patients with a mould allergy have an immune system which overreacts when they breathe in mould spores. A mould allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes and other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, a mould allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms. Although medications can help with their mould allergic reaction the best defence is to reduce their exposure to the types of mould that cause their reaction in the first place.

The following measures can be communicated to your customers to help minimise contact with moulds.

Avoiding indoor moulds

• Moulds flourish in damp environments, therefore one of the best ways to prevent their growth is ventilation.
• Avoiding damp basements, compost piles, fallen leaves, cut grass, barns and wooded areas. Alternatively wear a face mask if these places or things are unavoidable.
• Thorough cleaning of the kitchen, bathroom, and utility room, with subsequent ventilation of these areas will help prevent mould growth. Pay particular attention to walls behind kitchen units and cupboards; the lack of ventilation often means that excess mould grows in these areas.
• Open windows and close internal kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking, showering, or bathing to prevent steam entering other rooms. Keep bathroom surfaces dry. Do not hang wet clothes inside or over radiators.
• Do not let food decay. Clean and thoroughly dry problem areas such as refrigerator seals.
• Clean mould from window frames and dry condensation.
• Do not hang clothes in damp cupboards or pack clothes too tightly in wardrobes. Leave wardrobe doors ajar to ventilate the clothes.
• Make sure that the tumble dryer is vented outside during use or use a condenser-dryer. Try not to dry damp clothing indoors.
• When showering or cooking, keep internal doors closed to prevent damp air spreading through the house. Use extract fans and cooker hoods vented outside.
• Get rid of old foam pillows and mattresses.
• Do not bring in damp wood for the fire. Avoid burning wood inside that has been kept in a damp shed.
• Strip wallpaper from damp walls. Tackle any areas of dampness on walls etc.
• Remove piles of old newspapers.
• Keep houseplants to a minimum and change the soil regularly.
• Do not use humidifiers.
• If using a dehumidifier, the ideal indoor humidity is 50-55%. Empty and clean the reservoir regularly.
• Avoid using paraffin heaters and bottled gas heaters as they can generate large amounts of moisture.

Avoiding outdoor moulds 

• Avoid spending time in buildings where hay or grain is stored.
• Avoiding damp and musty buildings.
• Avoid cutting grass, raking leaves, and turning compost heaps.
• Do not walk in the woods in mild damp conditions or among rotting leaves.
• Avoid country areas during harvesting, particularly when sunny and windy. 
• Allergy bedding covers protect customers from mould spores within the mattress, pillows, and duvets.
• Filter facemasks, like those worn by cyclists, trap spores.
• Mechanical ventilation systems can remove spores.

There are some useful resources and factsheets on moulds at Allergy UK Moulds.