Signs Your House Has A Mold Problem
One of the biggest nightmares for homeowners is discovering that their home has a mold problem. Because mold is a major issue, new homeowners should have their potential home tested for mold and current homeowners should always be on the lookout for signs of mold at any time.
Although mold can sometimes be tricky and stay hidden for quite some time, there are a few ways to tell that its lurking in the walls. If youre a homeowner, and youre not sure how to tell if you have mold in your home, then youll want to continue reading below.
Below are several key signs that should signal to any homeowner that there could be a mold problem. Grab your notepad and get ready to jot down some notes because you wont want to forget these mold signs!
Cleaning Your Nasal Passages
Regularly cleaning your nasal passages with a salt water solution known as nasal douching or irrigation can also help by keeping your nose free of irritants.
You can do this either by using a homemade solution or a solution made with sachets of ingredients bought from a pharmacy.
Small syringes or pots that often look like small horns or teapots are also available to help flush the solution around the inside of your nose.
To make the solution at home, mix half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into a pint of boiled water that’s been left to cool to around body temperature do not attempt to rinse your nose while the water is still hot.
To rinse your nose:
- stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it
- sniff the water into one nostril at a time
- repeat this until your nose feels comfortable you may not need to use all of the solution
While you do this, some solution may pass into your throat through the back of your nose. The solution is harmless if swallowed, but try to spit out as much of it as possible.
Nasal irrigation can be carried out as often as necessary, but a fresh solution should be made each time.
Mold And Bleeding Lungs: Another Connection
The possible linkage between exposure to airborne concentrations of Stachybotrys mold spores and bleeding of the lungs is controversial. In the United States, this association between contaminant and symptoms was first postulated by doctors Dorr Dearborn and Ruth Etziel in relation to a number of infant deaths and near deaths in 1994. Since this study of health problems involved both a clinical pediatrician and an investigator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the CDC accepted their findings of Stachybotrys as the probable cause of the infant symptoms. However, a later panel set up by the CDC to review the work of Dearborn and Etziel concluded the association of the mold to the babies’ injuries could not be proven. Although the review did not conclude that Stachybotrys was ruled out as a cause and Dearborn/Etziel published a rebuttal to the review, the official position of most professionals in the mold control industry is that Stachybotrys has not been proven to cause bleeding from the lungs.
The Case Study
Mold Awareness
At about the time Dr. X was trying to get back to normal following the near death hospital episode, her father-in-law saw a news program that provided Web sites about fungus and lung disease. Her symptoms seemed to him to be very similar to those on the news program. She started searching to see if fungal contamination could be a cause. This is when our organization got involved to investigate her office.
Building History
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Keep Black Mold Symptoms From Reoccurring
Once you have been diagnosed with a black mold allergy or poisoning and have started treatment the first thing you will want to do is be sure the mold problem is gone and never comes back!
Here are some ways to be sure the mold is gone and how to prevent it from coming back:
- Clean any hard surfaces like counters and faucets with mold killing products. You can also use a combination of bleach and water for these surfaces.
- Remove any soft surfaces like carpet or drywall that may have been contaminated with mold. The CDC says that mold can even grow on paper, cardboard and wood!
- Be sure any leaks or flooding issues have been resolved.
- Keep rooms free of moisture buildup by having proper ventilation.
- Healthline says to keep indoor humidity below 50%, and to use a dehumidifier if necessary
- Most importantly, if you arent sure about the mold issue in your home, contact a professional!
Rock Emergency Services Inc. is certified in the state of New York for Mold Remediation.
What You Can Do
- Ask if there are any pre-appointment restrictions when making your appointment. For example, if you’re having allergy tests, your doctor will likely want you to stop taking allergy medications for several days before the test.
- Write down your symptoms, as well as where you were and what you were doing when the symptoms started.
- List all the medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses.
- Write down questions for your doctor.
For a mold allergy, some questions you might want to ask include:
- What do you think is causing these symptoms?
- Are there tests available that can confirm a specific allergy? Do I need to prepare for these tests?
- How can I treat a mold allergy?
- What side effects can I expect from allergy medications?
- How can I get mold out of my home?
- I have another health condition. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Do you have brochures or other printed materials I can have? What websites do you recommend?
