There is nothing worse than feeling bad. Even worse when it lingers for days on end and the symptoms never seem to fade. If this sounds familiar, you may have an allergy to mold. But how can you be sure? Here’s how you can determine the root of the cause and how you can fix the issue if it is indeed an allergy to mold.
Are You Allergic to Mold?
If you are allergic to mold, your immune system will overreact when you inhale mold spores. As a result, you will experience symptoms that mimic a cold, such as:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Nasal congestion or a runny nose
As with any allergy, mold allergy symptoms do not affect all people the same and can present themselves in only one symptom or multiple. In some instances, an allergy to mold can be so severe that they develop sinusitis or asthma. Should the exposure to mold continue for a long period of time, it can lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis as well as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This is why it is important to address a mold issue when it presents itself. Many factors can determine if a person will develop an allergy to mold but for most it usually is the result of over-exposure and genetics.
Mold Allergy vs a Cold
A common cold will come and go, but when allergens are not removed, symptoms of a mold allergy will linger indefinitely. You will also notice that your symptoms of a mold allergy will worsen when the weather is damp or if you are physically closer to the existing mold spores.
Identifying Mold
You might be wondering what exactly mold is– it is a type of fungus that may be black, white, orange, purple, or green. It can be found both inside and out but typically thrives in moist environments, at which point it will reproduce via airborne spores. On some occasions, mold can be harmless and does not lead to any health issues like those mentioned above, however as it grows, long term exposure to mold is sure to make us feel pretty rough. This is why it is so important that as soon as you notice any signs of mold in your home, even if you are not having an allergic reaction to it, it is removed immediately. Fortunately, Paramount Restoration can take care of your mold problem and prevent it from making a comeback down the road.
Where Can You Find Mold?
Mold can grow on nearly all surfaces but it is most often found on areas like your walls, in your insulation, fabrics, and more. It is not unusual to see mold in or on showers, bathtubs, paints, wood, ceiling tiles, and even dust. If you suspect that mold is present in your home, we suggest looking underneath your refrigerator and humidifiers. Other places that we find mold rather frequently include…
- Drywall
- Upholstery
- Attics
- Wallpapers
- Stuffed Toys
- Mattresses
- Crawl Spaces
Eliminating Mold and Minimizing Your Exposure
When we discover a mold problem in a homes, our first step is to get rid of the source of dampness. Typically the best place to begin eliminating such is in the basement or crawl spaces. We also suggest using a dehumidifier or your AC unit with a HEPA filter that we serve the entire house. By using these two devices you can remove the excessive moisture from the air, while also cleaning up mold spores.
The Secret to Avoiding Mold
Keep your entire home, especially your bathrooms, well ventilated to ensure adequate air flow. You should also consider throwing away old newspapers or books and keeping your gutters clean routinely.
In Conclusion
Mold does not always cause people to exhibit signs of a cold. However having a mold infested home is not good for your health especially over time. You might not be allergic to it but maybe your spouse, kids, or pets are– when left untreated mold will grow continuously and multiple until it has taken over the space.
Avoid the risk. We guarantee that our team of professionals will get the job done efficiently and in a timely manner.
Contact us (859-525-2379) for more information or to schedule an appointment
We’re available 24/7 for questions, estimates, and emergency services. Call us day or night to speak to a technician.
–
About Paramount Restoration
Paramount Restoration performs emergency remediation throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for water, storm, fire, mold sewage damage and more seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call us day or night for an estimate – we waive 100% of the estimate fees for all calls between 8 am and 5 pm!