Tag: Mold Allergies

Mold and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)

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We all know mold can be damaging to our homes. But what happens if we inhale it? After all, mold is a type of fungus, and fungus can be full of bacteria and contaminants that would be dangerous to inhale. So, it’s not uncommon to wonder the possible effects of breathing in mold.

However, to answer this question, we must first find the correlation between mold and your IAQ (indoor air quality). The experts at RestoPros have been helping Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners deal with the effects of mold for years; read below for our thoughts on how to approach spores in the air.

Can Mold Affect Your IAQ?

When mold has infested your home, it’s next objective is to reproduce. This is done by spawning mold spores that then travel through the air to find a new home. Once they’ve found a suitable place to grow, they attach themselves to the surface and begin “planting” new mold. With these spores traveling through the air, this creates a possible correlation between mold and IAQ.

So, can these mold spores affect your IAQ? The answer depends on amount of mold in your home. In small amounts, mold spores generally won’t have any effect on your IAQ, provided you clean it immediately.  The larger the infestation however, the more spores are produced. And with an abundance of spores in the air, your IAQ can be affected negatively.

This is due to the confined space of your home. Generally, mold spores don’t affect people as much outdoors. But within a tighter enclosure such as your home however, the allergens and irritants in the spores have a greater probability of contact. This can affect your IAQ, and trigger allergy symptoms as well as leading to sickness.

Spores aren’t the only way mold can affect you, however. Other molds, such as black mold, also produce mycotoxins. These are toxic substances that can also cause allergy triggers and sickness. But with the vast types of mold that can grow in your home, it would be useless to try and identify black mold. Therefore, it’s important to treat all mold the same.

What are the Effects of Breathing In Mold?

So, what happens if you inhale these mold spores or mycotoxins? Most of the time, it won’t be anything severe. You may experience allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, sinus headache, or other types of congestion.

However, these symptoms may increase in severity for those with weaker immune systems or an allergy to mold. Mold can be devasting if you have a condition such as a lung disease, as inhaling it can lead to a serious infection. Mold can also trigger asthma symptoms to those who suffer from the condition. Additionally, if you’re allergic to mold, the original symptoms can exacerbate. Therefore, it’s best for people with existing respiratory problems, weaker immune systems, and mold allergies to stay away from mold as much as possible.

It is important you know the correlation between mold and IAQ, as well as the effects of breathing mold. And if you have discovered mold infesting your home, contact RestoPros immediately. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 for affordable mold remediation services from Dallas/Ft. Worth’s leading experts.

Mold Allergy Prevention: Protecting Your Home and Household

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Feel like you’re sneezing more than usual? Coughing in the middle of the night? The cause may be more than the weather! If you are looking for one more reason to hate mold, you’ve come to the right place. Mold growth does more than damage your home – it can greatly compromise your health. What you may not notice is the frequency of which mold can impact your health, especially as we leave winter. With spring being right around the corner, Dallas/Ft. Worth homes are at a greater risk of cultivating mold. The experts at RestoPros are here with tips to help identify and treat mold-related allergies.

What Mold Causes Allergies?

Before we continue, we must express that mold is not one specific substance. In fact, it is an umbrella term for many different types of fungi. Some types of mold are relatively harmless (albeit still a nuisance), while others possess allergy-causing effects. Black mold is a good example of a sickness-causing mold and is a known culprit for allergies in the home. Regardless, hundreds of different types of mold can exist in the same area, meaning all mold growth has a chance of causing allergies. But how exactly does it give this effect?

How Does Mold Cause Allergies?

The main goal of mold is to reproduce, but unlike plants, mold does not possess seeds of any kind. Instead, mold produces spores that travel through the air to find their new home. This is one way to cause allergies, as those with a sensitivity to these spores can experience runny noses, irritating eyes, and chronic cough. Mold spores are a known type of aeroallergens.

Spores are not the only way however, as with variations such as black mold, there is the substance known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by certain types of mold that travel through the air and cause symptoms of allergies. Although earlier we have stated that no scientific conclusion has been made on the actual severity of black mold, symptoms of allergies and sickness are still present from mycotoxins.

The more obvious cause of allergies from mold can also come from general contamination. If you happen to encounter mold via touching or inhaling, then this can cause symptoms of allergies. Mold holds bacteria and pathogens, and while some of them may not be airborne, touching them can give off the same effect.

Is Mold in my Home?

Although allergies can signify mold growth in your home, that’s not the only indication. Here are some additional signs that mold is present in your home.

  • Musty and Lingering Smells
  • Randomly Appearing Stains
  • Moisture Build-Up
  • Roof Leakage
  • Trash Build-Up
  • Fungus Around Your Home
  • Previous Flooding

If you have noticed mold in your home, contact RestoPros immediately for mold remediation services.

Preventing Mold?

There are many ways to prevent mold in your home and stop the runny nose from ruining your day. Protect your home from mold by using these tips below!

Although we can’t stress enough the importance of mold prevention, we must also advise you on what to do when mold is present in your home.

If you do discover mold, you must contact a mold-removal professional. Mold grows at a rapid rate, and what may seem like a small stain can lead to severe damage to your home, as well as causing sickness. If your home is infected with mold, contact RestoPros immediately. Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners must be ready to restore their home to a safe environment, and our mold remediation services provide the means to accomplish this at an affordable rate. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment with your mold-restoration experts.

 

 

Baby Safety Month

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September is Baby Safety Month and RestoPros wants to make sure that you keep your child safe from mold, mildew and other potential toxins. Certain kinds of household mold can cause illness. When this happens, most otherwise healthy people can get over it. But those who have weaker immune systems, including the elderly, children and babies, are more susceptible to negative long-term effects. According to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Infants are particularly affected by all types of mold and, when exposed, can suffer serious illnesses. The experts at RestoPros have come up with a list of The experts at RestoPros have come up with a list of symptoms to watch out for – and places to check for hidden mold.

