Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentRisksPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Risks
Prevention
Mold rashes can be hard to identify because they do not have unique features. Anallergistor other healthcare provider can help you find the cause of a rash and whether it is linked to mold. 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.
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Symptoms of a Mold Rash
Mold produces microscopic seeds called spores that float through the air. The spores can grow on almost any surface in a damp or moist environment, either inside or outside. As a result, you are likely exposed to mold daily when inhaling spores or touching surfaces where they land or grow.
A mold rash, like other rashes related to allergies, can appear as any of the following types of skin rashes:
Atopic dermatitis:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Contact dermatitis:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022.
Hives (urticaria):
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoUrticaria on legs.DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Other Symptoms of Mold Exposure
People who are sensitive to mold spores or have mold allergies typically develop symptoms ofrhinitis(hay fever) that can include:
How to Manage Mold Allergy Symptoms Year-Round
What Causes a Mold Rash?
Inhaling or touching mold spores can cause an allergic reaction. When your immune system recognizes that you have come in contact with mold, which it identifies as harmful, it makes anantibodycalledimmunoglobulinE (IgE).
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. Since symptoms of a mold allergy are similar to many other conditions, diagnosing a mold allergy requires a visit to a healthcare provider such as an allergist or immunologist.
Your healthcare provider will likely use one or more of the following evaluations to determine 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. A physical exam may reveal symptoms that indicate whether your rash may be linked to mold or another medical condition.
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.
One drawback of this procedure is that results can take days since the process involves sending a sample to an offsite laboratory.
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. If more than one allergen is being tested, they will be placed at different spots to observe separate reactions.
If you are allergic to any allergens, a small red bump, about the size of a mosquito bite, will develop at the puncture site within 15 to 20 minutes.
How Do You Know If You Have Allergies?
How to Treat a Mold Rash
The first step in treating a mold rash is to remove yourself from the source of the mold and avoid further contact with it if the source can be identified.
Other treatments depend on the location and severity of your rash. Your healthcare provider can advise the most appropriate treatments based on your symptoms:
Medications
The following medications for nasal and other allergic symptoms may be used:
Nasalcorticosteroids: Nasal corticosteroid sprays reduce swelling and mucus in your nasal passages. They can relieve sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, and other allergy symptoms that may accompany a mold rash.
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. Hypoallergenic and anti-itch moisturizers with the following ingredients can help relieve rashes:
Immunotherapy:
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.
Research indicates that immunotherapy with mold extracts can reduce asthma symptoms and the need for medication in people who have allergic asthma. This type of therapy can also help you maintain lung function.
Home remedies
The following home remedies can help relieve topical symptoms of itchiness, inflammation, and discomfort:
What Are the Risks of Mold Exposure?
If you are sensitive or allergic to mold, exposure puts you at a higher risk of the following reactions that are similar to other respiratory allergies:
You have a higher risk for health problems linked to mold exposure if you have any of the following conditions:
Your reaction to mold exposure may be more intense if you are allergic to molds, have asthma, or are exposed to large amounts of mold, such as working in settings with high mold levels. Severe reactions to mold exposure can include:
Under certain conditions, some types of mold can produce secondary toxins called mycotoxins. Exposure to mycotoxins can increase your risk of more serious illness from mold exposure.
How to Prevent a Mold Rash
Preventing a mold rash can be challenging since mold is virtually everywhere and its microscopic spores can be impossible to see. However, you can take precautions to reduce your potential contact with mold and your chances of having an allergic reaction or other ill effects.
Summary
A mold rash occurs when your immune system regards mold as an allergen. The release of antibodies triggers allergy symptoms that can include coughing, wheezing, and a skin rash.
Avoiding mold can be hard since it exists outside and inside all year round. Taking steps to reduce mold in and around your house can help you avoid a mold rash if you are allergic.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Penn Medicine.Mold allergies treatment.
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