Do you know that you and your family might be suffering a mold invasion in your house? You might haven’t noticed that, and even worse ignored the spread of mold at home. So if you and your family are living with mold every day, here comes a question you might be concerned about “can mold make you sick?” Is it the reason for your sick symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cough, nasal congestion, eye irritation, itchy skin, and other irritations when you are at home? This article will take you to discuss in detail that can mold make you sick and mold symptoms in humans, and furtherly provide effective methods of how to prevent molds in the room.
What is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moist environments. It can be found both indoors and outdoors and grows on a variety of surfaces such as carpets and fabrics, walls, ceilings, and more. Mold can cause damage to the surface on which it grows and can be extremely harmful to human health.
What Does Mold Smell Like?
Mold can emit different odors depending on the type of mold and the environment in which it grows.
Some molds have a musty, earthy smell, while others may smell more pungent, such as rotting food or dampness.
What Does Mold Look Like?
Depending on the species, mold can take on different colors and textures.
The appearance of mold is often white, brown, gray, or bright colors. Mold usually gathers in colonies, which are fluffy, flocculent, or cobweb-like, large in shape, loose in texture, dry in appearance, opaque, and loose or tight in shape. Mold usually grows in patches and can spread quickly if left untreated. It can also have a dramatic effect on the appearance of the surface it grows on, causing discoloration and staining.
Through the introduction of mold taste and appearance, you already know what is mold, and mold can affect human health. So what does mold do to you, then we will introduce related mold symptoms in humans.
What Can Mold Do to You?
Mold can cause a variety of health problems, but the severity depends on the type of mold, degree of exposure, and personal sensitivities. Some people may not have any symptoms, while others may have severe reactions. Next, we will elaborate on what can mold do to you from three aspects: can mold make you sick, what are the symptoms of mold sickness and how long do mold symptoms last?
Can Mold Make You Sick?
Yes, mold can make you sick. Exposure to mold may cause some respiratory problems, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. Since some people are more sensitive to mold than others, more severe symptoms may occur.
What Are the Symptoms of Mold Sickness?
Exposure to mold can cause respiratory problems such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. It can also cause skin irritation, eye irritation, and nasal congestion, among other things. In some cases, mold can even trigger asthma attacks or other allergic reactions.
How Do You Know if Mold is Making You Sick?
Symptoms of mycosis can vary between individuals and the degree of exposure. Some common symptoms include:
- Sneeze
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Respite
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Eye irritation
- Skin damage such as erythema, papules, and wheals
- Itchy skin
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- In some cases, exposure to mold can trigger asthma attacks or allergic reactions.
If you experience the above symptoms associated with exposure to mold, consult your doctor. A doctor can evaluate and recommend any necessary tests or treatments. Also, if you notice a musty smell or mold in your home or workplace, it could be a sign of mold exposure.
How Long Do Mold Symptoms Last?
The duration of mold symptoms may vary between individuals and the degree of exposure. In some cases, symptoms may resolve on their own within days or weeks. However, in some cases, symptoms may last longer. If you experience symptoms related to mold exposure, be sure to consult your doctor for evaluation and treatment.
So, mold can make you sick. In fact, mold is often seen in our lives, and you may find the existence and growth of mold in your home. Finding out where mold grows and what causes mold in a house can help you understand the importance of getting rid of mold in your room.
Tips to Find out Where Mold Grow and What Causes Mold in a House.
Here's Membrane Solutions summary of the causes of mold in house, and where you're more likely to find mold in your home. Knowing them can help you get rid of mold at its root more effectively.
What Causes Mold in a House?
Mold can grow in your home for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is a humid environment with too much moisture. Mold spores thrive in moist environments and can grow on any surface with high humidity.
Some reasons for mold in house include:
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(1). Poor ventilation: |
Insufficient ventilation can trap moisture inside the home, which can lead to mold growth. |
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(2). Water Leaks: |
Leaks in pipes, roofs, or windows can create a damp environment that can breed mold. |
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(3). High Humidity: |
High humidity in the house can create an ideal environment for mold to grow. |
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(4). Condensation: |
Condensation can form on windows, walls, and pipes, providing moisture for mold growth. |
Where Do Mold Grow?
