The sniffles and sneezes that go along with allergy season, can certainly get your child feeling less than perfect. Sometimes it's possible to escape triggers, like ragweed, by going in the house.

Mold, though, can be found outdoors... and also has indoor origins. And in that case, there may be little, if any, relief.

The immune systems of generally healthy people can handle most allergens... but mold spores, indoor or outdoors, can create serious health problems for those with compromised immune systems.

Dr. Joe Matusic, Pediatrician
There are people with particular complex medical problems. People with asthma, complex allergy disorders, cystic fibrosis, that when they get exposed to something their immune system doesn't handle it the way it's supposed to.

Their system over-reacts or allows an infection to start. Those people are vulnerable.

Dr. Joe Matusic
You get exposed to a mold spore, and it induces an allergic reaction that then causes respiratory problems. Your mucus thickens, lungs tighten. People with asthma, they spasm and get an attack.

Until then, a child who's allergic to mold that's occurring indoors, won't get better until they or the mold, is removed. Their doctor may also have to prescribe a variety of medicines including, antibiotics and steroids.

Dr. Joe Matusic
In other people, that mold spore releases toxins that cause infections that cause more lung thickening, and they get pneumonia. And sometimes it's actually deadly, they can have a severe over reaction.


Dr. Matusic says there are many allergic triggers in everyone's home- including comforters, pillows, stuffed animals, and poorly maintained heating ducts.
And if you suspect mold in your home, or any other environment is affecting your child's health, he stresses not to panic or overreact.. but advises to investigate and try and get any issues resolved. And above all, talk to your child's doctor if their symptoms persist.

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