Mold and mildew

Very few people with allergies are allergic only to mold: many react to other allergens created by molds.

Molds grown on almost all organic substances – foods, but also books, textiles and wallpaper, if they’re damp enough. Advances in building technology, such as better soundproofing and insulation, have led to increased humidity in many interiors, and thus to an ideal breeding ground for molds. Molds can be spread through a building via the air conditioning system. The concentration of mold spores is generally lower indoors than outdoors.  The highest concentration of mold spores in the air comes in late summer.

The allergens are either released by the molds into the air and end up in household dust, or the mold spores themselves end up in the air, and then are inhaled. Molds live from animal and plant by-products, and live symbiotically with mites.  

Molds and mildews are found especially in:

  • Summer houses closed all winter
  • Damp cellars
  • Poorly ventilated bathrooms
  • Wallpaper on cold, damp walls
  • Window frames with frequent condensation
  • Moist clothing
  • Food products

Download information on allergies

ECARF offers brochures on many different allergies.
Click here to download.

Delicious, allergy-friendly meals

Star cook Leander Roerdink-Veldboom has created allergy-friendly menus for ECARF.
Click here to see the recipes and start cooking!

Ostseebad Baabe: The allergy-friendly community

For the first time ever, a holiday destination is certified as allergy-friendly.
Click here to learn how the beach community Baabe has made vacationing easier for people with allergies.

ECARF - Network

GARD Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Institut für Produktqualität
Global Allergy and Asthma European Network
MeDALL - Mechanisms of the Development of Allergy
Allergic Rhinitis and it's Impact on Asthma
Autoinflammation Reference Center Charité
Autoinflammation Network e.V.
Urticaria Network e.V. Informationsportal für Urtikaria-Betroffene
STERN Ratgeber Allergie

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