Month: June 2020

Natural Remedies for Mold Allergies

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Natural Remedies for Mold Allergies

Mold is fairly easy to spot in common spaces, and usually, where there’s water damage, there’s also mold. However, mold can also hide inside the walls, in the attic, and places that aren’t immediately accessible. Even still they can have a big impact on your day-to-day life, specifically when it comes to your health. Your indoor allergy symptoms may have been your first clue that you have mold in your house. To keep you from suffering in your own home, here are some natural remedies for mold allergies.

 

Neti Pot

 

A runny nose and nasal congestion are some of the mold allergy symptoms. Wiping and blowing your nose all day can rub it raw, and antihistamines can leave you feeling groggy. Instead, you might consider flushing your nasal passage, removing the germs and debris that lead to discomfort during allergy attacks.

 

A Neti pot works great for this: Just follow the instructions on the packaging to set it up, then pour water from the pot into one nostril, letting the stream run out of your other nostril. Temporary discomfort can bring you a lot of relief.

 

Dust Masks

 

Even if you don’t physically touch more, the spores that float around in the air can invade your airway. Ultimately, it’s these spores, breathed in, that cause your allergies. Having the mold removed is the best way to treat your mold allergies. Until you’re able to have the mold professionally removed from your home, however, a dust mask can bring you some relief from your allergy symptoms.

 

House Plants

 

What could possibly be more natural than a plant? The most natural remedy for mold allergies is indoor plants. Not only do house plants make the air cleaner in general, but there are certain types that can even fight against mold. These are the best indoor plants for mold prevention:

 

  • English Ivy
  • Peace Lily
  • Palm Plants
  • Snake Plant

 

Take Supplements

 

If you don’t trust medications, vitamin supplements can be a great, natural remedy for mold allergies. Specific vitamins can be especially beneficial in fighting your allergy symptoms. When you buy supplements, make sure they include these vitamins for best results:

 

  • Bioflavonoids
  • Flaxseed Oil
  • Probiotics
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Zinc

 

Professional Mold Remediation

 

The above natural remedies for mold allergies work great for treating the symptoms, but ultimately, the problem will persist until the mold is removed from your home. Because contact with mold is dangerous, you should never try to clean or remove mold yourself. Contact a mold remediation specialist at RestoPros to have your mold professionally cleaned and treated at the root to keep it from coming back.

 

Have questions? We’ve got answers. Call now to speak with one of our friendly representatives. They’ll put your mind at ease. From there, they’ll schedule an appointment for mold treatment at a time that works best for you. Delay any longer! Keep yourself, your family, and your home healthy by calling RestoPros now!

The History of Mold (Mold Exposure and Increased Regulations)

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History of Mold

The first case of mold dates back to 1837, where it was sampled from wallpaper in a house in Prague. It wasn’t until the early 1900s, however, that people started to monitor the health effects of mold. Every year, we’re learning new things to mold, thanks to researchers. We’re learning about all the ways it can impact humans and how to best treat it. Read our summarized history of mold to learn about mold exposure and increased regulations.

 

The History of Mold

 

History of Mold Exposure and Health Effects

 

There’s a correlation between home-related toxicities like mold, and illnesses like Pontiac fever and pneumonia. In the early 1980s, the serious side effects of mold became more widely known through publications in journals like Annals of Allergies, Asthma & Immunology, which was important as, later that decade, publications announced that mold could grow in all building types including residences.

 

In 1993, the National Academy of Sciences declares that, while not all molds are equally dangerous, all species of mold cause allergic reactions. However, the more dangerous ones were certainly also worth noting, as in the same year, a few cases of infant mortality were linked to mold exposure in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

History of Increased Regulations for Mold

 

In the 1990s, regulations for dealing with mold began to change: Water damage cases needed to be addressed within 24 hours to reduce the spread of mold. Mold needed to be treated using the same methods for asbestos.

 

Workers in the field were advised to check wall interiors for mold, remove water-damaged drywall, and then treat mold at the root. Without treatment that will keep it from growing, “cleaning” the mold or wiping it away will not be a long-term solution and may even cause more damage.

 

While not all mold strains are toxic, all mold strains within a home should be treated and removed as quickly as possible to reduce allergic reactions and respiratory-related illnesses.

 

See the full timeline for the history of mold here.

 

Treat Mold in Your Home Right Away

 

Over a century of research has shown that mold, no matter the strain, no matter the amount, can still lead to serious health effects. That’s why it’s important to treat mold right away, as soon as you recognize the signs. You’ll recognize mold when you see it, but since mold may be lurking and spreading within your wall cavities, it may not be so easy to spot.

 

Instead, consider your own health: Are you having allergies while you’re indoors? Are you wheezing? Does it feel hard to take a deep breath? First and foremost, consult with a doctor to get an expert diagnosis and to have your symptoms treated. Second, call a mold remediation specialist to have your home inspected for mold right away.

 

The experts at RestoPros are trained to recognize, treat, and remove all signs of mold. They’re friendly and will work with you on your budgetary needs. Call today to learn about seasonal specials and discounts.

