A mold rash is an allergic skin condition caused bymold exposure.
It is common in people who are sensitive or allergic to mold.
Mold rashes can be hard to identify because they do not have unique features.
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This can help you get the treatment you need and relieve symptoms.
This article describes mold rash symptoms, causes, testing, and treatments.
It also explains ways to reduce your risk of getting a mold rash.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
The spores can grow on almost any surface in a damp or moist environment, either inside or outside.
Reactions to mold depend on the degree to which you are sensitive to or allergic to mold.
Like other allergies, this sensitivity varies widely by individual.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022.
Some people may not react to mold at all.
Symptoms can also be immediate or delayed, with minor symptoms that worsen over time.
Like any allergic reaction, a mold rash is triggered by an overly sensitiveimmune system.
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Inhaling or touching mold spores can cause an allergic reaction.
The production of IgE triggers the release of the compound histamine.
Histamine opens blood vessels, constricts airways, and creates mucus to protect your body from the allergen.
These inflammatory responses result in allergy symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and/or a mold rash.
Molds are found in almost every environment year-round.
They thrive in shady, damp areas.
Outdoor sites include places where leaves and other vegetation are decomposing.
Indoors, mold can exist under sinks, in bathrooms and basements, and around leaky areas.
Mold can also thrive in building materials like paper and wood products.
They also grow in dust, carpets, and upholstery.
Diagnosing a Mold Rash
Diagnosing a mold rash involves determining whether you have a mold allergy.
A Complete Medical History and Physical Exam
Like other allergies, mold allergies can run in families.
Taking a complete medical history can reveal whether you have a higher risk of being allergic to mold.
Many rashes have similar characteristics.
Blood Tests
Allergy blood testsuse a sample of your blood to diagnose allergies.
The tests measure levels of IgE antibodies, which your immune system releases in response to an allergen.
Skin Prick Test
A skin prick test is the most accurate way to diagnose an allergy.
It can check for many types of allergies simultaneously and provides results in about 20 minutes.
The test involves placing droplets of mold allergens onto the surface of your skin with tiny punctures.
Other treatments depend on the location and severity of your rash.
It works by activating natural substances in your skin to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching.
Nasalcorticosteroids: Nasal corticosteroid sprays reduce swelling and mucus in your nasal passages.
Antibiotics: A mold rash can become infected from scratching.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe an oral antibiotic if your rash shows signs of an infection from persistent scratching.
Moisturizers: OTC moisturizers may help soothe dry, cracked, and itchy skin.
It can take up to five years of treatment to build long-term resistance.
However, lasting relief and a reduction in allergy symptoms are possible with immunotherapy even after treatment ends.
This throw in of therapy can also help you maintain lung function.
The risks of mold exposure include a variety of health complications, which can vary by individual.
Reactions can occur immediately or as delayed symptoms that worsen over time.
Symptoms that worsen in a damp, humid, or moldy environment can indicate a mold allergy.
Exposure to mycotoxins can increase your risk of more serious illness from mold exposure.
Summary
A mold rash takes place if your immune system regards mold as an allergen.
The release of antibodies triggers allergy symptoms that can include coughing, wheezing, and a skin rash.
A mold rash and other symptoms of a mold allergy are similar to many other health issues.
Knowing whether your skin rash is resulting from mold requires a medical diagnosis.
Avoiding mold can be hard since it exists outside and inside all year round.
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