Mold is a fungus that thrives and grows in damp and poorly ventilated areas of the home such as bathrooms, attics and basements.The mold spores travel through the air and breed in moist or wet areas. Mold can however be found anywhere in the home.

It’s a fungus that millions of people are allergic to, and since it can be just about anywhere, many times it’s hard to avoid it.

It’s usually found in trees, bathrooms, areas around a swimming pool or near any body of water. Mold spoors travel through the air, and can affect the nose and skin of unsuspecting people.

Most indoor moulds are harmless unless allowed to grow excessively. However some such as Stachybotrys have been linked to illness and even to infant deaths.

It is unusual for healthy people to get serious fungal infections from the actual mold spores, but there is a range of mold allergy symptoms that do occur.

The body detects the presence of the mold spores in the lungs, and the immune system creates an allergic response. ABPA, or allergic bronchopulmanary aspergillosis is a common example.

Other people suffer from sinusitus or asthma type symptoms, where the mold grows in mucus plugs that trigger the allergic reaction.

Symptoms usually include: watery eyes, stuffy nose, itchy eyes and hives. Treatment for mold allergies can include anything from medication to avoidance. Many times people want to try an all natural relief from mold allergies.

Excessive mold growth is always in damp areas caused by such things as leaking pipes, broken or cracked roof tiles, or holes in the roof. Poor ventilation also adds to the conditions ideal for mold growth.

Small areas of mold can easily be cleaned up using mold and mildew removers, but large areas should really be treted by professional mold removers.

Normal household mold can be controlled through proper ventilation, removal of damp spots, good and regular cleaning, and sealing of surfaces with perhaps special paints to prevent mold growth.

Open your windows, use extractor fans and repair leaky roofs, cracked tiles and leaking windows.

Scrub down black mold with a copper fungicide, and use paints containing mold inhibitors in wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Indoor plants may assist with filtering air impurities.

Wasp, bat and bird nests can be ideal spots for mold formation, with the spores then drifting down into bedrooms and bathrooms. So be sure to remove all old nests.

You should consult your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of a mold allergy. He’ll be able to prescribe a suitable medication. Popular medications include: Claritin, Zyrtec, Clarinex and Allegra. Be sure to ask about any possible side effects that you may experience while using these drugs.