How Do Doctors Diagnose Mold Allergy
To diagnose an allergy to mold or fungi, the doctor will take a complete medical history. If they suspect a mold allergy, the doctor often will do skin tests or allergen specific IgE blood tests. Extracts of different types of fungi may be used to scratch or prick the skin. If there is no reaction, then you probably dont have an allergy. The doctor uses the patient’s medical history, the skin testing results and the physical exam to diagnose a mold allergy.
How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.
Cleaning Up Small And Medium Mould Problems
Bleach is not necessary to clean up mould.
You can clean up small areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Unless the mould growth is on smooth surfaces such as bathroom tiles, surface cleaning will not eliminate the problem.
In most cases you can clean up medium areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Materials damaged by mould must be physically removed and disposed of under safe conditions. However, it is important to seek professional assistance if there is a large mould problem or if mould comes back after cleaning.
Susceptible individuals such as pregnant women, infants, children, the elderly, and occupants with asthma, allergies or other health problems should not be in or near the area where the mould is being cleaned up.
Minimum protective gear needed:
- a disposable N95 mask and
- household disposable gloves.
You can purchase an N95 mask from a hardware store. Make sure that the label says “N95”. Other masks are designed to provide limited protection against dust and are not suitable for protecting against mould exposure. Make sure that the mask is properly fitted and you can breathe through the mask.
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Six Easy Ways To Control Your Mold Allergy
Molds can flourish almost anywhere, on almost any surface, in air conditioners, humidifiers and in plant soil. Visible as spots or streaks, the mold spores contain the allergen, and once they become airborne, your symptoms begin. Unfortunately, mold can sometimes be difficult to find and identify.
The difficulty in finding and identifying mold makes minimizing your exposure to mold spores tricky. But it is important: by minimizing your exposure, you can significantly diminish your symptoms. In fact, many people find that they can reduce or even eliminate their reliance on medication by taking the following steps to remove the mold from their home. The steps are listed below in approximate order of importance. The first two are the easiest and cheapest and are worth trying first.
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How Do Air Purifiers Help With Mold
Mold spores can easily enter our home through an open window. Mold loves moisture thats why mold spores will grow in indoor areas with high humidity. When the mold spores proliferate enough, they will float through the air as easily as dust searching for a new target.
According to the CDC, the most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus.
Those airborne mold spores are exactly what we want not only to filter out but destroy entirely. Thats how we can prevent the spread of mold through the air. And for that, we need that mold-destroying UV light filters.
How does UV light air purifier help with the mold?
The key part, obviously, is the UV lamp. Air purifiers without a UV lamp will do a poor job removing mold. The ones with the strong UV lamp, on the other hand, can literally fry the mold spores out of the blue.
Here is just one additional piece of advice if you truly want to fight mold growth in your home: Get yourself a dehumidifier with an air purifier.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold On Shower Tile And Grout
Shower tile and grout can be a difficult area to keep mold free because the wet and warm conditions make it a prime breeding ground for mold. However, small areas of mold can be removed with a grout cleaner , a mold remover, or a bleach-and-water solution.
- Spray the grout, let the formula penetrate, and rinse. In some cases, there’s no scrubbing needed: In our tests, Clorox Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover spray killed 99.9% of mold and mildew germs and bacteria in only five minutes.
What Causes Mold To Grow
Molds are found everywhere because they are part of the natural environment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.
From the statement above, its clear that there will likely be small amounts of mold in any basement. This mold usually dies away before it reproduces to concerning levels.
Mold is often found in the basement because this part of the home provides the most suitable environment for mold growth. It has the food required by the mold to grow. This source of food could be paper, cardboard box, or wood. Also, the warmth and moisture in the basement provide an optimal environment for the mold to multiply.
To kill mold and ensure that it doesnt regroup and attack, you will need to be able to identify it. The Canadian company that provides mold, toxin, and pollution recovery services, Cleanfirst.ca, says that The easiest way to check for mold is to sniff around for a musty or smell. Adding, The limited ventilation in your basement will make it much easier for you to detect any strange odors.
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What Health Effects Can Be Caused By Exposure To Mold
Some people are more sensitive to molds than others. These include
- infants and children
- elderly persons
- immune compromised persons
- individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma and allergies
The same amount of mold may cause health effects in one person, but not in another. Exposure to molds can cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and headaches.
When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems for people. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. See the Illinois Department of Public Healths fact sheet, Mold and Your Health, for more information about health effects.
Noticing Signs Of Mold In Your Air Ducts
ODORS. An unusual or musty odor is often the first sign of mold in air ducts or in air vents. In many cases, youll smell it before you can see it. If you notice a musty or moldy smell that goes away when you are not using your air conditioning or heating , that can narrow the cause down to mold in your HVAC system.
Mold and mildew in air vents and ducts can smell wet, rotten, or stale. If you notice a recurring problem, particularly in areas with poor ventilation or a lot of moisture, get it checked out right away.
VISIBLE MOLD. Look for the first signs of mold around AC vents, in the ducts and in the drip pans. Condenser coils pull moisture out of the air and into drip pans, and if these become clogged they create the perfect environment for mold to grow.
Keep in mind that mold spreads through spores, which are tiny particles that are invisible to the naked eye. That means you wont necessarily see actual patches of mold growth right away. By the time you do see a noticeable amount of mold, infestation can be quite serious. At that point, you need professional help to get rid of the mold and make sure it doesnt come back.
SYMPTOMS. If people or pets in your home start exhibiting symptoms whenever the AC is on, mold in air ducts might be the cause. If theres enough mold in or around the vents, it can spread in the air, causing allergy like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritated nose and throat, and itchy eyes.
