Almost every home has what it takes for mold to grow - water, food and proper temperature. If apart from this there are some dark humid corners in a house, mold will surely find its way to them.

This uninvited guest can inhabit your home and possessions and completely ruin some parts of them. However, the bigger problem here is that mold is not only harmful to your furniture, but it can also have many negative effects on the health of you and your family.

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Who is at a bigger risk from mold?

Although there are people who will not have any reactions to mold, the majority of us will surely experience at least some. This is especially true for those of us who are genetically susceptible to mold allergies.

Moreover, there are some groups of people whose organisms are already weak, and therefore will be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of mold, such as:

• Infants and small children
• Asthmatics
• Elderly
• People with compromised immune systems

That being said, it is necessary to recognize whether there is mold around your home. And what’s more important, whether and in what ways it affects your family - especially the little ones.

How to recognize that your kid has mold-related health problems?

Mold, and especially the notorious toxigenic kind of it, known as black mold can have many adverse health effects on children. The symptoms at the beginning might appear to be quite mild, but increase over time and lead to very serious health conditions.

Here are some symptoms that can seem like a cold or hay fever, but can actually be mold related:

• Nose congestion
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Nail and skin infections

Can mold be related to asthma in children?

Recent studies have confirmed a strong link between black mold and the onset of asthma in early childhood. Moreover, mold can worsen symptoms of already declared asthmatics.  

Therefore, it is of vital importance to keep children away from this toxic fungus. Regular air quality testing, mold testing, and inspections are something that is a must for a family with children.

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What to do if your kid has some mold-related health problems?

If you recognize any aforementioned signs in your kid, the first thing to do is consult a doctor to determine whether your kid suffers from mold allergies or something else so they can prescribe the adequate therapy.  

Secondly, you ought to do some mold inspections and testing in your living environment. The smartest thing you can is have professional service do this for you, as tackling mold without the proper knowledge and equipment can be pretty dangerous.

And finally, once your home has been freed from mold you should make an effort to keep it that way by applying mold prevention methods.

To prevent mold allergies in the future, you should:

• Use the AC and exhaust fans
• Install a dehumidifier
• Frequently clean your floors, ceilings and the house, in general
• Ventilate your living space by regularly opening the windows

If, despite all this mold still attacks you and your family, don’t fight it on your own, but remember to call people who are qualified and trained for that.