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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffYou may be more likely to develop a mold allergy if you have a family history of allergies.
If you are allergic to molds, your symptoms may be worse if you:
- Work in an occupation that exposes you to mold. Occupations where mold exposure may be high include farming, dairy work, logging, baking, millwork, carpentry, greenhouse work, winemaking and furniture repair.
- Live in a house with high humidity. If your indoor humidity is higher than 50 percent, you may have increased exposure to mold in your home. Mold can grow virtually anywhere if the conditions are right — in basements, behind walls in framing, on soap-coated grout and other damp surfaces, in carpet pad and in the carpet itself. Exposure to high levels of household mold may trigger mold allergy symptoms.
- Work or live in a building that's been exposed to excess moisture. Leaky pipes, water seepage during rainstorms, flood damage: At some point, nearly every building has some kind of excessive moisture. This moisture can allow mold to flourish, along with other common allergens, including dust mites and cockroaches.
- Live in a house with poor ventilation. Tight window and door seals may trap moisture indoors and prevent proper ventilation, creating ideal conditions for mold growth. Damp areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements, are most vulnerable.
