Mold and mildew, found everywhere in the environment, are both fungi that need to be in moist areas to grow. Areas that are dark and have poor air quality can also contain mold and mildew. These fungi will eventually damage the surfaces they grow on by spreading seeds or spores. These spores can enter the air and be inhaled, or come into contact with your skin. While not always harmful, inhaling or touching mold or mildew can cause both minor and serious symptoms in some people. Breathing in too much mold or mildew can cause allergies. In severe cases, it can also contribute to the development of asthma. These conditions can cause watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, nausea, fatigue, headaches and trouble breathing. Asthma or prior allergies before exposure can make these symptoms worse. Symptoms will vary -- some people are more sensitive to mold than others. If mold or mildew is inhaled or contacts the skin, rashes or dermatitis can occur. Mold exposure can lead to burning sensations in the skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Athlete's foot and yeast infections are other possible complications. Sensitivity to mold exposure can increase over time and with repeated exposure. Reactions can occur whether the mold spores are living or dead. Certain molds produce substances called mycotoxins. These substances grow outdoors on grains and in agricultural areas. In these environments, they feed on dead plants and other organic waste materials, preventing them from accumulating. car ac repair myrtle beachHowever, mycotoxins may also be present indoors, in buildings that have been damaged by moisture, such as leaking pipes or poorly-controlled humidity. rv ac units 15000 btuWhile the health effects of exposure are still not well understood, it is possible that mycotoxins may cause cancer, liver damage and nervous system damage. slimline ac units

They may also suppress immune system activity. Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per weekThe IP address used for your Internet connection is part of a subnet that has been blocked from access to PubMed Central. Addresses across the entire subnet were used to download content in bulk, in violation of the terms of the PMC Copyright Notice. Use of PMC is free, but must comply with the terms of the Copyright Notice on the PMC site. For additional information, or to request that your IP address be unblocked, For requests to be unblocked, you must include all of the information in the box above in your message. You are hereHome » Allergies » Types of Allergies Get ReliefFind an Allergist Mold is a fungus that often looks like fuzzy spots of different colors, like green, gray or black.

It spreads through tiny spores (cells) that float through the air. Mold can be inside or outside. If mold grows inside your home, it may cause health problems for your baby. How can mold affect your baby’s health? Mold affects some babies more than others. If your baby lives somewhere with a lot of mold, he's more likely than other babies to have allergies, asthma and other health problems. An allergy is a reaction to something you touch, eat or breathe in that makes you sneeze, itch, get a rash or have trouble breathing. Asthma is a health condition that affects airways and can cause breathing problems. Breathing in or touching mold can cause: A stuffy or runny nose and sneezing Red or itchy eyes If your baby has these signs and symptoms often, she may be exposed to mold. Talk to her health care provider about how you can keep your baby safe from mold. Where does mold grow in your home? Mold can grow anywhere, but it grows best in places that are warm, damp and humid.

In your home, you may find mold in: The kitchen, basement and bathrooms Air conditioners and humidifiers How can you prevent mold? The best way to control mold is to control moisture. It’s impossible to prevent all mold growth, but doing these things can help prevent mold from growing in your home: Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Clean and dry your home within 24 to 48 hours after flooding. Remove and replace carpets, fabrics and upholstery that can’t be dried quickly. Make sure your home gets good air flow, especially in the kitchen, laundry area and bathrooms. In the kitchen and bathrooms, use exhaust fans or open a window to help keep the air dry. Be sure the clothes dryer vents outside . If you see moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes, dry it quickly. Open windows or use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to keep the air dry, especially in damp spaces like the basement. Clean and repair roof gutters on your roof.

Try to make the ground slope away from your home so water doesn't come in or pool up around around the foundation. Before painting or caulking, clean and dry moldy areas. Paint doesn't always stick to mold. If you paint a surface that has mold on it, the paint may later peel. How can you clean (remove) mold? If you can see or smell mold, clean it up. If the moldy area is small (less than 3 feet by 3 feet), you can probably clean it up yourself. If the moldy area is larger, you may want to hire a professional to clean it up. To clean small areas of mold from surfaces like walls and window frames, wear gloves and use one of these: A mixture of bleach and water. Use 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water. Don’t mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Cleaning products that kill mold. You can buy these at hardware and grocery stores. Do you need to have your home tested for mold? If you can see mold in your home, the best thing you can do is remove it.