Mold is a member of the fungus family. It is a branching-type of growth called hyphae. It is rarely destroyed by heat or cold exposure, but remains dormant until a particular season, such as spring or fall, when it grows and thrives.
Mold lives in moist conditions where there is oxygen and other chemicals.
Mold spores or fragments may be inhaled through the nose and into the lungs where they cause allergic reactions or asthma. There is no known relationship between allergy to the mold Penicillium and allergy to the antibiotic penicillin, which is made from the mold. Consult your child's physician for more information. Click here to view the Online Resources page of this Web. Copyright 2000 Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.