4 Signs Your Pet Has Been Exposed to Mold

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pet has been exposed to mold

When you became a pet owner, you probably had no idea how much you’d come to love your little fur baby, but now? It’s like your house wouldn’t be a home without them. That’s why you do everything you can to make sure they’re healthy, like buy them the best food, take them to the vet often, and keep them well-groomed. If your pet has been acting strange lately, you might be wondering if they’re having an allergic reaction to mold. Here are 4 signs your pet has been exposed to mold.

 

1.    Itchiness

 

If your pet has been itchier than usual, then it’s possible that they’ve been exposed to mold. The trouble is that lots of things can cause your pet to be itchy, so it can be difficult to narrow down the cause. It could be fleas, ticks, seasonal allergies, or a change in their diet. If you’ve checked your pet for pests and have taken them to the vet to treat their allergies, then it’s possible that they’ve been exposed to mold.

 

2.    Red Patches

 

Red patches are usually a symptom of itchiness but not always. Sometimes skin can become inflamed for other reasons. However, if there are patches of fur missing on your fur baby, then the redness is likely due to scratching. That doesn’t rule out mold as the cause though, as we’ve pointed out above. General inflammation could also be a sign your pet has been exposed to mold.

 

3.    Sneezing

 

Even if they’re not directly in contact with mold, your pets can still be negatively impacted by it. One of the most common allergic reactions is sneezing—nasal itchiness, congestion, and leakage. Again, this can be tricky to discern from other allergies, especially seasonal allergies, but here’s the best way to spot the difference: If your pet is sneezing inside more than they’re sneezing outside, that’s a sign your pet has been exposed to mold.

 

4.    Wheezing

 

The most troubling of all the mold allergy symptoms are the respiratory ones. Mold can cause lung scarring, making the very organs your pet uses to breathe to become less flexible, keeping your pet from taking in deep breaths. Before this occurs, thankfully, there are some warning signs, namely wheezing. If your pet is wheezing, it’s possible that you have mold in your home.

 

Signs of Mold in Your Home

 

Because all of the above symptoms could be tied to other causes, you should do two things before jumping to conclusions: First, take your pet to the vet. They’ll know how to treat the symptoms until you can determine the root of the problem. Second, you should see if there are other signs of mold in your home, like water damage, visible dark mold spots, or any of the above symptoms in your own body. If this yucky stuff in your home (where your pet also lives), then that’s a sure-fire sign your pet has been exposed to mold. Call RestoPros to have the mold expertly treated and removed.

4 Tips to Avoid Mold this Summer

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Avoid Mold this Summer

Things are a little different this summer. You’re not just worried about beating the heat. You’re also thinking about how to reduce the spread of germs. Even the slightest sniffle can make your heart race. You can save your heart the trouble by eliminating any possible allergens in your home, including mold. Here are 4 tips to avoid mold this summer.

 

1.    Reduce Indoor Humidity

 

Summer is the hottest season of the year, and with all that heat comes humidity, moisture, and condensation. Wetness, even at this degree, is a magnet for mold. Your best bet to avoid mold this summer is to reduce indoor humidity. You can get a dehumidifier to help you with this task, but you can also avoid doing these things during the hottest parts of the day:

 

  • Cooking
  • Washing Dishes
  • Showering
  • Drying Clothes

 

2.    Make Summer Cleaning the New Trend

 

Spring cleaning is so popular because winter makes your home pretty stuffy. However, your house needs your close attention in the summer too—especially if there are nooks you may have overlooked. For example: Did spring cleaning include going through your attic storage? If not, you’ll need to go up there and sift through everything because mold could be lurking there!

 

3.    Dry Off Completely

 

When kids are coming in from the swimming pool, they tend to overestimate their drying abilities. It’s amazing how much water they can track inside. Not only is this a tripping hazard, but it’s also a secret recipe for mold. Help the kids dry off completely when they come inside and clean up any chlorinated puddles they leave in their wake. You will also want to let their wet clothes dry outside before placing them in the dirty clothes hamper. Wet clothes in dark spaces are a breeding ground for mold. If you do not have a clothesline in your yard (what decade is this?), create a makeshift one with wire – or let the clothes rest on beach towels until they have dried in the sun.

 

4.    Spy Over Spilled Milk

 

A little spill isn’t worthy of tears, but it is worthy of your supervision. It’s great to have little ones clean up after themselves if they spill a drink, but you should trail behind them to see if they were thorough. If they spilled on the carpet or upholstery, you’ll need to soak up all the liquid. Any liquid that remains could cause mold. Keeping a close watch over the kiddos can help you avoid mold this summer.

 

Call RestoPros to Avoid Mold This Summer

 

The best way to ensure your home is allergen-free is to have a licensed mold remediation specialist inspect your house for signs of mold. At RestoPros, our team members are specially trained to detect and eradicate mold in your home. They’ll also offer extra tips for avoiding mold in the future. If you suspect you have mold, call our office to speak with one of our friendly representatives today. We’ll dispatch a specialist to your home at a time that is convenient for you.