Mold Allergy: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment Options

Mold reproduces by releasing tiny spores into the air. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) says as tiny mold spores become airborne, they can cause allergic reactions in people who have mold allergies. Exposure can occur just about anywhere: in the home, outdoors or at work.

How common is it? A 2006 position paper from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) estimated that approximately 10% of the population have IgE antibodies to common inhalant molds, and about half of those people, or 5% of the population, are predicted to have allergy symptoms from mold at some point. The same paper noted that outdoor exposure is generally more relevant than indoor exposure for becoming sensitized.

The AAAAI says the most common allergy-causing molds include Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium.

The ACAAI says mold allergy symptoms can be similar to those of other respiratory allergies, including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, irritated eyes, coughing, wheezing and itchy throat.

Table: common mold allergy symptoms and the medical source for each.

Two points from allergists help set expectations:

• Timing gives clues. The AAAAI says many people allergic to mold develop symptoms outdoors on days when mold spores are in the air, and you may also have symptoms indoors if mold is in your home, school or workplace.
• Some symptoms don't fit. The AAAAI says mold allergy is not usually a cause of chronic symptoms such as headache and fatigue.

For rashes specifically, see our guide to mold rash. For the full picture of mold-related symptoms, see black mold symptoms.

Mold allergy and asthma

Mold allergy and asthma often go together. The ACAAI says mold can also trigger or aggravate asthma symptoms. The CDC goes further: breathing in mold can trigger an asthma attack whether or not you are allergic to mold. Our guide to mold and your lungs covers asthma and rarer allergic lung conditions.

The ACAAI recommends seeing an allergist, who can conduct skin or blood tests that help pinpoint the allergy. These are the legitimate, validated ways to test for a mold allergy.

Table: allergy testing for mold, skin vs blood test.

A positive test isn't the whole answer. MedlinePlus warns that sometimes, the results may say you have an allergy when you actually don't. The AAAAI's position paper says a positive IgE result to mold without appropriate clinical evaluation should not necessarily be taken as an indicator of clinical disease. That's why an allergist reads the test alongside your history and symptoms. The ACAAI also suggests tracking your symptoms over a two-week period to help find the source.

Allergy tests are different from the urine "mycotoxin" or "mold toxicity" tests sold online. Those are not validated for diagnosis. Our guide to mold exposure tests explains the difference.

Avoidance comes first

The AAAAI says avoiding exposure to the allergen is the best way to manage your symptoms. Its advice includes:

• Stay indoors on days when mold counts are high.
• Be sure your indoor humidity stays below 60 percent.
• Remove basement carpeting and replace it with flooring that won't hold moisture.

The ACAAI adds practical tips: before yard work, wear a dust mask or take allergy medications in advance, then rinse your nose with saline and shower afterward. At home, clean up spills and leaks quickly and use dehumidifiers or exhaust fans. Our guides to dehumidifiers and air purifiers cover what to look for.

Medicines

Cleveland Clinic lists mold allergy medicines including antihistamine pills, over-the-counter nasal steroids, nasal antihistamine sprays, and inhaled corticosteroids for people with asthma. Its black mold page adds nasal irrigation, decongestants and montelukast. The ACAAI says antihistamines and decongestants can help relieve the symptoms. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which fits you, especially if you have other health conditions.

Allergy shots (immunotherapy)

The AAAAI says immunotherapy (allergy shots) are a form of treatment that provides long-term relief of symptoms, working by allowing your body to build natural immunity to the trigger. Cleveland Clinic also lists allergy shots (immunotherapy) as a treatment option. An allergist decides whether you're a candidate.

No. Cleveland Clinic says plainly, you can't cure mold allergies. Reactions can be managed by avoiding mold and taking the medicines your provider recommends. Allergy shots are the closest thing to a long-term fix: the AAAAI describes them as providing long-term relief, not a cure.

Be wary of anything sold as a "mold allergy cure," such as detox kits or supplements. Cleveland Clinic says you don't need to detox after black mold exposure.

People often ask whether they're allergic to "black mold" specifically. Stachybotrys chartarum is the mold usually meant by that name. The AAAAI's position paper says IgE testing for Stachybotrys should be discouraged, because Stachybotrys is unlikely to be a relevant clinical allergen in human subjects because it is poorly aerosolized and far less common than other mold allergens.

That doesn't mean black mold is fine to live with. Cleveland Clinic says mold may make your allergies or asthma worse if you're sensitive, and a moldy home usually has more than one kind of mold. The CDC says all molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal. See our black mold guide and is black mold dangerous? for more.

Since outdoor spores drive many mold allergies, local counts help. The Houston Health Department publishes pollen and mold spore counts Monday through Friday, except for City of Houston holidays, with a recorded message line and monthly archives. On high-count days, the AAAAI's advice to stay indoors applies.

We didn't find an official statewide source for Texas mold seasons, so we don't list month-by-month peaks here. Your allergist can help you match your symptoms to local counts.

Cleveland Clinic says: if you have allergy symptoms and you think mold is the cause, call a healthcare provider, and contact a provider if you have asthma or other breathing problems and suspect a mold allergy. Your primary care doctor can refer you to an allergist for testing.

For emergencies, Cleveland Clinic says to call emergency services or go to an emergency room right away if you have severe breathing problems.

A doctor, not a test of your house, diagnoses a mold allergy. A home mold test can't tell you whether you're allergic.

Medicine helps, but removing indoor mold reduces the trigger. TDLR says areas of visible mold of less than 25 contiguous square feet can be cleaned up by people who are not licensed. If you're the one with the allergy, the CDC advises people with allergies not to take part in cleanup; ask someone else, or hire a pro.

For bigger or hidden mold, use a licensed mold testing company to find it and write a plan, and a separate licensed mold removal company to remove it. Texas law says a license holder may not perform both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same project. Find licensed companies in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth or Austin, or browse the Texas directory. Verify any license with our license check tool.