HOW DOES MOLD AFFECT THE BODY?

You may have heard that mold can be harmful to you and your family if it is present in your home, but do you know why?  How can certain types of mold cause illness when mold is everywhere in the atmosphere?  How can you control mold in your home so that you and your family stay healthy?  These are all questions that are important to consider, especially if you have recently experienced a flood or water damage in your home.

WHY ARE SOME MOLDS HARMFUL?

In a biological sense, molds are not only a prevalent part of the biosphere but they are actually necessary to support life as we know it.  Molds are not “bad” or “good”; like any other organism, some molds can be harmful to humans under certain conditions.

Molds like dark, moist spots, so they are commonly present in areas that are not immediately apparent to the naked eye.  Once established, a mold colony will reproduce by producing spores which are wafted into the air to settle elsewhere and spread the mold.  These airborne spores are what most experts believe trigger negative physical reactions in some people.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE REACTS TO MOLD?

Because molds are often hidden, symptoms related to mold sensitivity may appear to be other types of illnesses before they are correctly diagnosed.  Most mold reactions are allergic in nature.  This means that the body produces chemicals to fight off what it sees as an invader when mold spores are breathed in or land on the skin.  Common symptoms include:

• Wheezing or coughing.  Those with asthma seem to be particularly sensitive to mold.  Breathing in loose spores, which are invisible in the air, can lead to an asthma attack or chronic breathing difficulties.
• Skin rash.  Skin rashes are another common reaction to the presence of mold spores that land on the skin.  These rashes can resemble a number of common skin issues such as dermatitis or ringworm, when in fact they are caused by mold.
• Hay fever symptoms.  Many symptoms associated with allergic reaction to mold exposure are also present in “hay fever,” such as red, itchy or watery eyes, runny nose or persistent sore throat and hoarseness.

​If you believe that you or your family are suffering from mold exposure, contact J&M Keystone immediately.  We can assess the mold issue in your home and help you devise a plan to remove it permanently.