How Damaging Is Mold Illness To Your Health?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says “there is always some mold everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces.” This is a scary fact because the ideal way to prevent the health impacts of mold is to avoid it altogether. When you factor in the EPA, who indicates that “the levels of many air pollutants may be two to five times higher in indoor air than outdoor air,” it can be alarming for your health.

With mold everywhere and nowhere to hide from it, what are you supposed to do? After all, nearly 40% of the population already lives in places where there are unhealthy levels of pollution.

According to Envirovent, “improving the quality of air in your home” may be the answer to your mold-related health issues.

Why Is Mold Dangerous?

In short, the black or green mildew can result in a number of problems. These include but aren’t limited to:

• Difficult Breathing
• Skin Irritation
• Itchy Eyes
• Muscle Fatigue

While any of the above may not be life-threatening, mold illness is no joke and mold removal is a recommended treatment. Without the bacteria in your proximity, the chances of suffering from these ailments are a lot lower.

How Damaging Can It Be?

The impacts of mold differ depending on the person and the situation. Whereas some people suffer from difficulty breathing and a rash, others may have a more severe reaction. Here are three examples of the types of mold illnesses which can occur if you don’t deal with straight away and that is very damaging to your health.

Lung Infections

The CDC states that: “molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation.” However, it also points out that “people with mold allergies may have more severe reactions.” One of the most common forms of mold illness is a lung infection. Because the organs are weak and the immune system is frail, the body can’t fight off the bacteria as effectively. The symptoms are:

• A buildup of Pus & Mucus
• Swollen Airways, and
• Problems Breathing

Worryingly, if the infection occurs in the smaller air sacs, this can lead to pneumonia. In the bigger airways, sufferers generally contract bronchitis which is another dangerous illness. Shortness of breath is a sign there may be a problem. An infection, although treatable, has the ability to escalate quickly. As bacteria evolve and become more effective at fighting off antibiotics, this means the effects of mold can be grave.

Asthma

People with asthma should know that their symptoms will get worse after exposure to mold spores. Even after mold removal has taken place, the bacteria can linger in the air and lead to:

• Sneezing
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• A cough and post-nasal drip
• Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
• Watery Eyes
• Dry, Scaly Skin

What’s very worrying is the fact that there is evidence to suggest mold leads to asthma. More than 6 million children have asthma says the National Institutes of Health, and genes are “known to play a part.” However, “so does the home environment” as 24% of children involved in a University of Cincinnati study contracted asthma after exposure to high levels of ERMI. While this research doesn’t prove mold causes asthma on its own, it does “provide strong evidence that indoor mold can contribute to asthma development.”

Allergic Reaction

“In a review of studies of children from ten countries, aged six to twelve, Antova and colleagues found that mold in the household correlated with a variety of respiratory disorders.” This is an excerpt from poison.org and the article points out the disorders include:

• Wheezing
• Coughing at night
• Hay Fever, and
• Allergic Symptoms

The latter is incredibly dangerous. When the body detects an “allergen,” it sends out antibodies to destroy the intruder. As a result, your body releases histamine which causes blood vessels to expand and the symptoms to occur. Some may be benign, such as watery eyes and a sneezing attack. Others, if severe enough, lead to anaphylactic shocks. Mold is a common allergen so it’s essential to understand if you’re allergic and how to combat an attack should one occur. WebMD has advice for anyone who is interested.

How You Can Fight Back

Reading about the damaging effects of mold illness to your health is enough to make your brain run wild. The good news is that there are ways to deal with moldy areas in your home and mold exposure. Below is a handful of the easiest and most effective methods:

Improve Ventilation

Mold needs a few things before it can grow, most of which are available in the majority of homes. For example, there is oxygen and moisture in every room in the house. Your task is to take away these elements so that there aren’t any negative health effects. An air conditioning unit is a good idea if there is room and you can afford the electricity rates. Alternatively, opening a window and closing the door should ensure there’s a fresh influx of cold air.

Check for Leaks

Water leaks provide a perfect environment for mold growth. However, they aren’t as conspicuous as they sound as the roof may have a small crack which lets in a small amount of water. Because mold only needs 24 hours to take hold, a drip of H2O is plenty. Head up to the attic and use a flashlight to illuminate any issues. Or, you can use the hosepipe to splash water on slates and watch for leaks.

The Takeaway

Unfortunately, mold illness is a realistic possibility if you are exposed to the spores for long enough. And, because it grows quickly and spreads, they are hard to avoid. Thankfully, there are treatments yet it’s always a wise move to include a professional. GreenWorks investigators are certified mold experts that deal in everything from mold inspection to mold remediation and mold removal. If you want to safeguard your health, pick up the phone or visit the website now.