I recently received a letter from a full-time nurse who has been suffering terribly from seasonal allergies. As soon as the pollen starts to fly, she is in misery. She tries to avoid sneezing and coughing over her patients, but over-the-counter medications don’t seem to help and also make her drowsy. Can you relate to this?

If you live in any hot, humid place, the key to your problem can be your exposure to environmental molds. Mold exposures can compromise the immune system making the body more reactive to seasonal allergies, notably pollens.

Molds can accumulate in feather pillows and damp bedding. Molds are also found in the soil of houseplants. For people with breathing problems, it is wise to remove the plants from the bedroom. When these plants are watered, the molds can rise into the air and contaminate the space where the person is sleeping. There are many well-known effects from exposures to molds including breathing problems; puffy eyes and facial tissue; runny nose; postnasal drip; headaches; anxiety; and depression to name a few.

People who live in moldy climates and who are frequently exposed to molds due to rainy weather or dampness are especially affected. During the summer, when the weather is dry, their symptoms often improve.

So it is given that molds trigger immune reactions. Once the immune system is on “red alert,” it will react to other things as well: pollen, dust, rag weed and common foods notably dairy products. During this season of the year, I suggest that you take a break from milk-based products. These can be very mucous forming. Dairy can be re-introduced in dry weather.

I remember several years ago, I visited a farming community. Many of the people there were severely affected by molds. All too often these people had moldy, damp basements in which they had created children’s playrooms, computer rooms, sewing rooms and laundry rooms. In that community I was stunned by the number of people who had environmental illness because of their exposure to molds. I have seen people’s personalities change, where they can become violent, anxious, or very sad, just because of exposures to molds. In fact, a woman in that community finally got relief from her severe migraine headaches when she moved out of her moldy home.

Investigate the possibilities of molds in your home. Clean up and dry out your basement. If your basement is slightly moldy, purchase a dehumidifier, which will help to remove the moisture in the air. Never allow a child to sleep, (or yourself to work) in such a place. Go into these places with the nose of a bloodhound and use your instincts to correct problems. If you suspect that your home is moldy and you have a child or family member who suffers from anxiety or depression, there may be a connection.

If you currently live in a moldy place, limit your intake of mold through your food. Avoid eating mushrooms, vinegar, pickles, soy sauce, aged cheeses, wine and beer—which are all fermented items—until your mold sensitivities subside. After you have avoided these items for approximately 30 days, reintroduce these items and watch for symptoms. Is your nose runny? Do you feel the onset of a mild headache? During this whole process in which you are developing your intuition, use your own body as a laboratory to see the effects of the environment on your system.