Mould often grows on damp surfaces and in areas where people congregate, such as bathrooms and kitchens. In addition, mould can cause serious health problems such as:
Allergic reactions:
People with allergies are prone to allergic reactions, including itching, sneezing and coughing. Mould allergy is not as severe as other types of moulds, but it can still cause symptoms such as rashes, shortness of breath, or asthma attacks.
Breathing problems:
Asthma and emphysema are conditions that may cause trouble breathing when exposed to spores from mould. These spores are also harmful when they become suspended in the air and cause the surrounding area to be smoky or hazy. In addition, some people can experience a burning sensation in their throats when they breathe in these spores. As a result, individuals may experience difficulty breathing in severe cases and a heightened risk of developing lung diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia.
Asthma attacks:
People with asthma can have a severe allergic reaction to the spores released from the mould. Therefore, they should not go into their basements if they have had a previous asthma attack caused by mould or have family members or pets that have had asthma attacks.
Eye irritation:
The tiny dust particles found in mould spores can also irritate the eyes.
Nervous system:
Repeated exposure to high levels of airborne moulds can cause nervous system problems. These symptoms include headaches, lightheadedness and nausea. Investigations have shown that people who live in homes with excessive dampness and mould over long periods were more likely to experience these symptoms.
Respiratory Infections:
Mould can cause infections and aggravate existing respiratory conditions.
The most common health problems caused by spores are allergic reactions (including runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sinusitis, and eye irritation) and respiratory problems. People with allergies to moulds will usually react when they inhale the spores. These people may develop a fungal infection inside their lungs in severe cases.
Generally speaking, mould spores are everywhere, but they can only grow and spread when food and a host are available. Mould needs a surface to grow on, water to cause damage, and food (like wood) to survive and spread.