Health-Related Mold Problems Can Be Avoided

We can't always tell where black mold grows in our homes. This is because they generally grow in obscure places where it is humid and dark. Molds thrive where there is little sunlight and where there is a lot of moisture, and these places are usually hidden from view.

You can easily tell whether a room in a house carries mold just by the smell. Mold gives off a pungent, earthy smell - similar to the odor you inhale as soon as you enter an abandoned building that has been waterlogged for a long time, for example.

Now, we don't have to give much thought to whether or not this particular abandoned house has thousands of mold colonies, but we do have to be concerned when it comes to our own homes.

Not a few people have stumped their GPs, telling about sinusitis-like symptoms when they haven't had sinusitis ever before. Others mysteriously develop rashes, some suffer with itchy, irritated eyes, and still others experience asthma attacks even when the weather seems fair.

All these could very well be health-related mold problems. They may not be as severe as other illnesses, but they should at least make us aware that an old or faulty house is worth inspecting to make sure that all areas where mold grows are eliminated.

What these health-related mold problems are:

Wheezing or coughing. When a large number of mold spores are inhaled, a person may react by incessant sneezing or continuous coughing, as if one has a sore throat.

Irritation of the eyes. "Mold" gets in your eyes, in this case. Exposure to the mold can make you feel like rubbing your eyes out as if you were left standing in a cloud of dust, leaving your eyes red and itchy.

Itching. When your skin comes in contact with the anaerobic spores, you may tend to develop an itch, especially if you have sensitive skin. Those with skin allergies could react severely to mold exposure, so these people shouldn't even attempt to clean out a mold-infested basement all by themselves.

Another of the most common health-related mold problems is known as the 'sick building syndrome.' It is named such because of the way Black Mold proliferates in old, dilapidated buildings which have been exposed to the elements and left in a state of disrepair. The symptoms of the sick building syndrome are fatigue, headaches, and other problems with the respiratory tract.

There are causes of the sick building syndrome other than mold, but if you exhibit any of these symptoms, it's a good bet that there may indeed be mold working its way through your walls, ceilings, or under the carpets. Do the 'nose test' to find out where they breed and eliminate these spots early on to stop all health problems related to mold. Remember, prevention is still the best cure.