Mold does not only cause considerable damage to furniture, clothing and the structure of the house, so you should not underestimate the danger in terms of health. Here we explain the factors that cause a mold allergy and what precautions you can take to prevent the appearance of mold.
Health risks from mold
Mold can be anywhere. Mold fungi are a problem especially if they are in a large group and find good conditions for growth. Because they are present both externally and internally, allergy symptoms such as cough, runny nose and asthma also occur year-round in those affected. If the mold affects the respiratory tract, it can be even dangerous leading to serious allergies. In addition to the air we breathe, mold can also be absorbed by food, which will cause gastrointestinal ailments.
Approximately 9,000,000 people in Germany suffer from mold allergy – twice as many as from pollen allergy. The problem with a mold allergy is that it is recognized very late. This is because the symptoms are often associated with infections and breathing problems, and a runny nose can indicate a cold, for example. Or the symptoms are recognized as an allergic reaction but associated with other allergies. Therefore, pay close attention to symptoms such as cough and runny nose that could indicate an allergic reaction to mold.
However, if you suspect you have a mold allergy, you should see a doctor. An allergist can find out if you are actually allergic to mold, for example with a blood test. If necessary, the doctor can prescribe you a suitable treatment.
No place for mold: health comes first
To protect your health, you should not allow mold to spread in your home. This means minimizing the factors that favor the appearance of mold. Above all, this includes taking preventive measures. For example, you should empty the organic waste bin frequently and not leave it in the kitchen with food scraps for too long. The air conditioning system can also be a source for mold. Therefore, you should clean the air conditioning system regularly and carefully.
A bigger problem is if mold has already settled on furniture, joints or walls. Aside from structural defects, which usually need to be addressed with extensive renovation work, mold can be prevented in most cases with small but effective measures. So, you should check the humidity in your house regularly. Ideally, this is 40% to 60%. At a value higher than 70%, the risk of mold increases significantly. You can use a hygrometer to track the indoor air humidity. But don’t just pay attention to rooms like the bathroom or kitchen. These places really have a high level of humidity due to cooking or hot baths.
Mold will also find suitable conditions in the bedroom thanks to a perfect temperature of around 20 degrees and increased humidity. About 1 liter of water vapor is released by each person when he sleeps. In addition, you should ensure adequate air exchange in all rooms not threatened by mold. The best way to do this is with shock ventilation, that is, airing several times a day for 5-10 minutes with the window wide open. On the other hand, you should ventilate the basement permanently in winter and leave the windows closed in summer.
Conclusion: Mold allergies are rarely recognized directly, being more often confused with other types of allergies. If you discover mold in your home and you can’t explain the sudden cough and asthma, you should see a doctor to rule out a mold allergy. In order not to expose yourself to mold allergens and to reduce the risk of mold allergy, you should prevent the appearance of mold – for example, through optimal air humidity and effective ventilation of your home.
