Health Risks Associated with Household Mold

In addition to leaving your home marked with unsightly stains, mold can also pose very real health risks to you and your family. While some molds – the kinds that create penicillin, for example – have beneficial antibiotic properties, others can have quite the opposite effect, causing illness and irritating soft tissues. Unfortunately, the molds we find in homes typically fall into the latter category. Today, we’ll look at a few common ailments that can be caused by mold exposure.

Respiratory Issues
Prolonged exposure to that black mold you find in the damp corners of your home can cause a number of problems in your respiratory tract. Among these issues are chronic coughing, sneezing and irritated mucous membranes in your eyes, nose and throat. If you’ve been experiencing ongoing cold-like symptoms and can’t find the cause, it may be due to an undiscovered mold problem.

Allergic Reactions
Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. For those of us who are allergic to mold, the negative effects are often even more pronounced. In addition to the respiratory issues listed above, these people may also suffer from more severe symptoms such as headaches, chronic fatigue and shortness of breath.

Dangers to People with Asthma
Mold exposure is of particular concern to people with asthma. The symptoms of asthma can easily compounded by the respiratory problems associated with mold. If you or a family member has asthma, you should be especially careful to control mold growth in your home.

If left unchecked, exposure to some molds can lead to even more serious health issues such as impaired cognitive function, bleeding in the lungs and digestive problems. Are you concerned that you might be suffering from the symptoms of mold exposure? Give us a call today to receive a free mold remediation estimate for your home.