Mould allergy

Mould is an extremely common organism that lives both outdoors and indoors. Mould is a type of fungus that promotes the breakdown of dead matter and the return of nutrients to the environment. Moulds grow near plant and animal cells where metabolism is most intense: near leaves, wood, paper, dirt and rubbish, and food. Moulds reproduce by releasing small, lightweight, airborne spores. Mould grows quickly in damp, dark places such as cellars, rubbish bins, and in clusters of rotting leaves.

Mould often appears on the surface of foods as flecked green spots, such as on bread. However, mould also has twigs and roots. When mould grows, its roots can penetrate deep inside the product where they are not immediately visible.

We all come into contact with mould every day without any health consequences. We may inhale mould spores, or eat foods on which mould has already started to grow. However, people who are allergic to mould can have an allergic reaction when they come into contact with large amounts of the fungus.

What are the symptoms of mould allergy?

Mould allergy symptoms are common to many types of allergies. They include:

• - Dyspnoea
• - runny nose
• - Itchy eyes, lacrimation
• - Rash

If you suffer from a mould allergy, it will probably not be possible to avoid contact with mould completely. However, you can minimise the risk of contact with the allergen by checking food carefully. Before eating food, check it for signs of mould before you eat it. When you're checking to see if a product has spoiled, don't sniff it, as inhaling mould spores can cause an allergic reaction..

Food in which mould is most commonly found:

• - Cheese
• - Mushrooms
• - Vinegar and products containing it, salad dressings, ketchups, marinades
• - Sour cream, sour cream, buttermilk.
• - Meat and fish stored for more than a day
• - Bread and other foods containing yeast
• - Sour crout
• - Pickled and smoked meat and fish
• - Dried fruits - dates, prunes, sultanas
• - Soy sauce
• - Hot dogs, sausages
• - Canned juices.
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In OLYMP CDL branches you can always determine if you have a mould allergy with special allergy tests by doing a blood test.