Damp and Dangerous: What Are the Dangers of Mold in Your Home?

Do you worry that you might have mold in your home? You’ve seen the signs. There are brown spots, there’s a faint smell of mildew, and everything is just a bit too damp.

You might have mold problems.

While mold is aesthetically unpleasant and embarrassing, there are several dangers of mold that could lead to more problems. Some types of mold are harmless, but others need immediate attention.

We’re here to talk about mold health issues and more. Keep reading to learn more!

It May Cause Respiratory Illness

Mold is great at triggering respiratory issues, but it may also be able to cause them for people with certain conditions.

Most people won’t experience any type of respiratory illness as a result of mold. If someone in your household has a weakened or sensitive immune system, though, it’s possible.

Infants, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised are more at risk. Mold may cause inflammation in the throat which could open them up to infection.

Even if you don’t get a full-blown respiratory illness, you may find yourself coughing and wheezing if there’s too much mold in your home. This is when it’s time to seek out mold remediation.

It Can Trigger Allergies

While little is known about the direct effect that mold has on the human body, we do know that it’s capable of triggering allergies.

Even people who don’t think that they have allergies can react to mold. Because most people don’t often come into contact with mold, this allergy can lie dormant.

Mold can set off an immune response. You may cough or sneeze as though you had a respiratory infection, but you could also have itchy skin, itchy eyes, or hives.

This isn’t a life-threatening condition, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take care of mold as soon as possible. It reduces the overall air quality in your home and it can spread quickly, meaning that allergic reactions won’t go away while the mold is still in the house.

It Can Trigger Asthma

When someone in your home has asthma, you know how important it is to keep everything clean and dust-free. Have you been preventing mold growth as well?

It’s possible that mold can even cause asthma. Young children who were exposed to mold early on are more likely to develop asthma than other children.

Mold can trigger asthma attacks which, when left untreated, can be fatal. Even if the attack is mild, attacks will continue happening until the trigger (in this case, mold) is gone.

Prevent the Dangers of Mold

If you want to avoid the dangers of mold, you need to keep your home mold-free. Do your best to clean well, fix any leaks, and get rid of any sitting water.

If you do experience mold in your home, contact a professional to remove it. Keep yourself and your household safe.

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