Mold is one of the most common home contaminants. It can cause lung infections and allergic reactions. It also eats away at building materials. Hiring a professional mold remediation San Antonio North service is the best way to avoid these problems. Below are the ways mold can affect your home.
Mold can cause allergic reactions
If you have a home with a history of mold contamination, you may have been affected by one of the many types of allergies. People with asthma are particularly susceptible to mold, which can trigger an attack. These allergies can cause immediate and delayed symptoms, such as a runny nose or itchy, watery eyes. People with mild or moderate allergic reactions may experience hay fever-like symptoms and a dry cough or skin rash. Mold can also trigger asthma attacks in people with chronic illnesses, including diabetes or asthma.
Various doctors recommend different treatments for mold exposure, but the best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid it entirely. Your doctor will probably recommend that you test your home to find out which types of mold are present. However, this short-term treatment will have a limited impact if the indoor environment has not been remedied. While over-the-counter drugs may reduce airway inflammation and suppress allergic reactions, they won’t help much if mold spores are inhaled.
In addition to causing allergic reactions, molds can worsen other health conditions such as asthma. People with obstructive pulmonary disorder and asthma risk worsening their symptoms when exposed to mold. People with pre-existing medical conditions are more susceptible to allergic reactions than healthy people. If you suspect that you have a mold-contaminated home, it is essential to consult with your doctor and a certified remediation company.
Mold can cause lung infections
If you are worried about developing a mold allergy, it is best to see a doctor. They can confirm that you are allergic to mold spores and prescribe an antifungal or corticosteroid medication to combat your symptoms. Mold spores can become airborne when they die or are handled. A mold remediation company in San Antonio, North is essential for your safety.
Before hiring a mold remediation company:
- Make sure you know their experience in cleaning up mold.
- Check references and ask if they have any certifications.
- Ask them to follow the guidelines of the EPA’s Office of Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other relevant industry standards.
Those with chronic lung conditions or immune system disorders are at higher risk for lung infections caused by mold exposure. People with chronic lung conditions, people with weakened immune systems, and people with organ transplants are also at higher risk for this type of infection. However, even healthy individuals can get mold infections. Those with lung problems should contact a mold remediation San Antonio North company.
Mold can eat through building materials
The good news is that mold is an almost always-present part of our lives. Some forms of mold are beneficial, like the kind found in blue cheese. However, if you accidentally eat food infected with mold, you will probably be okay. But if you’re unsure, toss it! Mold is hazardous to fruits and vegetables, which are known to be porous and can spread very quickly.
To understand how dangerous mold is to your home, you should learn about its life cycle. The environmental protection agency warns that mold can grow in houses if they are exposed to moisture. Mold needs high humidity to reproduce and is often found in areas where water has damaged building materials. The most common indoor molds are Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus. In addition, toxic molds such as Stachybotrys are rare and only exist in homes plagued with moisture for a long time.
Water-damaged ceilings and walls invite the growth of mold. If you discover any areas of a building that have suffered from water damage, clean them immediately to prevent further development. Proper ventilation is essential to help push moist air outside. It would help if you also used exhaust fans and air conditioners to help reduce indoor humidity levels. If you must use the clothes dryer, ensure the lint filter is clean and vented outside.