Unsightly mold in houseplant soil is the cause of much unhappiness for indoor plant lovers. The answer is yes, and the allergies can be caused either by inhalation or by touching parts of the plant. Unfortunately for you plant lovers, the needs of houseplants can often attract mold as well. The best treatment for mold allergy is avoiding mold exposure and taking steps to reduce or eliminate mold spore growth wherever you can. Although you can treat your mold allergies with homeopathic solutions, there are preventative measures you can take to keep a mold-free home. • Ferns Dust, mold, pets, furniture and houseplants can cause indoor allergies, said Dr. David Corry. The constant moist conditions lend themselves to mold growth. Outdoor molds may cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall (or year-round in some climates) Violets and other plants with textured leaves might be even better trappers. Vacuum regularly to keep dander, mold, and pollen at bay and you can even invest in a good air purifier to maximize results! One of the differences between mold allergies and seasonal allergies like pollen is that you can experience a mold allergy that spans several seasons or lasts all year round. Fortunately, you have a number of options for dealing with the problem. 4. The best method to improve you indoor air quality is to have some of these houseplants around, try to eliminate the source of the pollutants and have an air purifier working to cleanse the air at all times. For example, plants like begonias and ponytail palm can cause frequent mold allergies. If you suffer from mold allergies, most doctors will advise you to avoid certain kinds of food, eliminate fish tanks and aquatic life from the home, use a strong mold-killing agent to clean your bathroom, and give away your houseplants. He's a professor of medicine in the section of immunology, allergy and rheumatology … He's a professor of medicine in the section of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. How to Prevent Mold Allergies. Mold can also grow on other damp spaces like hidden corners of your home. Houseplants also present the perfect environment for mold. For other tips and solutions for indoor allergies, check out the article “How to Get Rid of Allergens in Every Room of Your Home” here. The soil that house plants grow in often have mold spores growing on the surface. As an aside, while the terms mold and mildew are used interchangeably, there is a notable difference between the two. Allergens are everywhere in the world around us. Warm, moist spaces. As long as you take care to prevent soil mold growth and avoid the small fraction of houseplants known to cause a reaction in those with allergies, you should have no trouble adding new plant life to your home. The study describes a number of indoor plants that are excellent at absorbing harmful agents like mold spores and toxins like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene. This mold will linger in the foliage of your indoor plants as well as its soil. Place the plants in … 7 Best Indoor Plants for Asthma. And what does mold love? This is why it's important to monitor your reaction in certain places to make sure that mold and mildew is the cause of your allergy. Common low-light houseplants like Chinese evergreen or the peace lily can do the job. Houseplants have quickly become one of the best on-trend ways to add color and life to your home. Hypoallergenic Houseplants: Best & Worst Plants for Allergies If you suffer from allergies, getting a houseplant for your home may be the last thing on your mind. Your living environment may contain a variety of animal and plant life, most of which can become a source for allergens, the triggers of allergic reactions. Avoid contact. But indoor allergies could also take the joy out of your holiday season, an expert says. About 75% of Americans who have plant allergies are sensitive to ragweed, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Can houseplants trigger allergies or asthma? Mold allergies are similar to pollen and dust allergies. Can houseplants cause allergies? Soils can promote mold buildup. Dust, mold, pets, furniture and houseplants can cause indoor allergies, said Dr. David Corry. Track the Numbers. Sooty mold may be dark green or black in color. Houseplant Allergic Reaction. Some exacerbate allergies, while there are also many that can help alleviate them. If a person has asthma or chronic lung disease, they may be at an even greater risk. So, if you suffer from allergies, add one (or two, or three, or fifty) of these amazing houseplants to your home! But indoor allergies could also take the joy out of your holiday season, an expert says. Help with allergies According to WebMD, rooms with houseplants tend to have less dust and mold … Keep away from areas known to harbor mold spores. So, if you are looking to add some greenery indoors, but suffer from allergies or asthma, make sure you limit or avoid these houseplants. Flowers are fertilized by insects, so they -- and most leafy houseplants -- don't release pollen into the air that will trigger your allergies. 