Mold can grow anywhere in the house where there is moisture, warmth, and organic matter. Some common areas in the home where mold is found include:
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(1). Bathrooms: |
Bathrooms are often damp and damp, and are a common place for mold to grow. |
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(2). Kitchen: |
Due to cooking and washing, the humidity in the kitchen is high, which is easy to breed mold. |
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(3). Basements: |
Basements tend to have high humidity and poor ventilation, making them prime places for mold growth. |
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(4). Attic: |
Poor ventilation and high humidity in attics are other places for mold to grow. |
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(5). Walls: |
Mold can grow inside walls due to water leaks or condensation. |
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(6). Carpet: |
Carpet can absorb moisture and provide an ideal environment for mold to grow. |
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(7). Furniture: |
Mold can grow on damp furniture. |
What Are Symptoms of Having Mold in Your House?
When should you suspect mold in your home? What are the symptoms of mold exposure in your house? We have made a summary of these daily situations that can determine the presence of mold in the room:
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(1). There is a musty smell in the air: |
If you can smell a special musty smell, it means that there are already mold spores floating in the air, and they are looking for an environment suitable for reproduction. |
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(2). Towels and bath towels become sticky: |
If there is a slightly rancid smell, on a humid and hot rainy day, a towel that has not been thoroughly washed and dried will often have invisible mildew within 3-4 hours. |
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(3). Unexplained sneezing, nasal congestion, tearing, and other allergic symptoms: |
When a certain amount of mold spores appear in the air, even if no moldy items are seen, it will also cause respiratory allergy symptoms. |
You already know that mold can make you sick and it can also create a musty smell in your home. At this point, you should be dying to read how to get rid of mold in your room. Then we will introduce some methods to get rid of mold in house.
How to Get Rid of Mold and How to Prevent Molds in the Room?
Here are 4 easy ways to get rid of mold that you can use at home:
(1). You can Get Rid of Mold with Vinegar
White vinegar is a mild acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It also kills most molds on both porous and non-porous surfaces. You can safely use it on most surfaces, and its unpleasant smell will disappear quickly.
(2). You can Get Rid of Mold with Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used at home to remove black mold. It's safe for your family and pets, and it not only kills black mold but also absorbs the moisture that breeds it.
(3). You can Get Rid of Mold with Essential Oils
Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide that gets rid of mold quickly and helps prevent mold spores from coming back.
(4). You can Get Rid of Mold with Lemons
The high concentration of acid in lemons breaks down mold, making it easy to remove and leaving behind a wonderful citrus aroma.
There are certain steps you should also follow when using the methods above to remove mold:
- First determine where the mold is growing. It could be plumbing, basement or bathroom, etc.
- Wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and a mask to prevent inhaling mold spores while cleaning.
- Clean the mold-infested area with a cleaning solution (described above or one you purchased specifically for mold) and dry thoroughly with a fan or dehumidifier.
- Remember to keep your home dry and well-ventilated going forward, and promptly repair any leaks, and use a dehumidifier in high-humidity areas to prevent future mold growth.
In addition, there is a simple and efficient way to get rid of mold in your room, that is to use HEPA air purifier.
Best Way to Clean Mold in Air- HEPA Air Purifier
HEPA filters, as required by the U.S. Department of Energy, stop 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size from passing through a HEPA filter, whereas mold is typically 4 microns. So if you have or may have a mold problem in your house, a HEPA air cleaner for mold spores can easily do the trick for you.
After the air is purified, the HEPA mold air purifier sends the purified air into your room. Contaminants such as mold that get trapped in the HEPA filter, without moisture contact, will eventually be killed.
Best True HEPA Air Purifier for Mold - MSA3S True HEPA Air Purifier
The MSA3S HEPA 3-in-1 air purifier developed and produced by Membrane Solutions combines a pre-filter, HEPA 13 filter, and activated carbon filter inside to effectively remove the most common airborne allergens, including mold, dust mites, pollen, and animal skin crumbs. And it can be used as the best allergy air purifier.
The MSA3S purifies up to 1500 square feet and is capable of filtering out most airborne pollutants smaller than 0.3 microns, such as mold, pollen, dust, pet odors, cooking odors, chemicals, viruses, and VOCs. The true HEPA air purifier can be used as your best way to get rid of mold.