Mold growth can be harmful to one’s health, especially if one has allergies. If you are allergic to mold and breathe in mold spores, your immune system will overreact. If you or any member of your family has allergies, the best thing you can do is eliminate the mold problem in your home.Where Does Mold Growth Thrive?
Mold can also appear in a variety of colors depending on the surface it has latched onto, such as black, orange, white, green, or any other color. Certain molds, such as “black mold,” are known to cause serious health problems in both humans and animals.
Mold Symptoms and Signs
Mold symptoms and signs are similar to those associated with upper respiratory allergies. Among the mold allergy symptoms are…
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Headache
- Wheezing
- A runny nose and congestion
- Sore throat
- Skin rash
- Eye irritation
- Lung irritation
- Dry, scaly skin
- Migraines or persistent headaches
- Sinus issues or infections
- Breathing problems
Mold allergies can be mild or severe, depending on one’s health or immune system. It can even cause permanent neurological damage in rare cases. You may also have one or more of these symptoms on a regular basis or after a long period of time. If you experience these symptoms when the weather or your surroundings are damp, you may have mold in your home.
Mold Allergy And Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that can be exacerbated by mold spore exposure. Some people can develop severe asthma attacks as a result of mold exposure. Asthma symptoms commonly include:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
What Causes Allergies Associated With Mold Spores?
Mold poisoning symptoms, like other allergies, occur when your immune system is overly sensitive. Mold spores will be recognized by your body as foreign invaders, prompting the production of allergy-causing antibodies to provide defense by fighting them. Allergy reactions can be immediate or delayed in response to mold exposure.
Allergies are caused by only four mold species: Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium, and Aspergillus.
Types of Mold
Cladosporium
This mold can be black, green, or brown in color. Cladosporium mold thrives in both cool and warm environments. It is commonly found in cooling and heating ducts in air conditioners, carpets, wood, and fabrics.
Alternaria
It is a white mold with black spots that has a fuzzy appearance. It can thrive in your air conditioner, kitchen, bathroom, wallpaper, fabrics, and near windows.
Penicillium
This mold is also fuzzy and can be green, yellow, or white. It is more commonly found in basements, under carpets, and in insulation. When there is water damage, they commonly grow.
Aspergillus
This mold is powdery with dark spots and comes in white, gray, or green. It does not require much ventilation to thrive and can be found in dry foods, fabrics, attics, basements, or walls.
Other Types of Molds
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- Trichoderma
- Aurebasidium
- Stachybotrys chartarum
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors that will make you more prone to getting or worsening symptoms associated with mold allergies. They include:
- Family history of allergic reactions. If your family has asthma or allergy history, it may affect you as well.
- A work environment with mold growth. If you work in a profession where mold is more prevalent, you may get an allergy. Examples of the jobs that are likely to have mold due to their high-humidity levels include greenhouse work, dairy work, farming, winemaking, carpentry, logging, and more.
- Living in a high-humidity area. Any humidity level higher than 50% may cause mold growth. A high concentration of household mold can cause allergy symptoms.
- Living in a home with low or poor ventilation is difficult. Tight door seals and windows can trap indoor moisture and deter proper ventilation, leading to mold growth. Vulnerable areas with damp environments include kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
How to Prevent Household Mold
Below are various ways to get rid of mold.
- Get rid of damp sources. Eliminate groundwater seepage or repair leaking pipes in the basement.
- Use a dehumidifier. Dehumidify areas that have musty or damp odors. Keep your humidity levels at 50%. Also, conduct regular cleaning of your condensation coils and collection buckets.
- Use an air conditioner. Install a central air conditioner that is attached to a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.
- Ensure your bathrooms and kitchens are properly ventilated to avoid mold infestation. Run a ventilation fan in your bathroom during and after a bath or shower to dry excess moisture.
- Recycle or toss old newspapers and books. When left in damp areas such as basements, they can encourage mold growth.
- To Promote Groundwater Drainage. Another effective way to prevent mold growth is to get rid of vegetation and leaves around the foundation areas. The ground should slope away from your home’s foundation. Also, clean your rain gutters more frequently.
- Don’t carpet your basements or even bathrooms.
Why Choose Our Mold Removal Services?
Mold inspection and removal experts in Weston, FL are available from Restore All. Our mold removal services are of high quality, reasonably priced, and dependable.
Our experts will successfully remove mold from all affected areas of your home. You should contact us as soon as you notice any visible mold in your home because there is a good chance that more hidden mold is growing there.
We will ensure that there is no mold present that could cause serious health problems or allergies.
Contact Us (954-338-1111) for a Free Estimate!
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About Restore All
About Restore AllRestore All, LLC is a licensed, insured, full-service Professional restoration company providing Water, Fire and Mold remediation and restoration for residential and commercial property. Our certified Water & Fire damage technicians and licensed Mold assessors & remediators are committed to providing professional restoration and fast and affordable service 24 hours a day. Call us today at (954) 338-1111 to see how we can help.
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