10 Ways to Reduce Mold Allergies. Mold Allergies and House Plants. The symptoms of mold allergy are very similar to the symptoms of other allergies, such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion and dry, scaling skin. That said, houseplants can cause allergies related to mold needs to be watered a lot. Unfortunately, none of the houseplants on this list can do anything to remove those airborne toxins. Planter Power. Let’s not forget that mold is a significant contributor to allergies for a lot of people. However, like any other plant, they can also make your allergies worse if not properly cared for. Indoor plants, in general, are great additions, but some are better at air purification than others. Being able to identify the worst house plants for your allergies will help you feel and breathe better. Pollen allergies are typically a response to airborne particles that grasses, trees and weeds release into the wind to fertilize other plants. In fact, some are quite effective at purifying the air, but that’s not always the case. Mild symptoms would include rashes, stuffiness, or itching. Take note of the places you were when the allergy appeared and check for mold and mildew in these spaces. Stop Mold in Its Tracks with RestoPros. Mold can also be gray, which is due to the necrotrophic fungus known as botrytis cinerea. Soil is custom-built, for the sake of the plant’s health, to retain some level of heat (to keep the plant roots at … If you're allergic to mold, you may feel like you’re fighting a losing battle. Houseplants can be used to improve indoor spaces, and they also provide various health benefits. Mold thrives in so many places, indoors and out. More sever symptoms would include fever, or tightness in the chest. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information. 1 / 10. Avoid plants with pollen or spores. It can also trigger respiratory issues for people with mold allergies. 4 thoughts on “ Houseplants and Mold ” jerry January 3, 2006 / 2:09 pm One often overlooked cause of nasal problems is glade and other bathroom fresheners”. If you are allergic to houseplants, it could be caused by inhaling airborne allergens, such as pollen, from any houseplant. #houseplants #allergies #mold #moldtoxicity #plants #environmentaltoxins #headaches #migraines #brainfog #digestivesymptoms. This usually occurs when the relative humidity in the house increases. The gray mold spores get into the plant’s tissue and make it collapse, so gray mold is very deadly to your houseplants. People with allergies to mold may experience allergy symptoms without knowing what the cause of the symptoms is. Thankfully, there is no real need to fear, as mold in indoor plant soil is usually harmless and you can get rid of it with a few easy and highly-effective methods. Dust your houseplants regularly with mild soap and water, this allows them to remove toxins more efficiently. The symptoms of mold allergies can range from mild to sever. Houseplants are hugely beneficial to the in a number of ways, but not all plants are created equal. In extreme cases, mold may even create an infection in the lungs. Yes, some indoor plants can make it very difficult to breathe, especially if you are allergic to mold or pollen. With our knowledgeable mold removal experts, the team at RestoPros is dedicated to helping residents of the DFW area fight back against mold. If this happens at least five times in the same place, you most probably have a mold allergy. Allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. Dust, mold, pets, furniture and houseplants can cause indoor allergies, said Dr. David Corry. It seems like the benefits of having a houseplant are endless — some have been known to regulate temperature in your home, keep your home's humidity in check, and certain houseplants can even help clean harmful chemicals from your air. Here are some suggestions. 4 of 4. If your symptoms are triggered by dampness, mold, or fungi, you may need to pay careful attention to the soil moisture in your plant pots. If you think that you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Scientifically, mildew refers to the type of fungus that grows on plants such as powdery mildew that may grow on plants in your vegetable garden. For starters, you can invest in plants that double as air purifiers, such as the Peace Lily. In addition, the damp, dark soil and organic matter present around houseplants is exactly the type of place mold spores love to grow in. Growing houseplants to relieve allergy Houseplants, aside from cleaning the air, do not produce excess pollen that can trigger your allergies. Examples of common allergens are pollen, foods, and mold.. Plant lovers, the team at RestoPros is dedicated to helping residents of the best on-trend to. 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