But more importantly, mold is bad for your family’s health. If you have a moldy basement,
you are at risk for sickness that affects your respiratory system
. These include coughs, asthma, nose and throat issues, and shortness of breath.
How do you know if mold is making you sick?
Symptoms of mold exposure may include
headache, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and fatigue
. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.
Can sleeping in a moldy basement make you sick?
Mold inside your house can make you certainly sick
, breathing in mold fragments or spores can inflame the air passages, creating a nasal blockage, wheezing, breast tightness, coughing, and throat inflammation.
Should I worry about mold in basement?
If you find water in your basement, you might wonder, “Can mold in the basement affect upstairs?” For most property owners, the answer is usually yes.
Mold can turn into a serious issue if you don’t deal with it correctly—and quickly
.
Will a dehumidifier help with mold?
Reduce Mold and Mildew
A dehumidifier is designed to reduce the moisture level in the air by extracting the excess water. By doing so,
dehumidifiers can help prevent the growth of mold and mildew
and improves the indoor air quality of your space.
How long does it take to get sick from mold exposure?
These symptoms usually first appear
2 to 9 hours after exposure
and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work.
How can I test myself for mold exposure?
Urine testing for mold
is one of the most popular ways to test for mold exposure, as elevated levels of uric acid and other organic acids may indicate exposure to mycotoxins. These tests should be performed in a sterile lab testing facility and the results analyzed by a trusted medical lab.
Can mold grow in your lungs?
It’s also possible for mold to form a ball in your lungs
. This condition is called aspergilloma when caused by an Aspergillus mold. The ball most often stays in your lungs but can lead to tissue damage. Symptoms commonly include shortness of breath, cough, or coughing up blood.
What does mold poisoning feel like?
Each person’s body is affected by mold toxicity in different ways. Some experience
constant migraines and headaches, shortness of breath, brain fog, fatigue or even depression
. Since symptoms differ from person to person, they may not be quickly associated with mold exposure.
Is it safe to stay in a house with mold?
Because of the risks that come with mold exposure,
it can be unsafe to sleep in a house with mold
, particularly in the affected areas because you put yourself at risk of mold allergies. This becomes especially concerning if you are sensitive to the mold.
Can you live in a house with mold?
Dangers of Mold Sneaking Into the Home
The CDC, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warns about the dangers of living with mold in the home:
Respiratory tract symptoms that include coughing, wheezing, and swelling of the throat
. Those who have asthma and allergy problems are especially at risk.
How do you detox your body from mold?
Sweating. Some people recommend
sweating, or using a sauna
, to support the process of mold detoxification. No research confirms that sweating can specifically help address the effects of mold. But a 2020 review suggests sweating does play an important role in your body’s natural detoxification process.
Can a basement make you sick?
Can you get sick from living in a basement?
Yes, you can get sick from living in a basement due to stagnant airflow and the buildup of moisture
. The air quality in your typical basements is deficient, which can cause you to become anywhere from slightly to gravely ill.
How much does it cost to remove mold from a basement?
The black mold removal cost of an unfinished basement can really vary. It could be
as little as $500 or as high as $4,000
depending on the scope and size – AKA how much mold is present and how much area it covers. If the attic and ducts are involved, the cost for those generally ranges from $2,000 to $6,000.
Why does mold grow in basements?
The usual cause of mold growth in basements is
a water problem, such as flooding or leaky pipes
. Condensation resulting from cold temperatures and high humidity is also another common cause of mold. The best way to deal with mold is to nip it in the bud and prevent it from spreading.
What is better for mold bleach or vinegar?
Bleach and vinegar can both kill mold, but
vinegar is much more effective for removing mold from porous materials
. This is because bleach only kills mold spores on the surface of affected materials. Vinegar will penetrate porous materials and kill the mold at the roots.
Can an air purifier help with mold?
An air purifier can also help in common places for mold in the home like a basement
. Though an air purifier can help long term for mold spores in the air, only physically cleaning up the mold and removing the moisture that allowed it to grow will solve a visible mold growth problem.
Why is mold growing on everything in my house?
Roof and foundation leaks, high interior humidity, overflowing washing machines and more severe forms of flooding are common sources of moisture and are what causes mold in a house
. Drywall backing, wallpaper, carpet backing, household dust and wood products are commonly attacked organic materials.
How can mold affect your health?
Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants
. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.
What health problems are caused by mold?
Exposure to a large number of mold spores may cause allergic symptoms such as
watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue
. Repeated exposure to mold can increase a person’s sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions.
Can mold in the house make you sick?
In some cases, mold in your home can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma
. Whether or not you’re allergic to molds, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. Here’s what you can do to combat mold problems, and take care of yourself and your home.
Can black mold affect your brain?
Inflammation: Mold spores act as irritants, which can trigger the body to mount an immune response. This can lead to inflammation throughout the body.
Inflammation in the brain can impair cognitive function, and in the case of chronic inflammation, this can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairment
.
How do you know if your house is toxic?
Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface
. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots. If you find mold with any of these qualities in your home, don’t get too close, and call a professional right away.
Can mold cause brain tumors?
Without effective management,
mold infections of the CNS carry poor prognoses, particularly in immunocompromised patients; such patients may present with isolated brain abscesses that simulate tumors of the CNS
.
Can mold cause heart problems?
Mold can cause a number of heart problems, including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), endocarditis (an infection of the lining of the heart), damage to the heart muscle and damage to the heart valves.
Can black mold cause long term health problems?
While exposure to toxic black mold may not directly cause death,
long term exposure can lead to irreversible damage to the organs, a weak immune system, and even brain damage
– all of which can ultimately lead to death.
