Warm, humid summers and cold, damp winters often bring the likes of mold into your home. Mold is robust and can take over all of your belongings. This fungus can find its way into your wardrobe, shoes, CDs, toys, books, and even your kitchen.
Since mold can create several health issues, it is essential to prevent its growth. The good news is that you can get rid of mold on your own by following a few easy tips for mold remediation.
What Are The Mold Allergy Symptoms? DIY Mold Inspection
We already know that black mold is toxic because it releases mycotoxins. Research suggests that mycotoxins from S. Chartarum can pose serious health hazards to people living in contaminated spaces.
One of the health conditions is mycotoxicosis, also known as mold poisoning. In addition, other symptoms thought to be linked with mold exposure are nose bleeding, headaches, memory loss, body aches, and mood swings. The validity of these health conditions, however, needs to be confirmed by further research.
As per the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences following are some common black mold symptoms.
- Allergic Reactions
Individuals with existing allergies are more prone to catching mold allergies as well. When exposed to mold, they can encounter symptoms including watery eyes, sore throat, dry cough, wheezing, blocked or runny nose, and skin rashes. Additionally, some people may suffer from more serious health conditions like hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This health issue can lead to shortness of breath, tiredness, constant weight loss, and chronic cough.
Mold exposure can also aggravate asthma or lung problems in existing patients. Moreover, studies show that mold exposure in infants and children up to 7 years old increases the risk of asthma.
- Infections
If you have strong immunity, your body can easily fight off mold infections. However, people with a weak immune system are extremely vulnerable to mold infections, such as those suffering from chronic health conditions.
- Toxic Effects
The misconception that only black mold is harmful because it releases mycotoxins is incorrect, as many other molds also produce the same compound. Similarly, not all molds are toxic and don’t release toxic compounds. It is also worth noting that molds only produce toxins in the right temperature and conditions.
It’s unlikely that you will immediately ingest mold spores upon contact. Alternatively, an individual can also suffer from mold poisoning by consuming moldy food and not inhaling fungal spores from the air. Furthermore, there is little research to support that inhaling or touching fungal spores can lead to mycotoxicosis.
How To Perform Mold Removal? Get Rid Of Your Mold Problem Today
Getting rid of mold and mold spores is extremely difficult, and some spores stay in the air and water even after a deep cleaning. The most favorable condition for mold is moisture. You can keep the spread of indoor mold in check by controlling the moisture inside your home or office.
A dehumidifier generally does the trick and rids you of excess moisture in the household. However, if your home has a severe infestation, you may require professional mold remediation.
Mold Cleanup
Whenever you’re trying to clean up a mold infestation, keep the following tips in mind.
- Ensure that you’re wearing protective clothing like gloves and a face mask during the cleanup process.
- Adjust water leakage as soon as possible. Dry out all items and spaces.
- Scratch out mold buildup from hard surfaces using detergent and water. Dry everything.
- Discard all porous items like carpet or ceiling tiles as you can’t restore them.
- Avoid painting over moldy surfaces. Make sure to scrub off the mold before doing so. Otherwise, the paint will not stick.
Top 3 Steps to Avoid Mold & Toxins
You can take the following steps to avoid mold growth in your home.
- Keep a Check on the HVAC System
The HVAC system acts like the lungs of your house in how it filters out the air. However, the ventilation process may also promote the spread of mold spores. As soon as your system switches from cold to warm air, your home duct or the unit itself can become the perfect mold habitat.
If a single spore lands on a moist area, it can give birth to a colony. Consequently, the colony will continue to flourish as long as there’s moisture and the temperature is right.
You can avoid this problem through regular inspections of your HVAC system. Moreover, you can also call a professional for routine checkups and servicing. Maintaining the HVAC system by timely changing filters and servicing the unit is also a good idea.
- Inspect for Moisture
Moisture is the primary growth medium of a mold colony. Moreover, the presence of organic matter in the same space further accelerates mold growth. A spore can transform into a mold colony in a matter of 24-48 hours. This mold colony will start working as a spore factory and contaminate your entire house.
If you can prevent moisture, you can also prevent mold growth. Fix water-damaged walls and floors on a priority basis. Also, get rid of any puddles or pools in and around your house. Use dehumidifiers for rooms in very humid environments.
- Make a Routine Cleaning Strategy
Dust particles and mold spores often share the same space. Dust buildup means increased amassing of other particles as well. A regular dust cleaning routine can also help you keep your house clear of mold.
Mold spores don’t only mix with the dust but feed on it too. Regular dusting can help reduce their food source and accelerate the removal of mold.
Conclusion
According to research, mold exposure can cause mild health issues or allergies. Furthermore, it is very difficult to save oneself from mold exposure, and people with weaker immunity are usually the ones that get sick. Lighthouserestions.org is one of the best mold remediation companies that offer services like crown mold specialists, air duct cleaning, disease control, mold testing, mold remediation in New York.
Whether it is black mold or blue mold, it is essential to get rid of them as soon as you can. Furthermore, follow our tips to ensure you don’t have to deal with mold ever again. If you are currently facing a mold allergy, consult a doctor as soon as you can.
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