5 Health Risks Associated with Household Mold

You don’t have to be able to see mold in your home to have it affect your health. “Mold” is a catch-all term that is actually used to describe a wide range of fungi. The spores released by mold in your home can potentially make you or your loved ones sick, and, in the cases of long-term exposure, have extremely negative effects on people with skin conditions like eczema, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.

Mold can grow anywhere in your home where dampness accumulates, usually under bathroom or kitchen sinks. A leaky roof can also be a culprit that causes mold to develop above your ceiling or in the walls. If you notice a damp, musty smell developing in your house, it’s a good idea to call a certified specialist to test for mold right away.

5 Health Risks from Household Mold

Here are 5 health risks that are commonly associated with household mold:

• Cold- and Flu-Like Symptoms. Mold can cause throat irritation, itchy eyes, a stuffy nose, wheezing and coughing. Some people are allergic to mold and for those folks, the cold- and flu-like symptoms are even worse.
• Skin conditions: mold can often cause skin irritation or rashes, and can also greatly increase the symptoms of eczema.
• Asthma – People with asthma are much more likely to have asthma attacks in the presence of mold spores. Scientists have even found a link between childhood exposure to mold and development of asthma later in life.
• Upper Respiratory Problems – People who are otherwise healthy can suffer from a severe cough and wheezing in reaction to mold.
• Lung Infection – People with compromised immune or respiratory systems can develop a severe lung infection from mold exposure.

Mold Remediation

To remove mold from your home, you will need a specialist to locate the source. Our experts may recommend necessary repairs to ensure that once the mold is dealt with, it doesn’t come back. Contact us immediately if you think you might have a mold problem in your home and schedule an inspection.