Is Your Home a Hazard? 5 Mold Health Risks That You Need to Know

Have you noticed mold growing in your house? If so you might not think it’s worth worrying about and best left alone for another day. But there are many mold health risks that you might not have considered. You should be focused on getting rid of the mold as quickly as possible.

Here’s everything you need to know about the different mold in your home risks and what you can do to treat and prevent them.

1. Mold in Your Kitchen

One of the worst places – and one of the most common – for you to find mold in your home is in the kitchen. This is the place where you prepare food and where you probably spend a great deal of time.

If you find mold in your kitchen the particles could find their way into your food and you will no doubt be breathing them in.

Mold is often caused by humidity issues so that could be problematic if you regularly boil water or other substances for your food; you could be creating the perfect environment for mold spores to grow.

2. Mold Caused by Humidity Issues

One of the biggest mold health risks is mold caused by humidity issues in spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. This is generally due to a lack of ventilation and poor foundations that let in a draft.

Mold caused by humidity issues can cause you to feel as if you have a cold all of the time and it can even cause allergies. It can also upset any underlying medical conditions you have. Over a long period, it can have a detrimental impact on your overall health without you realizing it.

• Solving the Issue

Start by installing a fan in your bathroom or kitchen if you don’t already have one. If installing a fan will cost too much then try opening the windows when you run a bath, take a shower, or do some cooking.

Do you live in a county with hot weather for much of the year-round? If so then you probably use an air conditioner. These can upset the humidity levels in the room and can be bad for your health if they are not cleaned regularly. Make sure you get them serviced by an industry professional.

• Structural Problems with Your House

The mold in your house might be caused by a structural issue with your house. To resolve this hire a building contractor or a mold specialist to evaluate what the issue is.

Your foundations might need reinforcement and you may need to have some rooms replastered.

There are also several mold remediation services for different types of mold which you might consider.

3. Black Mold or Toxic Mold: Phycological Conditions

Many people believe that the spores of black mold – also known as toxic mold – can damage your health by entering into your lungs and poisoning you in the same way spores from a deadly fungus can.

Some have claimed to have had nosebleeds, memory loss, and mood swings thanks to the toxic spores that black mold produces.

However, there is no evidence that black mold or toxic mold can leave you with any of these conditions. Yet the fact people feel that they have suffered from these conditions when there’s no evidence to support their claims is in itself concerning. If you worry about your health a lot, black mold or toxic mold can cause psychological trauma.

4. Allergies Increase

Mold can contribute to an increase in irritation of the sinuses. Some people also go on to have increased symptoms of underlying allergies.

This is because mold releases particles that affect the lungs and the respiratory system. Some people are not affected by mold at all while others suffer the effects greatly. There’s some evidence to suggest if you are exposed to mold from a young age it can increase your chances of developing other allergies.

Some symptoms you might experience as a result of prolonged exposure to mold are sore throats, a nose that won’t stop running, and watery eyes. These symptoms will disappear if you deal with the mold early and don’t live with it for years.

5. Dry Cough

Mold can also cause people to develop a dry cough. This is a cough without any mucus or phlegm. This is one of the key risks of having mold in your home.

This symptom can cause a lot of people to worry that they might have contracted something more serious. In the age of COVID-19, there’s an increased paranoia around issues related to the respiratory system.

If you follow the guidelines and don’t leave your house other than when strictly necessary and wear a mask at all times then your cough should be nothing to worry about. Your cough is probably related to the mold in your house.

To avoid this paranoia completely be sure to have an expert remove the mold in your house.

How to Avoid Mold Health Risks? Get Rid of That Mold

There is only one way to avoid mold health risks and that is to have your house inspected by an expert and then have alternations made to ensure that the mold does not come back.

Have fans installed in your bathroom and kitchen and ensure any air conditioners are properly ventilated. If this doesn’t solve the issue consider investing in more expensive structural alterations to your house.

If you are interested in reading more about how to avoid mold health risks then be sure to check out the rest of our site.