How to Help Manage Mold Allergies in Your Home

How to Help Reduce Mold-Allergy Symptoms

You can lessen your allergies with medication, cleaning up mold and preventing it at the source.

Take allergy medication.

• Keep medicine on hand. Antihistamine products like Claritin^® and antihistamine plus decongestant products like Claritin-D^® can be used for both, indoor and outdoor, allergies. Claritin^® provides relief of symptoms triggered by over 200 indoor and outdoor allergens like those from pollen , animals, mold and dust. Claritin is an antihistamine , so it hinders the cascade triggered by allergens

Maintain low moisture.

•  Eliminate sources of dampness. Check your basement for pipe leaks or groundwater seepage and fix any issues or call a plumber for help. Reattach disconnected dryer vents. 
• Use a dehumidifier. If any area of your home smells musty or damp, you’ll want to bring the moisture level down. Keeping humidity levels below 50% in your home discourages mold growth.
• Don't carpet bathrooms and basements. Mold likes the cool, damp atmosphere in these rooms, so avoid providing a place for mold to inhabit by skipping out on carpet.

Air it out.

• Use an air conditioner. Central air conditioning units with a high-efficiency particulate air ( HEPA ) filter can trap mold spores and prevent them from circulating in your home.
• Ventilate. Ensure your bathrooms and kitchens are properly ventilated. Use a bathroom ventilation fan during and after your shower. The exhaust fan over your stove will help remove steam from cooking.

Keep your space clean and decluttered.

• Get rid of old books, papers and clothes. If left in damp places, such as basements, they can quickly become moldy.
• Act fast.Quick action pays off. If a leak or spill leaves the rug wet, dry it within 48 hours to keep mold from growing.

Be observant.

• Check your landscape .Promote groundwater drainage away from your house by removing leaves and vegetation from around the foundation and cleaning out rain gutters frequently.
• Clean your appliances. Discard spoiled food in your fridge promptly to minimize mold growth. Clean around the seals on your washer and don’t leave wet clothes in it.
• Inspect the places you rarely go Regularly clean out closets and inspect attics, crawl spaces and junk rooms. A leak can go undetected for a long time in rooms you rarely use.