If you find that nasal allergies still bother you even after winter has already gone, you may have a mold allergy on your hands. Mold is, unfortunately, everywhere: it’s found in the leaves outdoors, it’s the prime reason for rotting wood and it can grow indoors, in the corners of damp basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. The likelihood of mold allergies becoming a year-round occurrence is quite real.

Allergies and Mold

Molds are microorganisms that are usually found in dark, damp, and humid areas. Places such as your basements, attics, and crawl spaces are the perfect breeding grounds, especially if they have been ignored for long periods of time. A small patch of mold might not be so much of a threat, but if left untreated and given the opportunity to spread and grow, it can heavily affect one’s health – with sensitive individuals being the most vulnerable.

When molds “reproduce,” they diffuse their spores into the air. The spores attach themselves onto nearby surfaces to start the cycle once more, but those that are airborne can find themselves moving into the lungs of unsuspecting victims. If a person is exposed for too long to these toxins, they could experience the following symptoms, which can lead to flaring or uncontrollable allergies, respiratory problems and in extreme cases, even lung cancer.

• A runny or stuffy nose
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
• Coughing and sneezing
• Shortness of breath
• The tightening of the chest