Common Mold Allergies

Common mold can trigger allergic reactions and allergic rhinitis. There are a variety of common types of mold that can be found in homes across the U.S. Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium are not generally harmful. Most households live with them and never experience any health problems. However, infants are especially sensitive to these common types of mold and can develop severe health problems as a result. Babies with allergies might be particularly sensitive to mold, but infants who are otherwise healthy can also experience an allergic reaction. If your infant has mold allergies, you might see these signs:

  • Sneezing
  • Stuffy/Runny Nose
  • Sore Throat
  • Itchy, Runny or Bloodshot Eyes
  • Respiratory Illness (Caused by Black Mold and can Include Pneumonia)

Toxigenic Mold

More severe health reactions are found with the mold categories: Fusarium, Stachybotrys and Trichoderma. Infants exposed to these mold types might exhibit these signs:

  • Acute Vomiting
  • Severe Diarrhea
  • Asthma Attacks

MVOCs

Some molds can generate Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs). Formed from fungal metabolism, these molds can make people very sick, especially infants. MOVCs are directly discharged into the air and can cause a variety of respiratory problems and other negative symptoms. If your baby is experiencing severe upper respiratory problems, this could be the trigger. Talk to your pediatrician about MVOCs and then have a mold assessment performed if this is a concern.

Mold Check

If you feel that mold in your home might be affecting the health of your infant, there are several places that you should check for an outbreak. Mold is generally connected to a leak or a place that is consistently wet or humid.

  • Does the nursery have a leak in the ceiling or a plumbing leak coming through the wall?
  • Are there baby toys that are usually damp from being put inside a mouth? Toys that stay damp, or have a small opening that might allow liquid inside, can easily develop mold.
  • Are there signs of mold in the bathroom? The bathroom is usually the first place that common mold types will surface. Make sure that the bathtub and sink areas are free from any signs of mold or mildew.
  • Make sure that baby bottles are properly sanitized. Mold can quickly grow in a closed bottle that has been left out for a few days.
  • Wet clothes and cloth diapers need to be washed immediately. Cloth can develop mold, which is nearly impossible to clean once it has infiltrated fabric.
  • Carpets, rugs and curtains in the nursery can very easily develop mold if left wet. Babies and toddlers are messy; urine, vomit and saliva can sometimes vanish into the surroundings. Make sure to clean up (and dry) every wet mess as soon as it is discovered.
  • Check the nursery air vents for mold – as well as the vents throughout the home. A home’s ventilation system is an ideal place for mold to grow and flourish.

If you have a baby in the house with any of the symptoms mentioned above, talk with your pediatrician about potential triggers. If mold might be the cause, investigate the common problem areas (and causes). RestoPros can help if you have found an outbreak and need professional assistance. We can help with all mold your remediation needs. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an assessment today!

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Why are Allergies Worse in the Fall?

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Why are Allergies Worse in the Fall?People deal with allergies and allergy-like symptoms year-round.  But for many of us, Fall is when the harshest allergies seem to make their strongest attack.  When certain agents (pollen, dander, mold spores, etc) are inhaled or come into contact with the skin, the body can produce histamines which react in the form of swelling, rashes, or inflammation in the sinuses (among other symptoms).  Histamine blocking medicines are usually called upon to stop this, but there are other ways to deal with your fall allergies, staying away from allergens in the first place.

Source of Fall Allergies

The worst allergies are triggered by a plant commonly known as ragweed.  Pollen from any plant can induce an allergic reaction or even a simple sneezing fit, but ragweed is extremely potent.  Its pollen can travel for hundreds of miles and is spread across large portions of the nation.  If it’s early fall and you’re having sinus trouble, ragweed is a likely suspect.

But ragweed and pollinating trees are not the only source of mild to severe allergies in the fall.  Mold spores, which can lodge themselves in sinus passages or your lungs, are another source of allergic reactions, sinus irritation, and breathing difficulty during the fall.  These spores aren’t just from mold growing in your home either.  There’s an increase in mold spores during the fall due to fallen leaves, dead grass, and other decaying vegetation.

Mold is part of the Earth’s natural process for breaking down biomass.  As plants enter their dormancy period, large quantities of vegetation are left to be broken down by microbes and mold.  That fancy landscaping job you have around your home may be great during the spring and summer, but during the fall you’re likely to run into allergy issues from pollen and mold spores.

How to Fight Mold Allergens

In short, keep mold spores outside.  Taking a proactive approach to dealing with spores is the best way to prevent allergy attacks throughout the fall season.

  • Remove jackets as soon as you enter the home to keep from tracking mold spores throughout the home
  • Wear a mask while raking leaves, mowing the lawn, or doing yard work (and change clothes as soon as you’re done)
  • Have a HEPA filter installed in your home to filter out the worst contaminants
  • Vacuum floors, upholstery, and curtains regularly during the fall
  • Watch the weather for high pollen and mold counts, and keep the windows closed on high-count days
  • Air out your home on days when the pollen and mold count is low
  • Use a dehumidifier to dry out the air, limiting potential mold growth

If you’ve tried all of these things, then there’s a chance the problem is hiding somewhere inside your home.  Take a look around for common trouble spots or signs of places mold could be hiding.  If you haven’t found anything and are still worried that there may be an infestation, call a professional to inspect your home.  Mold is no joke.  It’s hazardous to your health and can lead to damages that are expensive to repair if left unchecked.  Even a small infestation can be a huge irritation.  It’s better to spend a little to find a small infestation than to wait until the damage becomes visible and expensive.

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