Are Your Children suffering with Mold Allergies?

Mold allergies affect millions of individuals on a global scale, especially children.  Even so, adults are just as susceptible to them.  As most people know, mold is a type of fungus that thrives in warm, humid climates like we have in southern Florida.  And it can cause health distress to a great extent. Current clinical research has shown that 1 out of every 3 children has some type of allergy to mold.  So how can you tell if your son or daughter is that 1 out of every 3? Here are some of the signs and symptoms that your child may be allergic to mold:

Congestion and itchy nose – mold primarily affect the respiratory system and tract.  For those children with mold allergies, congestion and itchy noses are the common signs and symptoms.  When a child inhales the spores, it irritates the inside of the nose and causes an itchy feeling.  With prolonged exposure, the itchiness becomes severe and can be very uncomfortable.  Furthermore, congestion makes breathing difficult.  Even though the congestion may go away over time, it’s still a good idea to take your child to a pediatrician.

IPH or Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemorrhage – this is an extremely severe lung condition that children suffer with when they have a more severe allergy to mold.  The condition is characterized by acute bleeding in the lungs and can lead to respiratory distress if left untreated.  IPH often takes longer to manifest itself, so it may go unnoticed until late.  Because of this, it’s imperative to take your child in for regular check-ups if you suspect that you have a mold problem in your home.

Respiratory problems – when a child is exposed to mold spores, they often exhibit the same signs and symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.  The more common signs of respiratory issues attributed to mold allergies include irritated eyes, runny nose, and sneezing.  Coughing and throat irritation may also accompany those symptoms.  If respiratory problems attributed to mold allergies go untreated, the child’s condition can escalate to something more severe such as asthma and lung infections.  These not only pose a dangerous threat to the child; it can result in death in the more extreme cases.

If you doctor has already diagnosed mold related infections, it is time to take immediate action before the health issue becomes severe. What can you do to ensure that your child isn’t threatened by mold allergies? Speak with a mold inspector or remediation specialist about any problems you think are being caused by mold in your home.  For more information, you’re encouraged to call Florida Inspections Unlimited at 954-861-0666 or send us a message by clicking here. We are here to help you.