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Are There Any Natural Remedies For Removing Mold
If you’re looking for a natural solution to remove mold, one of the below options will work. Keep in mind, though, that they may take more time than bleach and may not remove stains:
- Hydrogen peroxide: Grab a spray bottle and pour 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. Spray the affected area, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub the mold away.
- Vinegar: Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the moldy area. Let it sit for an hour and then wipe the area clean with water and allow it to dry.
Mold Remediation Safety Precautions
The process of removing mold can stir up significant amounts of mold spores. The goal of mold remediation safety precautions is two-fold:
The area affected by mold should be isolated from the rest of the structure as much as possible, using plastic sheeting or simply closing doors. However, the area should be vented to the outside if possible, using window fans or opening whatever path to the outside is available.
Workers should wear filter masks designed to stop mold spores. Inexpensive paper masks that fit over the mouth with a rubber strap will not offer much protection. Eye protection is also important, to keep both mold spores and other debris out of the workers eyes. If possible, occupants should temporarily relocate during mold remediation to minimize their exposure, especially if they have allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues that could be aggravated by mold spore exposure.
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Top Tips For Controlling Mold
It’s impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores in your home, but because mold spores can’t grow without moisture, reducing moisture in your home is the best way to prevent or eliminate mold growth. If there is already mold growing in your home, it’s important to clean up the mold and fix the problem causing dampness. If you clean up the mold but don’t fix the problem, the mold will most likely return.
Following is some advice for reducing moisture throughout the home with specific tips for the areas most prone to dampness and mold growth:
Around the house:
In the kitchen:
- Use exhaust fans to move moisture outside whenever you are cooking, washing dishes, or cleaning.
- Turn off certain appliances if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
- Check for leaks around the kitchen sink, refrigerator ice makers, and other sources of water. Repair if necessary.
- Empty and clean refrigerator drip pans if necessary.
In basements and crawl spaces:
In the laundry room:
- Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
- Make sure the vent is clear of obstructions, such as lint, and that there are no holes that leak air. If the vent duct is damaged, replace it with a metal duct. Have the duct cleaned at least once a year.
- Avoid leaving damp clothes in the laundry basket or dryer. Wash and dry them promptly.
In bathrooms:
Do Air Purifiers Get Rid Of Mold Spores
Aside from releasing mold spores back outside, another way on how to remove mold spores from the air is by using air purifiers.
Find one equipped with filters that can trap mold spores and other present airborne contaminants.
There are also more advanced features available, like UV light, which is known to kill biological particles like dust mites and mold spores.
We certainly recommend getting an air purifier that comes with one if you can.
Air purifier filters will lose their capacity over time as they catch more particles. Hence, they will eventually need to be replaced.
If you do opt to replace them, do so in a well-ventilated area.
You might also want to consider wearing an N-95 face mask if you believe you will be exposed to mold spores and other harmful airborne contaminants.
Doing this will prevent you from inhaling these particles.
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How Long Does Mold Stay In The Air
If you have found that you have mold growing in any part of your home, it is understandable that you might be concerned about mold spores that are in the air. It is really difficult to get rid of mold in its entirety, especially if it keeps coming back.
Mold spores can become a big problem, and those that are released into the air are toxic when they have been inhaled or ingested.
The worst part about them is that they cannot be seen, so you never know when you might be breathing them in.
To completely eradicate any mold spores that are present in the air, you will need to target the source of the mold first.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything that you need to know about mold spores and how to get rid of them.
What Do Air Purifiers Do
There are several air purifiers, but those that are the most effective at removing mold spores from indoor air are high-efficiency particulate air air purifiers. HEPA filters capture 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles, including dust and other allergens, and an even higher percentage of larger particles. Since mold spores are usually about 1-20 microns, the HEPA filter is perfect for extracting mold spores from the air. However, you should not use air purifiers to treat the underlying mold problem.
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Can Mold Spores Spread To Furniture
What some people may not know is that mold can actually spread from one piece of furniture to another. In the end mold can even destroy some of your most treasured family heirlooms. Although there are times when furniture that has been contaminated by mold is beyond help, this is not always the case.
Mold: A Common Hvac Complaint That Is Easy To Deal With
The presence of mold in an HVAC system is a common complaint. Mold is a sneaky little bugger. It can grow and proliferate and make building occupants sick without ever being seen, and dramatically reduce indoor air quality . And the fastest way to spread mold through a building is through a forced-air HVAC system.
The reason this complaint is so common is that mold is always present in your buildings and your HVAC system to the extent that it is present in your buildings environment. There will be more mold in humid weather and less in dry weather. You will never get rid of it completely, but you can control it. All it needs to grow is moisture and food take those away and the mold goes away.
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According to the U.S. EPA, you should routinely inspect your HVAC systems, not just for mold, but for moisture. Look at drain and condensate pans to make sure they are draining properly. If they are clogged, the moisture that accumulates will become a mold factory. Also make sure that all HVAC ducts and system components such as air handlers, blowers, plenums, and the like are free of any moisture.
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How Does Mold Affect Health
Most people have few difficulties when exposed to mold spores, but it is estimated that about 10 percent of the population is severely allergic to mold. Symptoms include respiratory problems, nasal and sinus congestion, watery eyes, sore throat, coughing and skin irritations. Mold also can trigger asthma attacks. In some cases reactions are fatal.
Children , elderly persons, pregnant women, people with respiratory problems, and those whose immune systems are impaired are at higher risk from mold exposure. Even persons who have no ill effects at first may develop an allergy to mold after continued exposure. Therefore, everyone should avoid exposure to mold spores.