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How Can I Be Exposed To Mold
People are exposed to molds every day, usually by touching or breathingthem. Because molds naturally exist outdoors and indoors, living in a totallymold-free environment is practically impossible. As molds grow, spores can bereleased into the air where they can be easily inhaled. People who inhale largenumbers of spores may get sick. Possible health concerns are an importantreason to prevent mold growth and to clean up molds in indoor environments.
Why Does Mold Cause Nose Bleeds
Nosebleeds are fairly common but interestingly, have many different causes. If you were wondering can mold cause nose bleeds, youd be right. Mold and nosebleeds can be synonymous with an environment ripe with mycotoxins.
These pesky fungi can wreak havoc on your immune system if they go unchecked, particularly, in homes with toxic black mold. This mold is known for its detrimental impact on the immune system, so it is no surprise it can trigger nosebleeds as well.
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How Can Mold Affect My Health
Many molds can cause health effects. Molds produce allergens, irritants and,sometimes, toxins that may cause adverse reactions in humans. A reaction tomold depends on how much a person is exposed to, the age of the person and thepersons sensitivities or allergies. The same amount of mold may causehealth effects in one person, but not in another.
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who havetouched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions such as arunny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash and itching. Molds can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic tomolds, causing wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. A diseaselike pneumonia may also develop after exposure to mold, but this is uncommon.
Infectious diseases from molds can occur in people with weakened immunesystems, such as those who are immune-compromised or immune-suppressed fromdrug treatment. Some types of mold are known to cause infections inimmune-compromised people. Such infections can affect the skin, eyes, lungs orother organs. These are considered opportunistic infections that usually do notaffect healthy people.
When To See A Doctor
If you think you have COVID-19, you should isolate yourself from other people for 10 days. If your symptoms are mild, you can treat yourself at home. You should avoid public transportation and other crowded areas, and If possible, you should try to use a separate bathroom from other people in your home.
Its best not to visit a doctor in person if you have mild symptoms because it may put others at risk of getting the virus. If you need to see a doctor, its best to phone ahead. Many clinics are taking appointments by phone or online.
Medical emergency
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Is Mold Linked To Asthma In Children
The dangers associated with mold exposure and inhaling mold spores have been common knowledge to the public for many years now. Mold releases toxic spores that are damaging to human health when inhaled for a prolonged period of time. For example, they can contribute to or worsen asthma symptoms.
There are thousands of different species of mold, and some are more harmful than others. The most harmful strand of mold is Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold. Some of the most common symptoms of black mold exposure are shortness of breath, sneezing, coughing, skin irritation, red or itchy eyes, wheezing and respiratory complications and infections .
Did you know?
Stachybotrys is the 3rd common toxic mold type found in homes we tested?! Find out more exciting mold stats and facts inside our mold statistics page.
Recently, a study confirmed a link between mold and childhood onset of asthma. A strong link between mold exposure and asthma in children is a significant cause for concern. Having your home inspected for mold by a professional can determine whether or not its hiding and reduce the chance of future outbreaks. Many times, homeowners are not even aware of existing mold problems in their homes because mold can hide behind walls and ceilings, underneath carpets and in other places that are difficult to reach.
Create a healthy and safe environment for you and your family by helping reduce the chance of black mold growth.
A History Of Flooding
One final sign that you might have toxic mold in your home can be found in the structures history. Homes that have a history of flooding are prime targets for mold. Homes that are in tropical environments in the southeastern part of the country are more prone to mold than northern homes. After a flood, the puddles of water might be gone, but the dampness remains. That moisture hidden behind walls and in basements is the perfect breeding ground for mold. If your home has flooded more than once, then there could be a mold outbreak hidden from sight.
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How To Minimize Your Risk
To know how to protect yourself, start by knowing where mold spores thrive. Besides growing best in warm, damp, humid spots. Outside, youll find mold in shady, damp areas or where leaves or other vegetation break down. Inside, mold grows in high-humidity locations, such as basements and showers, she says.
If you are prone to breathing problems, such as asthma, you should consider limiting exposure to damp, humid areas such as basements and saunas, she says.
Here are other things you can do to minimize your mold exposure risk:
- Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep humidity levels below 50% at all times.
- Check the humidity level in your home at least once a day because humidity changes with temperature shifts.
- Be sure your home is adequately ventilated. If you have exhaust fans, use them especially when you shower.
- Use paints fortified with mold inhibitors.
- Use mold-killing bathroom cleaning products, such as bleach.
