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If you have noticed that something in the air is affecting your sinuses, causing a runny or stuffy nose with sinus pressure and headaches, then you probably are allergic to mold. Molds typically do not cause the itchy eyes and nose that is associated with pollen from plants and trees, but instead create inflammation in mucous membranes in the nose and sinuses. All of the unpleasant accompaniments to this include runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, mild cough, headache, impaired hearing (when Eustachian tubes are affected) and post nasal drip (sometimes associated with a feeling of nausea).

The “musty” smell associated with mold is often the first thing that you will notice. There may be no mold visible, but the heavy scent indicates the fungus is probably living in your walls or some other warm, dark and damp area. Many people without allergies find that the “musty” odor of mold causes headaches and nausea.

Mold is very an opportunistic allergen, using duct work to spread spores throughout your home or even taking up residence inside the ducts themselves, spewing millions of spores out through your vents. In fact, anywhere in your house where there is warmth, moisture and no direct sunlight, mold will grow. Some of the most lived-in parts of your home are perfect for the fungi to grow—places like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements are the most common.

The primary reason why mold adheres to certain surfaces is that it needs a food source in order to grow. Unlike plants that rely on the sun to produce energy, molds live off of a host—and in consuming the surface that they live on, molds quicken decaying processes. Many of the elements found in your home are perfect for mold, like tile, grout, fabric, wood, paint and plaster. So you are supplying the warmth, moisture and food source for molds without even realizing it.

So, what can be done to prevent a mold-jungle from sprouting?

1. Run a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air; but make sure that you clean it and air conditioning units regularly (or they might become a filled with mold).
2. Turn on an exhaust fan or open a window for 20-30 minutes after taking a shower to thoroughly dry the air.
3. Wash shower curtains regularly and pay close attention to cleaning grout and tiles in your bathroom—try using a type of bathroom spray cleaner that is formulated to kill mildew.
4. Use paints for the walls of your basement or laundry room that are made with mold inhibitors in them.
5. And lastly, you can eliminate mold spores in the air with specially designed air purifiers so that they won’t spread to other places in your house. A great solution is the Air Oasis In Duct air purifier. It destroys mold that is living in your ducts and basically turns your heating, ventilation and air condition unit into a whole-house air purifier and mold eliminator. For individual rooms, Air Oasis also makes free standing models: Air Oasis 1000 (up to 1000 sq. ft) and the Air Oasis 3000 (up to 3000 sq. ft).

For unusually invasive cases where there is large visible evidence of mold on the walls, floors or woodwork, I would suggest that you consult a professional mold remediation service. Check your local yellow pages.

Breathe easy…

Dan Buglio