Mold can flourish in any environment. It might be in your bathroom, behind your kitchen sink, where a leak could go undetected, or in your damp basement. These are just some of the usual places where you can encounter mold, which can be a possible cause of allergy. Learn about the symptoms of mold allergy from ServiceMaster of the Upstate.
What is Mold?
- Molds are members of the kingdom Fungi. The way they reproduce is different from those of plants.
- Molds have spores that can travel through the air. These spores can be inhaled and may cause allergic reactions to some people.
- Outdoor molds can be found in a moist log or a pile of wet leaves in the garden and can cause allergies during summer and fall.
- Indoor molds, on the other hand, may cause allergic reactions all year round because you can find them in many usual places, like the basement, kitchen, or bathroom.
- There are many kinds of molds, but not all can cause allergies.
- The use of dehumidifiers is an effective way to keep relative humidity levels in an acceptable range.
- Most indoor environments have a relative humidity of 40 to 50 percent when the temperature is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To prevent mold growth and reproduction, you need to resolve the source of any moisture intrusion.
Health Risks of Mold
People who experience allergic reactions to molds have symptoms similar to that of other respiratory allergies, like sneezing, nasal congestion, an itchy throat, irritated eyes, wheezing, coughing, and a runny nose. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered and intensified by mold.
When you inhale mold spores, the body recognizes them as invaders and produces allergy-causing antibodies to ward them off. In later contact with the mold, the body identifies it. It reacts by releasing chemicals such as histamine, which causes these usual mold allergy symptoms such as sneezing; itchy, watery eyes; or a runny nose.
The most common symptoms of mold exposure include the following:
- Allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, and itchy eyes
- Colds and flu-like symptoms
- Headaches
- Mold-induced asthma episodes or irritation
- Nausea
- Nose bleeds
- Respiratory issues
- Skin irritation
Risk Factors that Contribute to Mold Allergy
You may develop mold allergy symptoms due to some of these risk factors around you:
High humidity indoors
- Mold grows best in damp and humid places like the basement, uncleaned grout, and carpets. You may notice that allergy symptoms get worse when you are in a moldy room like the basement.
- Humidity above 50 inside your home poses a risk of increased exposure to mold.
Poor indoor ventilation
- When some areas in your house are closed tightly, proper ventilation is compromised, which is a perfect situation for mold growth.
- The area below the kitchen sink is vulnerable to unnoticed leaks, which may lead to undetected mold growth. When this happens, you may need mold remediation services to take care of your mold problems.
- Other areas in your home susceptible to moisture are the basement, kitchen, and laundry area.
Flood-damaged home or building
- Houses or buildings which have been exposed to excess moisture, such as flooding due to storms or leaky pipelines, are highly prone to mold growth.
- The longer mold stays in your home, the greater is your exposure to allergy-causing spores.
- Professionals must be called to clean up mold growth in hard-to-reach areas in your home.
Make an Appointment for Mold Removal in Spartanburg, South Carolina
ServiceMaster of the Upstate is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to immediately address your mold emergency. We service residential and commercial properties in Greenville, Saluda, Spartanburg, Newberry, and Laurens, South Carolina, and surrounding areas.
- We are an IICRC-certified firm in South Carolina.
- We offer a FREE estimate.
- Call us at (864) 310-7891 to schedule an appointment for mold remediation service.
- You may also message us online through our contact form.
- Our office is located at 170 Old Airport Road, Roebuck, South Carolina 29376.