Although some allergies are a minor annoyance, serve allergies can interrupt your life. There are a wide variety of things, both natural and man-made, that may cause allergies. Among these are mold, which can cause severe allergies even in individuals that normally don’t have allergies. Common signs include dry eyes, itchy skin and congestion. In some cases, mold may cause frequent or severe headaches or even respiratory conditions. If you have frequent mold allergy symptoms, it might be a sign you have mold in your home. We look at the common symptoms as well as how to determine if you have mold in your home.
Allergy Symptoms That May Mean Mold In Your Home
Unfortunately, most allergies cause many of the same symptoms. This makes it difficult to determine the cause based on just the way you feel.
- Dry, Itchy, Red or Watery Eyes
- Congestion, Runny Nose or Frequent Sneezes
- Scratchy Throat or Coughing
- Wheezing or Trouble Breathing
- Itchy Skin, Rashes or Hives
- Swollen Lips, Eyes or Tongue
Again, these symptoms are common with most allergies. However, mold might be the cause if you develop several of these allergy symptoms over a short period of time. They are often worse when you wake up or after coming home.
Even if you have diagnosed allergies, mold could cause them to get worse. Contact your doctor if your symptoms change suddenly or seem more severe than normal. Additionally, follow up if your medication seems less effective than normal.
What To Do If You Think Your Allergy Symptoms Are Caused By Mold
If you’ve had a sudden change in your allergy symptoms, there are ways to determine if mold is the cause. First, look for mold in your home. Start with obvious places like the kitchen, bathroom and basement.
Mold is a symptom of a water problem, so look for small leaks or areas where condensation forms. Check under sinks, around bathtubs and anywhere water collects. Make sure you move boxes and containers for mold growing under them.
Then look for stains, discoloration and peeling paint that could indicate mold in walls. Peel back carpeting to look for black or green stains.
When To Get A Mold Inspection
Aside from allergies, other symptoms of mold are standing water, humidity, condensation and musty smells. If you notice any of these but cannot see mold, consider a mold inspection.
A mold inspector will check your home for leaks, moisture and other issues that can cause mold. The process includes both visual inspection and mold tests. They may also put cameras into the walls to ensure your home is safe.
When You Need Mold Removal
If you see visible mold or it was found during an inspection, you need to remove it. Allowing mold to grow will only make your allergy symptoms worse, plus it will damage your home.
Mold breaks down materials and can weaken the structure of your home. Even if you clean it was bleach, it can live deep inside most materials. Plus, it’s the water that is the problem. If you don’t fix the water issue, the mold will return.
The Mold Removal Process
For small areas of mold, you can do the removal and cleanup yourself. If the mold is thick or covers more than 10 square feet, you should hire a mold remediation company. In either case, the mold removal process is basically the same.
- Find And Repair The Water Issue – Locate the source of water that caused the mold and make repairs. Then thoroughly dry the area.
- Remove Damaged And Contaminated Materials – Dispose of materials that are damaged or contaminated with mold to prevent it from returning.
- Disinfect And Deodorize The Area – Clean and disinfect the area to kill any remaining mold. Deodorize to remove and prevent smells.
- Rebuild Your Home – Rebuild the area that was affected by mold, including installing carpeting, walls and cabinets.
If you have mold allergy symptoms or see mold in your home, our restoration specialists are here to cleanup the damage. Call 1-888-443-3110 now for a free estimate on mold removal services.
