Hidden Mold And Health Problems
If you've been sick with headaches, breathing problems, or flu-like symptoms, and you can't pinpoint the cause, then you may want to look at household mold as a possible source. Long-term exposure to mold can cause serious health problems and the longer you are exposed, the worse your symptoms may get. Not all mold can easily be seen and your home may have a mold problem without you even knowing. Here are some signs that your health may have been impacted by hidden mold, and how you can track down the source of the problem.
Your symptoms came on fairly suddenly:
If your symptoms began soon after a flood, leak or high-humidity period, then you may have mold growing in your home. In some people, the symptoms come on more gradually depending on their sensitivity of mold and the amount of mold accumulating. However, if you've found that you were mostly fine before that big storm or flood, and then you weren't not long afterward, then check your home for mold.
Your symptoms get better when you stay away:
You may notice that when you're away at work, or on a long trip, that your symptoms improve, but when you come home, the problems come back. Mold can also infiltrate one room and not be in the other rooms. It can be present in laundry and bedding as well. Try staying in different rooms or using different bedding to see if that makes a difference. Keep track of how you felt before and after the changes. If you see a big enough difference, then mold may be a culprit.
Tracking the source:
Mold often presents itself in innocuous ways. For example, your baseboards may appear dirty with tiny spots, but those spots may be mold growing from the inside-out. Mold can affect books and papers and a wet book can get moldy fairly fast if not properly dried. There may be hidden mold behind cabinets and closets as well. In some cases, the mold may be visible in small amounts in your bathroom, and it's possible that even a little bit of this mold may be affecting your symptoms depending on your sensitivity.
Mold can have a bad effect on human health and has been blamed for everything from migraines to rheumatoid arthritis. A professional can track down and find mold that is behind the walls or in those hidden places. It's best to have them deal with the problem if you're sensitive. Then, you can get back to enjoying your home or room without feeling sick. For more information, contact companies like Coastal Environmental Compliance LLC.