Allergy To Mold

The Importance Of Early Detection, Prevention Of Mold Exposure

FIRST PERSON | As reported by Newswise, children who are exposed to mold in their homes are more likely to develop asthma. In a study published in the August issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), infants who are raised in homes that contain mold are three times more likely to develop asthma by the age of 7.

While genetics does play a role in the development of asthma, Tina Reponen, Ph.D., a professor of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati, insists that an exposure to mold at an early age plays a "critical role in childhood asthma development."

With this recent finding on mold-related asthma, it is important for parents to learn the symptoms of mold exposure so any possible mold infestation in the home can be eradicated.

What are the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?

According to moldsymptoms.org, if mold spores are inhaled, the mold can continue to grow in the body, rendering the infected person extremely ill. In addition to causing asthma, mold can cause lung disease, cancer and death. The site lists the following as the most common symptoms of short-term mold exposure:

* sneezing

* itchy skin

* redness and skin irritation

* watery eyes

* itching eyes

* headaches

Symptoms of long-term mold exposure include:

* constant headaches

* nose bleeds

* incessant fatigue

* breathing disorders or asthma attacks

* coughing up blood or black debris

* nausea

* vomiting

* loss of appetite

* weight loss

* hair loss

* skin rashes

* open sores on skin

* short-term memory loss

* neurological or nervous disorders

* sexual dysfunction

* swollen glands in the neck or armpit

* ear infections and pain

* chronic sinus infections

* chronic bronchitis

* muscle and joint pain

If a person is exposed to mold for an extended period of time, they can develop blindness, brain damage, long-term memory loss, bleeding lungs, cancer, and can even die as a result.

If you or someone in your household is experiencing any of the previous symptoms, mold could be the cause. Mold detection kits can be purchased at most home improvement stores, but must be used exactly as directed in order to properly detect mold in the home.

If you find obvious mold in your home, you must take precautions when removing it. Evacuate other members of your household, wear a respirator, use diluted bleach to clean the mold (if applicable), or remove infected items and dispose of them in safe, designated areas.

My mother recently died from lung cancer at the age of 52 and I firmly believe that an exposure to mold played a key role in her death; my mother spent several weeks cleaning out her father's basement, which was infested with black mold. This exposure occurred just over a year before her death and she did not wear a respirator or take the necessary precautions when dealing with the mold.

Not only can mold cause asthma in children, it can be deadly; it's not an issue to take lightly. By Ruqaiyya Noor - Ruqaiyya is a Senior English education major at Marshall University, and writes for Yahoo News and Associated Content. She enjoys theology and activism, scholarly writing, and research. She is currently work...  

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