Finding mold growth in your home can be scary. Not only do you have to worry about the damage it can cause and how much it will cost to remove it, but you also need to worry about the variety of health risks that come along with mold exposure.
Whether you have a preexisting condition or not, living in an environment where you are constantly exposed to mold can cause a number of health issues that only get worse the longer you have exposure. What are the health risks and symptoms that accompany mold exposure, and how does it affect different people?
People With Mold Allergies
About 3-10% percent of people have some sort of mold allergy. While not every person who is allergic to mold will show symptoms, people with preexisting mold allergies are some of the most at risk when it comes to mold exposure.
Some of the most common symptoms that allergic reactions to mold causes include coughing, sneezing, congestion, shortness of breath, and having itchy eyes and skin rashes, but the severity of the symptoms can vary widely depending on the level of exposure and how sensitive a particular person is to mold spores.
While EpiPens and other allergy medications can help patients relieve their symptoms, if your home has mold and you are allergic, it is best to limit your exposure as much as possible until you are able to schedule for mold removal.
People With Asthma and Other Respiratory Conditions
People with mold allergies are not the only ones who face significant health risks when having exposure to mold. In fact, people with preexisting respiratory issues like asthma can experience many of the same symptoms.
In addition to any skin and eye irritation that may come along with mold exposure, people with respiratory conditions are particularly prone to suffering from symptoms like coughing, sneezing, wheezing, congestion, and difficulty breathing. Mold exposure can even cause asthma attacks in those with preexisting asthma, making continued exposure even more dangerous.
People with respiratory conditions should try their best to stay out of moldy environments as much as possible and, at the very least, carry their inhalers and other medications close by to combat any symptoms as they arise.
People Without Preexisting Allergies or Respiratory Conditions
While those with allergies and respiratory conditions like asthma are by far the most at risk when it comes to mold, people without these conditions can still experience a wide variety of different symptoms as a result of mold exposure.
Mold produces both allergens and irritants, and while the allergens only affect those allergic to them, the irritants that mold produces can affect anyone. This means that, even if you do not have any preexisting conditions, mold can still cause irritation of the eyes, nose, skin, throat, and lungs.
These symptoms usually subside shortly after leaving the affected area, but the longer you experience exposure, the more severe and long-lasting these symptoms have the potential to become. Even if you are healthy, if your home has a mold problem, it is a good idea to stay away until someone can remove the mold.
How to Prevent Mold Growth
The best way to avoid experiencing any of these mold-related health problems is to prevent mold from growing in the first place, and there are several ways to do this.
Mold thrives in dark, damp, and humid environments, so the best way to prevent it from taking root is to implement measures to better control and manage the moisture and humidity levels in your home.
From simple changes like installing a moisture meter, running dehumidifiers, and increasing airflow by opening windows and running HVAC systems to more labor-intensive measures like fixing leaky pipes and waterproofing areas where moisture intrusion is a problem, all of these measures can go a long way to preventing a mold infestation from starting.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Mold is Growing in Your Home?
If you think that mold may be growing in your home, it is essential that you act as quickly as possible to remedy the issue. Mold infestations do not only cause health problems. They can also do extensive damage to homes, and the longer you wait to do something about it, the more expensive the damage will be to fix. As soon as you have the slightest suspicion that your home may have a mold problem, you should call a professional mold removal company for help.
INX Indoor Air Quality: The Most Trusted Mold Remediation Company in Malvern, PA
Are you suffering from health problems caused by mold growth in your home? INX Indoor Air Quality is here to help.
INX Indoor Air Quality is the most trusted mold remediation company in the Malvern area, offering a full range of mold testing, inspection, and removal services guaranteed to make your mold problems a thing of the past.
Our team of highly skilled certified technicians and mold experts has decades of combined experience and is well-equipped with all the expertise and advanced equipment needed to flawlessly execute every step of the mold remediation process. From initial testing through cleaning, removal, and restoration, our team will inform throughout the entire process and ensure that your mold remediation project is a success.
No matter how big or small your mold problem, if you need a company you can trust to remove mold quickly and effectively every time, INX Indoor Air Quality can help.
Contact INX Indoor Air Quality and Schedule Your Mold Inspection Today
Does your Malvern, PA, home have a mold problem? Give us a call. Our team of friendly mold experts is always here to answer your questions and tell you more about how we can help you get rid of your mold problem for good.
We will even help you schedule a home inspection with an INX certified mold inspector at your earliest convenience. Do not let your home mold problems negatively affect the health of you and your family. Call INX Indoor Air Quality and take the first step toward a mold-free home today.
