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Molds
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Poisoning Toxicology Environmental Health

Molds

Molds are fungi that thrive in damp environments and can lead to various health complications, including allergic reactions and respiratory irritation.

Overview

Molds are fungi that can be found both outdoors and indoors. They grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions. If you have damp or wet spots in your house, you will probably get mold.

Health Effects

Molds can cause health problems. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause the following:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Asthma attacks in sensitive people
  • Fungal infections
  • Irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

Individuals with compromised immune systems—such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or people taking high-dose immunosuppressants—are vulnerable to invasive fungal diseases like aspergillosis. Warning signs include persistent unexplained fever, coughing up blood, chest pain, and severe shortness of breath, all of which require immediate medical attention.
First-line treatments include over-the-counter or prescription nasal corticosteroid sprays, oral antihistamines, and nasal saline irrigations to clear inhaled spores. For mold-triggered asthma, doctors prescribe inhaled corticosteroids and rescue bronchodilators. Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) may also be evaluated for persistent, moderate-to-severe allergic fungal disease.
For surface areas under 10 square feet, wear an N95 respirator mask, non-porous gloves, and unvented safety goggles to prevent spore inhalation and contact. Clean hard surfaces with detergent and water or appropriate commercial cleaners, and avoid mixing bleach with ammonia. Porous materials like drywall or ceiling tiles that have absorbed mold must generally be removed and discarded rather than cleaned.
Mold-related symptoms often worsen indoors in damp, poorly ventilated areas like basements or bathrooms, or immediately after rainfall, whereas pollen allergies peak outdoors on dry, windy days. An allergist can perform skin prick tests or specific IgE blood tests to confirm sensitization to common environmental molds such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, or Aspergillus.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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