Mold and mold spores thrive in damp, humid environments and can easily spread throughout your home. Aside from being unsightly, it can also be dangerous to your health if left unaddressed. They can cause serious, adverse health effects like acute poisoning. That’s why you must prevent it in the first place and take steps to get rid of it if it appears.
Read on to learn more about how mold affects your and your family’s health if left unaddressed. This blog post will also provide tips on how to prevent these fungi and make your home mold-free.
How Mold Affects Your Health
While most mold types are harmless, some, like black mold, produce toxins that can affect your health. Also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, this is considered to be the most dangerous mold type because it produces toxins called mycotoxins that can cause serious health issues when inhaled or ingested.
Here’s a look at how mold can affect your health:
1. Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms
When mold grows, it releases tiny spores that can be inhaled into the lungs. This can cause respiratory problems, such as:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Asthma attacks
- Allergic reactions
These early mold exposure symptoms result from your immune system’s response to mold spores, which can trigger inflammation and irritation in the airways. Also, prolonged exposure and untreated mold growth can lead to more severe respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia. That’s why it is important to address any mold growth promptly and take measures to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
2. Allergic Reactions
Mold spores can easily become airborne, and once they are inhaled, they can trigger symptoms, including:
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Stuffy nose
- Skin irritation
These reactions occur because the immune system mistakes the mold spores as harmful invaders and responds with an inflammatory response. Mold allergies can be severe, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions like asthma. The best way to prevent mold allergies is by keeping indoor environments dry and mold-free and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.
3. Neurologic and Neuropsychiatric Signs and Symptoms
As mentioned, mold spores can easily be inhaled when released into the air, resulting in various health problems. One of the most alarming effects of mold exposure is its ability to cause neurological symptoms.
Research has revealed that mold exposure can result in neurologic and neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms. These clinical manifestations are almost similar to the ones of classic neurological disorders, such as:
- Pain
- Delirium
- Dementia
- Movement disorders
- Balance and coordination disorders
Mold exposure can cause neurological and neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms due to the toxins produced by certain types of mold. These toxins, known as mycotoxins, can cause inflammation in various body parts, including the brain. The mycotoxins can affect the brain’s frontal lobe, which controls behavior, decision-making, and personality.
Mold exposure is also linked to depression, anxiety, and other emotional symptoms. In addition, prolonged exposure to mycotoxins can increase the risk of developing more severe neurological conditions. Call for medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms and seek professional mold services for removal.
4. Infections
Certain types of mold, like Aspergillus and Fusarium, can produce mycotoxins that damage tissues and weaken the immune system. This creates the ideal conditions for the mold spores to attack and infect the weakened immune system, leading to fungal infections.
The mold can also produce invasive hyphae, thread-like structures that penetrate tissues, leading to tissue damage and inflammation. The risk of mold infection is higher for individuals with compromised immune systems, like those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressant medications, and people with HIV/AIDS.
The symptoms of mold infection vary depending on the type of mold and can include:
- Respiratory problems
- Fever
- Chills
- Skin infections
- Pneumonia
It’s worth noting that treating mold infections can involve antifungal medications, which your healthcare professional should only administer. Make sure to keep your environment clean and dry, avoid areas where mold grows, and dispose of moldy items appropriately, to prevent mold infection.
Tips on How to Make Your Home Mold-Free
The following are helpful measures you can take to prevent indoor mold growth and eliminate it if present:
- Clean and dry your home quickly. Mold growth is usually the result of moisture and humidity, so you must keep your home clean and dry. Immediately wipe up any spills or water leaks, and keep your house well-ventilated by opening windows or using a dehumidifier. Also, wipe surfaces with safe, homemade solutions like vinegar, lemon, baking soda, etc. to control mold growth.
- Regularly check mold-prone areas. Areas, including the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, basement, and attic, are more susceptible to mold growth because of their damp and humid environments. Regularly check these areas for any visible mold signs like discoloration or a musty odor, and take the necessary steps to clean them up.
- Keep furniture away from the walls. Keep your furniture away from outside walls or windows where there could be moisture buildup.
- Repair any water leaks or damage promptly. If there is any water damage or leaking pipes in your home, repair them immediately. Any standing water can quickly lead to mold growth, which can be hard and expensive to treat later. Regularly inspect the plumbing and appliances around your house for signs of leaks or damage and take action if necessary.
- Increase ventilation in moist areas, including your bathrooms and laundry rooms. Open windows when you can or use fans to increase air circulation and reduce moisture levels. Also, clean out any lint traps, exhaust vents, and dryer filters regularly. Consider installing bathroom and kitchen ventilators to help remove excess moisture from these rooms.
- Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels inside your home. Dehumidifiers are a great way to reduce humidity levels indoors and prevent mold growth. Since moisture is one of the leading causes of mold, doing so can help slow down or stop its spread. These appliances work by absorbing excess water from the air, thus reducing the available moisture for mold to grow in.
- Regularly inspect and clean your air ducts. Air ducts can quickly become a breeding ground for mold if not regularly inspected and cleaned. Ensure to get them checked out by professionals at least once a year, and take the appropriate steps to remove any accumulated dirt or debris from the ducts.
Remove moldy items from the home altogether. If you find mold in your home, remove it immediately. Any items visibly contaminated with mold should be discarded, and any porous materials, such as carpets or furniture, should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before being returned to the home. Call restoration professionals for extensive mold growth for mold remediation.
