What Would Mold Do To You?

Mold is a type of fungi that grows in damp and humid conditions. It can cause various health issues including allergies, asthma, skin rashes, respiratory conditions, and even cancer if left unchecked. However, it’s important to know what mold does to you so you can take the necessary steps to prevent any serious health problems from developing. What will mold do to your health? So, what would mold do to you?

What Would Mold Do To You?

Allergies

When exposed to mold spores, your body’s immune system will react by producing histamine which causes an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include irritation of the eyes and nose, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. In some cases, people may also experience skin rashes or hives as well as difficulty breathing or a feeling of tightness in their chest.

Asthma

Mold spores are often small enough to be breathed in by individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions. This can cause inflammation inside your lungs, leading to coughing fits and difficulty breathing. If you already suffer from asthma or are predisposed to it, then exposure to mold could be particularly dangerous for you because it could trigger an asthma attack even if your doctor has deemed you not at risk of one. The development of asthma can be scary, so try to make sure you are not exposed to mold for any length of time.

Skin Rashes & Other Skin Conditions

In some cases, people may develop skin rashes due to exposure to mold spores. This can range from mild redness and itchiness on the surface of the skin all the way up to more severe forms such as dermatitis herpetiformis which is an autoimmune disorder causing blistering of the skin. Other types of skin conditions such as athlete’s foot have also been linked to mold growth in damp environments such as showers and bathrooms.

Respiratory Conditions & Cancer

Long-term exposure to high levels of airborne mold spores has been linked with the development of certain respiratory illnesses such as chronic sinusitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Prolonged exposure has also been linked with an increased risk for several types of cancer including lymphomas and sarcomas (soft tissue cancers).

It’s important that individuals who believe they have been exposed take appropriate measures. Such as removing any source material (e.g., carpeting or wallpaper) that could be causing dampness inside their home or place of work before considering any medical intervention. If caught early enough these steps may help prevent more severe health problems from developing down the line.

Toxic Mold

I quote, FPRestoration, “Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots. If you find mold with any of these qualities in your home, don’t get too close, and call a professional right away.”

Mark and I went to Sanibel Island, Florida, and stayed in a rented home several years ago. The minute we walked in it smelled musty, and I mean a stinky musty smell. After staying a week there our clothes smelled musty even after washing them 7-8 times. We ended up having to throw out our luggage, trust me we tried everything to get the smell out, but we couldn’t. As I think back on that trip I know it was mold, you never get that smell out of your head.

Other Health Problems Mold Can Cause: What Would Mold Do to You?

• Respiratory problems
• Respiratory infections
• Nasal congestion
• Allergy symptoms
• Watery eyes and itchy eyes
• Severe reactions
• Chest tightness
• Mold poisoning
• Sore throat

How to Prevent Mold From Causing Issues

Mold is a common problem in many homes, often causing issues like property damage, health problems, and unpleasant odors. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent mold from becoming an issue in your home.

Keep It Dry

The easiest way to prevent mold growth is to keep the interior of your home as dry as possible. This means monitoring areas that have the potential for standing water or high humidity levels. Including bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and laundry rooms. Make sure these areas are well-ventilated and that any leaks are quickly repaired. Similarly, if any items get wet due to flooding or other accidents, be sure to dry them off immediately and use a dehumidifier if necessary. Indoor environments have to be kept dry so that different types of mold don’t grow. Outdoor environments can also grow mold, but the rules for keeping the presence of mold are a little different.

Indoor spaces:

• Improve ventilation and air circulation by regularly opening windows and using fans.
• Keep humidity levels low by using dehumidifiers or air conditioners.
• Rinse bathrooms with vinegar and baking soda weekly to keep the surfaces free of mold spores.
• Check and clean around any leaking pipes that can lead to high moisture levels in certain areas of the home.
• Regularly inspect crawlspaces, attics, basements, and other areas prone to higher levels of dampness or moisture build-up.
• Repair any water damage within 24-48 hours as this can prevent long-term mold growths in the home leading to potential health concerns for those living inside.
• Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering to help reduce humidity levels indoors as well as limit steam from entering other parts of the home which could contain mold spores from outside sources such as dirt and vegetation collected on shoes or clothing worn outdoors.

Outdoor spaces:

• Mow the lawn regularly and remove any dead vegetation to minimize damp surfaces that can attract spores from the environment.
• Clean gutters often of leaves, twigs, and other debris that can create standing water where mold can grow.
• Ensure your trees and shrubs are trimmed correctly because overgrown branches may trap more moisture which creates an ideal environment for mold growth.
• Repair and keep an eye out for any leaks in drains, sprinklers, or faucets as these can lead to damp soil which is a great place for spores to take root in-leading to larger colonies of mold over time outdoors.
• Plant ground covers such as rocks or stones around areas prone to moisture build-up like patios or decks. Do this to help reduce the pooling of water on those surfaces where mushrooms, mildew, and other types of mold could form.

Control Humidity Levels

Humidity is one of the main factors that contribute to mold growth, so it’s important to make sure humidity levels stay below 70%. You can purchase an inexpensive hygrometer from most hardware stores in order to monitor indoor humidity levels. If necessary, you can use a dehumidifier or independent air conditioner units (like those found in windowless rooms) to reduce humidity inside your home. Open windows on nice days and consider running a fan when taking showers or washing dishes in order to reduce moisture in the air.

Clean Regularly

Another important prevention measure is regular cleaning of surfaces that regularly come into contact with moisture (such as bathrooms and kitchens). Cleaning with anti-bacterial solutions can help keep fungus away while also providing extra protection against germs and viruses. In addition, vacuuming regularly will help remove dust and other particles that mold spores can feed on. You might not catch a mold problem right away, but when you clean on a regular basis, that is the best way to catch any mold problem that might become a health risk.

Check Before Moving In

If you’re in the process of moving into a new house or apartment, it’s important to check for signs of existing mold before signing any rental agreement or lease agreement. Some states may require landlords to provide information about any prior mold tests done at the property before signing the lease (or even offer free testing services upon request).

Making sure the property is free of significant amounts of visible mold before agreeing to live there will save you time and energy down the road should issues arise after move-in day. No matter the type of mold, always have someone check your home BEFORE you’re moving in. Don’t wait for allergic reactions to happen to you before you get moldy areas tested.

More Tips

• 3 Ways to Prevent Flooding
• Creative Water Storage Solutions for Emergencies 
• How To Clean Your House And Stay Healthy

Final Word

if you think you might already have an infestation of mold, either due to visual sightings or persistent musty odor, seek professional help right away rather than trying DIY remedies which could lead to further damage if done incorrectly. With these tips for preventing and managing mold-related issues in mind, you’ll be able to keep your home safe and healthy for years to come! If you’re dealing with toxic mold, no matter the amount of mold, you should talk to someone that can help ASAP! May God Bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Moist Mold and Fungus AdobeStock_312809742 By IHX, Mold in the Corner AdobeStock_187525939 By andrei310, Mold in the Corner of the Plastic Windows AdobeStock_404612207 By andrei310