Molds That Cause Allergies

Allergen Profile: Mold Tests

As the modern world continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly apparent that our indoor environment can have a huge impact on our health. Molds (also know as fungi) are ubiquitous in the environment and can concentrate in homes, offices and public buildings. This test will test for the most common mold that can cause respiratory problems.

This Allergen profile can be used to find a particular mold and can be used to rule in/out mold exposure as a potential causative factor with regard to chronic fatigue, depression, inability to concentrate (brain fog), Fibromyalgia, etc. It is primarily meant to document toxic mold exposure. It is important also to note that molds can destroy B-cells, hence lowering our humoral immunity.

Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria tenuis, Cladosporium herbarum and Penicillium notatum are all molds that are common in buildings and homes and will grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture. In water damaged or "problem" structures, mold levels in indoor air greatly exceed levels outdoors. Inhaled molds as well as molds, fungus and yeasts ingested in foods can colonize the gastrointestinal tract, the sinuses, Eustachian tubes and the oral cavity. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

LabSafe offers an allergy blood test panel that tests for the most commonly problematic molds, called the Allergen and Mold Profile. Specifically, the panel tests for the following molds: Alternaria tenuis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Candida albicans; Cladosporium herbarum; Epicoccum purpurascens; Fusarium moniliforme; Helminthosporium sativum; Hormodendrum hordei; Mucor racemosus; Penicillium notatum; Phoma betae; Pullularia pullulans; and Stemphylium solani.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has recommended that if you test positive for mold you should consult a family or general health care provider who will decide whether you need referral to a specialist. Such specialists might include an allergist who treats patients with mold allergies or an infectious disease physician who treats mold infections. If an infection is in the lungs, a pulmonary physician might be recommended. Patients who have been exposed to molds in their workplace may be referred to an occupational physician.

This Allergen and Mold Profile can be the first step towards having a healthy home environment and lifestyle.

To purchase an Allergen and Mold Profile test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/488/or visit our website at www.LabSafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.