Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

Asthma, Allergies, and Mold

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

Many of us suffer from allergies. At least once a year when the seasons change and pollen is in the air, we may experience the requisite sneezing, stuffiness, and watery eyes. These symptoms may also appear as the result of simply being allergic to a specific material, food, or other substance.

Many people also suffer from asthma, a common yet easily treatable condition directly affecting the breathing ability of those afflicted by it. Asthma can be triggered by any number of things –dust, tobacco smoke, pets, or outdoor pollution.

The presence of mold in a home or business may trigger medical problems similar to those of allergic or asthmatic symptoms. Mold is a normal part of the outdoor environment, but can be dangerous to your health if allowed to grow unchecked in confined indoor spaces such as basements or crawlspaces.

How Mold Affects Allergy Sufferers

Mold reproduces by way of spores, which float through the air until they find a spot with sufficient moisture to allow growth. In nature, the spores break up into smaller and smaller concentrations until their threat to humans is negligible. Encountered in large concentrations over a prolonged period of time, they may cause allergic type reactions such as watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, or skin rashes.

If you already suffer from allergies, then you may find those allergies aggravated by the presence of mold in the home. Mold can cause the symptoms to persist long after the allergy season has passed.

How Mold Affects Asthmatics

Asthmatics may be particularly susceptible to mold effects due to the fact that it is ingested through the airways and nasal passages. Mold is commonly known to be able to set off asthma attacks and seriously affect the health of anyone with asthma living in the residence.

A recent study found that children with asthma living in mold infested homes demonstrated more severe long-term respiratory issues than children with asthma living in mold-free homes. The link between mold and allergy/asthma problems could not be more obvious.

The various health issues related to mold are one of the prime reasons that any and all mold growths should be taken seriously, properly remediated, and the affected area treated in order to prevent the mold from returning.

What You Can Do

Remember that it is never enough to just remove the mold, or even to kill it. Unless the affected area is properly treated by decreasing the level of relative moisture, increasing ventilation, and bringing humidity levels down to below 45%, the mold is almost sure to return.

Your local water damage restoration professionals will offer mold remediation as one of their many services. With same-day service available, they can have a qualified mold technician in your home within a couple of hours, assessing your mold problem and beginning the removal and remediation process.

Recommended Reading
Sick Building Syndrome
Types of Mold and Their Effects