As the scenic landscapes of southeastern Wisconsin transition into a canvas of red and orange, a less conspicuous visitor, mold, subtly makes its entrance, igniting allergy symptoms for many residents. At the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center, we prioritize your health and comfort through every season, and we are here to support you in managing the often-challenging mold allergies this fall.

The beauty of autumn brings with it the decay of fallen leaves, providing a breeding ground for mold spores. Those susceptible to mold allergies may find themselves affected by sneezing, itchy eyes, and respiratory discomfort.

Deciphering Mold Allergies

Mold spores proliferate in moist environments, such as piles of decaying leaves or agricultural waste typical of the autumn months. When these spores become airborne, they can trigger allergic reactions in individuals with a predisposition to allergies or asthma.

Strategies to Minimize Exposure

Preventive action is crucial in managing mold allergies, and the following strategies can help reduce your exposure:

Pile Up and Pack Away: Ensure to rake and promptly dispose of fallen leaves to prevent mold growth near your home. If you're unable to enlist the help of someone who's not allergic to mold, wearing a KN95 or N95 while raking will decrease the symptoms you suffer with exposure to mold spores - the N95 in particular is effective at filtering out particles as small as mold spores.

Indoor Air Quality: Use a dehumidifier and maintain proper ventilation to inhibit indoor mold growth.

Air Purifiers: Using HEPA air purifiers can assist in capturing mold spores indoors. Equipping your furnace with the thick, accordion-pleated filters with a MERV 13 or MERV 11 filtration rating will help.

Medical Approaches and Solutions

Sometimes allergies can strike despite prevention efforts. In these instances, timely and appropriate medical intervention is essential.

Allergy Testing: Specific mold allergen testing can pave the way for effective management strategies.

Medication: Utilize over-the-counter or prescribed allergy medications like antihistamines or nasal corticosteroid sprays to manage symptoms.

Immunotherapy: For persistent allergies, consult our specialists about the possibility of allergy shots to gradually build resistance.

Your Health Advocate: Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center

At the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center, our commitment goes beyond treatment. We aspire to empower you with the knowledge, resources, and personalized care you need to enjoy a high quality of life, even amid the mold-spore-rich environment of fall.

Schedule your appointment with our expert allergists today to craft a specialized mold allergy management plan. At the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center, we're dedicated to partnering with you on a journey toward a symptom-free season.

A Note about Mold Counting

We have been unable to perform mold counts this season due to changes in staffing. The mold count is a manual process under the microscope that takes approximately 1-4 hours per day depending on the number of spores present to identify and count. We will be working on strategy during the counting off-season with the hope of bringing back mold reporting in 2024!