Complications from mold exposure include nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, skin and/or eye irritation, and upper respiratory infection. Really, anyone who comes into contact with mold can experience these symptoms. However, there are groups of people who are at higher risk of developing more serious complications from mold exposure.
High-Risk Groups
It is believed that there are three types of people who are far more susceptible to mold exposure than others. Here are these groups.
- People with respiratory problems like asthma, allergies, sinusitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This makes sense since mold causes breathing problems; those who already struggle to breathe are going to be more impacted by mold exposure.
- People who have a compromised immune system. This includes those with cancer and HIV.
- The very old or the very young, as well as pregnant woman, can be affected by exposure to mold spores. In young children their immune systems are still developing, so exposure to mold will have a greater impact on these immune systems. In older people their immune system is run down and likely already stressed by other things having to do with their age. This makes them much more susceptible to the symptoms that come with mold exposure.
These issues are not only limited to these groups of people, though. Anyone who comes into contact with mold can be harmfully affected.
If you are unsure if you are affected by allergies to mold, one sure-fire way is seeing if your symptoms subside when you leave the home or area where you experience these symptoms. It’s possible you could have an undetected mold problem that you’ll want to have addressed.
If you fall into any of the above risk groups and have been experiencing any symptoms of mold exposure, then contact your physician. It’s important to keep the areas that you are aware have mold clean and dry. Bathrooms and basements are often breeding grounds for mold, so make sure you address these areas of your home by creating better ventilation and removing the moisture from these areas. Clean and dust free are going to be your first steps in combating mold problems and the spores that might be negatively affecting you.
Those sensitive to the effects of mold should avoid things such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas. Indoors controlling humidity in the home will help to keep the mold at bay. Removing the mold that you can see from hard surfaces can be done with soap and water or with bleach mixed with water. If you use bleach, be sure that you are in a well-ventilated area and never mix bleach and ammonia.
Being proactive with the exposure to mold is what’s going to be the best defense against any mold complications you experience. Knowing that you’ll have to be more diligent if you or someone you know falls into the above risk categories is going to go a long way to keeping everyone breathing normally and healthy. So do what you can to limit your exposure to mold, even if you are not a part of the high-risk group for mold exposure.
Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Rapid Restoration is South Florida’s #1 restoration company in the disaster relief industry. With 24/7 emergency services we have provided thousands of clients with emergency restoration services throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Miami Dade, Broward, and Port St. Lucie Counties. We offer property restoration, mediation and, repair for water damage, mold removal, fire, smoke and biohazard removal services throughout the entire South Florida area.
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Whether it’s your home or office that’s been affected by water damage, fire, smoke damage, or mold, contact Rapid Restoration Recovery, Inc.
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