Mold growing outdoors forms an essential part of our natural ecosystem since it’s instrumental in breaking down plant and animal matter. However, mold can become a concern once it enters your home and starts to reproduce.
Uncontrolled microbial growth is notorious for eating through building materials such as wood, drywall, and insulation and will even grow on concrete. But more importantly, it can be dangerous to your and your loved ones’ health.
Understanding what you’re dealing with is the first step to keeping yourself and your family healthy. To help you get started, let’s unpack the different symptoms of mold exposure, plus the steps you can take if you suspect microbial growth inside your home.
Mold occurs in our natural environment, so we are exposed to small amounts of it when we’re outdoors. But when it begins to propagate inside your home and boosts indoor mold levels, it can cause allergies, headaches, nausea, or other health issues. The symptoms of mold exposure differ from person to person.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold exposure may not be related to any particular health complication. However, vulnerable individuals such as those with mold allergies, are more susceptible to experiencing dangerous symptoms such as
memory loss, fatigue, or headaches. While the health risks of mold exposure may vary from person to person, it’s always best to address mold effectively to maintain a healthy environment in your home.
While some people may be asymptomatic, some individuals may develop symptoms quickly, especially those with existing health conditions, making them more susceptible to mold-related reactions. Therefore, it’s best to enlist professional mold remediation when you detect signs of microbial growth.
As we’ve mentioned, the signs and symptoms of mold exposure differ for each person. It also helps to remember that the way an individual was exposed to mold also plays a role in the health issues they may experience.
If you are living in a house with high mold levels or have been exposed to it at school or work, you may experience:
These symptoms can progress to asthma and lung diseases if the exposure to mold continues, so all microbial growth in your property must be urgently addressed.
Mold infections are not common, but they can affect people with suppressed immune systems due to medication intake, alcohol, or tobacco use. In addition, those with lung conditions or previous health issues are also vulnerable to such infections.
Mold infection progresses in time and causes:
If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
If you or someone you live with falls within the following categories then getting professional mold remediation will help protect your health and your home.
If you believe you or a loved one is suffering from symptoms of mold exposure, the best course of action is to consult a doctor first. A doctor will be able to determine whether mold exposure is indeed causing your allergic reactions or if it’s likely that another health condition is responsible.
For mold allergies, treatments usually include nasal corticosteroid sprays, antihistamines, and decongestants. You may also be given allergy shots if you experience severe symptoms.
But in addition to seeking prompt treatment after mold exposure, keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy requires taking preventative steps like:
It may be time to call in the experts in mold remediation if you’ve experienced:
While mold exposure isn’t always the cause of certain health problems, it’s always safer to have microbial growth removed from your home. Vulnerable individuals, such as those with existing health conditions can suffer from symptoms of mold allergy and infection that can worsen with continued exposure to mold. Indoor mold can also put those with chronic diseases and weak immune systems at a higher risk of developing further health complications. Further, severe mold infestations can damage your home’s structure and compromise its structural integrity as well.
Our trained team here at 1st Response Restoration can assist with swift and thorough mold remediation to help mitigate the risk of suffering health issues as a result of mold exposure. How quickly you respond to microbial growth and mold infestation can make all the difference in protecting your family and safeguarding your property. Serving all of Eastern Idaho 24/7 with just one call!
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(208) 684-0201