- Dont carpet bedrooms or bathrooms. If you own your home and can afford to, remove carpeting from your home and replace with another surface, such as laminate tile, thats easy to clean.
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have gotten wet or soaked through in the past as these are breeding grounds for mold spores.
What Causes Nasal Congestion
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How To Minimize The Risk Of Mold Exposure
If you have mold spores spreading through your home, it’s a problem that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. The longer you leave it and ignore it, the more harm it will do to your health and the health of your family members.
To keep those issues to a minimum, try the following:
- Keep humidity levels below 50%. You can use a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to do this.
- Make sure you have good ventilation throughout your home.
- If you’re redecorating your home, looking for paint that contains mold inhibitors.
- Clean the mold using bleach. It won’t remove it completely from your home, but it’ll stop it from spreading and will reduce your exposure.
- Try to keep your home as dry as possible, as mold thrives in damp conditions.
- If your house has flooded many times, consider changing the rugs and carpets, as they may be harboring mold spores.
- Swap carpets and rugs for laminate tiles, as they are easier to clean and dry.
You can also speak with a mold remediation specialist. They are experts in removing molds from homes and will attack the problem at its source, eliminating your exposure and keeping your home mold-free and your body side-effect-free going forward.
Finding And Getting Rid Of Mold For Good
Hiring an experienced mold removal professional is the best option for finding and ridding your home of harmful mold spores causing nosebleeds. They offer free consultations and will create a plan of eradicating mold throughout your home.
Another option for discovering whether you have mold in your home or not is the use of a gravity plate testing kit. This is the most commonly used method for detecting mold in your home. It helps detect mold hidden in hard to see places like cabinetry, closets, furniture, and crawl spaces.
Whether you chose to contact a professional or use an in-home kit to discover mold, we are here to answer any questions you have about next steps to protect you from mold and nosebleeds. Our superior customer service is not limited to the quality of our products but includes keeping our customers informed! Reach out to us, today!
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Do You Have To Pee All The Time
Another symptom the HPA axis may be affected by mold is frequent urination. Antidiuretic hormone is made by the pituitary gland. Low levels of ADH are often seen with mycotoxins. With low ADH your body cant hold on to the water it needs inside your blood vessels. You end up peeing it out, or it leaks from capillaries into your tissues causing swelling, edema and loss of necessary body salts and electrolytes.
Mycotoxin exposure can lead to leaky gut.
Increased intestinal permeability, or leaky gut in itself can inflame the whole pelvis. Mold exposures can lead to chronic infections, usually treated with antibiotics, which also decimate the normal good guy probiotics, causing yeast fungal overgrowth and dysbiosis in the gut. All perpetuate leaky gut. Leaky gut can contribute to insulin resistance, PCOS, cramps, endometriosis, and fibroids.We know in many animal models, those that consume lots of mold through contaminated grains, have miscarriages and fertility issues and the same thing can happen with humans. You may have heard leaky gut, leaky brain. No surprise. Inflammation in the gut can travel back to the brain and limbic system through the vagus nerve. So gut inflammation can cause brain inflammation, and brain inflammation can cause all kinds of gut issues. No wonder our hormones get so out of whack!
Mold Could Be Cause Of Sneezing Runny Nose Coughing
Many people think of mold as that fuzzy stuff found on fruit, lunchmeat or other food that’s had an extended stay in the refrigerator. But, in some homes, mold is not only found on food, but also on walls, around toilets, in basements and in other high-moisture areas.
And it can make you sick.
A variety of symptoms including sneezing, coughing and skin rash have been linked to mold. Limiting exposure and preventing mold from growing in your home are the best defenses against any adverse effects, according to area medical and mold remediation experts.
“Normally, you need three things for mold: a food source, moisture and slow moving air,” said Tom Currie, mitigation supervisor at in Swatara Twp. “If you can remove any one of these three things, then mold has a much harder time growing.”
Molds are common in the natural environment, where they play a role in breaking down dead organic matter such as dead trees and fallen leaves. But they can pose a problem when as mold spores they get inside, land on moist surfaces and grow. Molds come in a variety of shapes and colors, and they sometimes are associated with a sour or musty smell.
Allergies are the most common health problems connected with mold, said Dr. Faoud Ishmael, assistant professor of medicine at the Penn State College of Medicine.
Sometimes, if its surface mold, you can just wipe it away, he said. But its the unseen stuff that is really the problem.
Stopping mold before it strikes
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