Is Mold Making Me Sick?
Mold infestation, however critical it is, is one of the most neglected elements of domestic pollution. While often found below or behind appliances and in bathrooms, mold can actually thrive on practically any object in your home – like wood, paper, rug, floors, textile, and even vegetables. And, if you think you’re immune from the hazards of mold if you live in a temperate climate, think again – mold has been observed to grow routinely in dry regions. Surprisingly enough, mold can also stay inactive for years until positive conditions allow them to revive again.
Harmful effects of mold
There’s no contesting the adverse impacts of mold. It can provoke a number of vascular, digestive, respiratory, neurological, skin, urinary, immunity and reproductive problems. But, not a lot of people are aware that mold exposure can also result in life-threatening diseases, such as lung cancer.
However, the severity of health effects can be attributed to a number of factors – type of mold, the degree of exposure, recipient’s age and their general well-being. Some of the more common indications may involve:
- Muscle and joint discomfort
- Diarrhea, vomiting and liver damage
- Headache, stress, depression, memory loss, and visual distress
- Immune system disorders and fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rashes and blisters
- Infertility and impotence
Diagnosis
Diagnosing sensitivities or diseases prompted by mold is oftentimes complicated. This is because the effects and symptoms of mold illness may differ from person to person. While some people may have skin infections, other might suffer from severe migraines. This non-specific nature of mold exposure is responsible for virtually a complete dearth of information concerning mold diagnosis. That being said, you can still get checked for allergies that could occur from mold exposure by administering physical examinations such as skin prick and blood test.
How to get rid of them?
While there is no sure route to eradicate mold growth from your home, retaining moisture levels in check can work in halting their growth. Another practical measure of investing in a good quality air purifier is also effective against mold. Remember, if the mold problem is substantial, or if it is the notorious “black mold”, an air purifier may not be able to eliminate it entirely. When the mold problem gets severe, it’s only reasonable to hire commercial mold remediation services. While not really affordable, remediation professionals can locate visible mold in your home, remove them and identify and address their sources, ensuring they don’t grow back.
