How many times have we heard relatives or friends with symptoms of rhinitis or conjunctivitis say that they have “allergy to humidity”. But Can water cause allergies? The answer is no.
What happens to these people is that their body reacts to microscopic organisms present in the environment: fungi or molds. These microorganisms proliferate in a special way in humid environments, and for this reason it is usually known as “allergy to humidity”, when the correct thing would be to talk about allergy to fungi.
There are thousands of families of fungi, as pointed out by the Spanish Society of Clinical Immunology, Allergology and Pediatric Asthma (SEICAP). Among all of them, the alternaria as the main cause of allergic processes.
How do mushrooms cause allergies?
These microscopic environmental organisms generate spores, which float in the air and are breathed in by people. Those who are sensitive to fungus will develop symptoms such as asthma, rhinitis or conjunctivitis.
The environment that most favors the proliferation of these organisms are the warm temperatures and humidityso that they predominate in autumn, also in summer and spring, and there are fewer in winter.
Most likely on windy, rainy or foggy days, significantly increase the number of spores in the environmentwhich will result in a worsening of symptoms for those allergic to these substances.
Where do fungi and molds live?
As SEICAP points out, they can be found anywhere. Within our home they have their ideal “den” in damp, poorly ventilated and poorly lit rooms. Also the inside plants are a good place for the development of these fungi, as well as the toilets or food storage places like the pantry
So it is convenient for allergy sufferers to be attentive to the appearance of moisture stains or food in poor condition.
Before the appearance of asthma, rhinitis or conjunctivitis in times like autumn or spring, or in humid areas, the most convenient is to make a diagnosis through skin testsblood tests, or challenge tests to determine if the fungi are causing a reaction.
How to minimize the effects of allergy to mushrooms?
Outside it is practically impossible because these microscopic organisms circulate in the environment naturally. But the Spanish Society of Clinical Immunology, Allergology and Pediatric Asthma provides some measures to reduce the presence of these invisible elements in our homes.
The first recommendation is that people allergic to fungus avoid, whenever possible, dark rooms. Going over the house and eliminating damp spots, leaks and leaks is another essential point.
The fewer objects in the home, the better. They accumulate dust and complicate cleaning. And it is also important to ‘stay away’ from wallpapers, carpets and rugs where all these types of organisms can be deposited.
Nor is it a good idea to have plants and, of course, you have to avoid the use of humidifiers.
We will keep the fungi at bay with a good cleaning, using bleach in damp areas, such as bathrooms. And since these microscopic organisms tend to disperse with the air, when we remove the dust we will use a damp cloth that drags the particles and we will opt for the vacuum cleaner instead of the broom.