Mold can be hazardous to one’s health in a variety of different ways, not least because it has the potential to trigger allergic reactions. This can mean that having a mold outbreak in your home can lead to further health complications down the line if one is not careful. Many people wonder, “Can mold trigger eczema?” Unfortunately, the answer is yes; in many cases, it can. Knowing the circumstances where these triggers occur and how you can take steps to minimize their impact has the potential to lower your chance of experiencing an eczema outbreak. If you have eczema and are worried about how mold might interact with your condition, take a look at this guide that describes that relationship and shares information on eczema treatment.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that can impact the skin in a variety of different ways. Eczema typically expresses itself as a reaction to various stressors and stimuli, some of which can be highly personal. There are many possible symptoms of eczema, including some of the following:
- Itchiness
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Infection
Eczema is a very common condition that impacts millions of people in America each year. Each individual’s experience with this condition can vary heavily in terms of severity.
Can Mold Trigger Eczema?
Mold is one of the many things that can trigger an eczema flare-up in individuals who are sensitive to it. Oftentimes, eczema flare-ups are an expression of an allergic reaction to mold. In addition, mold exposure can exacerbate and worsen pre-existing eczema flare-ups.
One of the most efficient ways to diminish your chance of experiencing such a thing is by ensuring that your home and work spaces remain free of mold. Eliminating the sources of mold in your surroundings can help to lengthen the amount of time between flare-ups.
Individuals with eczema have a weakened skin barrier, meaning that they are particularly sensitive to environmental stressors like mold. Learning how your own skin reacts to various stressors can be of some advantage when you are trying to manage your eczema.
How Do I Know If I Have a Mold Allergy?
It can be difficult to diagnose a mold allergy. Part of this is due to the fact that many mold allergies exhibit symptoms that are similar to both pet dander and pollen allergies, as well as many other types of common allergies.
Your physician will likely recommend that you run some bloodwork and a skin prick test to identify which exact varieties of mold you might be allergic to. Aggressive molds, such as black mold, can cause adverse symptoms in all individuals and should be removed from any space they are found in. Black mold is a serious issue that can affect even healthy individuals.
Removing Mold
In general, the most effective method for diminishing your chance of having an eczema outbreak from mold exposure is to remove mold where it is present. Some of the steps you can take in this regard include the following:
- Perform an inspection of your home’s plumbing, insulation, and circulation systems to ensure that they are functioning properly.
- Physically wipe away visible mold anywhere it is found in the home or workspace.
- Invest in a dehumidifier to suck excess moisture out of your inhabited spaces.
Cleaning your environment of mold should help your eczema and give you an advantage in managing an active outbreak. You can do some research online to determine which products and resources might be the most appropriate for managing the mold that is present in your environment.
Other Eczema Triggers
There are many other types of eczema triggers besides mold. Learning about some of the common ones can help you determine whether it is mold or something else that is triggering your eczema. Some of the other common eczema triggers include:
- Food allergies
- Emotional stress
- Dry skin
- Air-born irritants
- Sweat
- Extreme temperature switches
- Hormones
- Infections
- Smoking tobacco
You can discuss with your doctor whether it is likely that you are experiencing eczema outbreaks due to any of the above, rather than through mold. Narrowing down what kinds of triggers can create an outbreak in your own body can be very helpful in managing your eczema in general.
Your Friend in Combating Eczema
Ohara Dermatology is one of the most respected dermatological practices in the Beverly Hills area. If you would like to discuss your eczema with a qualified professional, schedule an appointment with our dermatologist today.