A child’s health and safety are the number one priority for every parent. There are various instances in which a child may present unpleasant health conditions, and it is important to understand the root of those symptoms. Very often common symptoms are brushed off as the flu, seasonal allergies, or viral infections. However, when such symptoms linger for unusually long periods of time, the underlying cause of such symptoms may be mold toxicity.
Even though mold awareness has significantly increased in the last few years, it is crucial to keep a vigilant eye on your child’s health and disposition. If you suspect mold in your home, be sure to contact a professional team for immediate mold removal services. In this article, let’s explain how the presence of mold in your home can affect your children and the steps you can take to help rid your home of any mold.
Common Symptoms from Mold Exposure
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Respiratory Problems
Studies show that there is a strong correlation between living in a mold-affected area and the extent of detrimental respiratory symptoms in children. When young children inhale mold spores, they are likely to experience respiratory issues that may appear similar to the symptoms of basic seasonal allergies, including:
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Other flu-like symptoms
For children who suffer from asthma, inhaling mold-affected air can trigger more frequent asthma attacks and worsen any chronic lung disease. The biggest risk is from toxic black mold known as Stachybotrys Chartarum. This type of mold is known to be the most serious among the mold family. It can cause hemorrhagic pneumonia, thereby causing bleeding of the lung tissue.
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Neurological Symptoms
If children are exposed to toxic black mold, they may experience neurological problems as a result. Black mold produces trichothecene mycotoxins that kill neurons in the brain and weaken its functions, along with causing nervous disorders, irritability, and mood swings. The most common neurological symptoms of mold are as follows:
- Slowed reflexes
- Disorientation and confusion
- Dizziness
- Shortened attention span
- Shaking or trembling
- Headaches
- Memory problems and memory loss
- Numbness
- Depression and anxiety
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Vision Problems
When a child’s eye cells are in contact with the black mold mycotoxins, it may result in inflammations of the eyes and cause vision problems. Aside from these two common symptoms, other symptoms include:
- Watery eyes
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Blurry vision
- Eye soreness and inflammation
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Skin Irritation
Mold can easily enter the human body through the skin, and more easily through a child’s sensitive and delicate skin. When mold spores come into contact with a child’s skin, it may result in rashes, irritation, itchiness, etc.
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Gastrointestinal Conditions
When exposed to mold, a child may be affected by problems with their digestive tract. This can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Children may lose their appetite due to gastrointestinal problems. If you suspect that mold is the problem behind your child’s uneasiness, look for other mold symptoms such as a sore throat, rashes, or coughing.
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Other Mold Allergy Symptoms
Exposure to mold can lead to plenty of other health-related problems in children, some of which are:
- Hair loss
- Swollen eyelids
- Vomiting
- Chronic ear infections
- Achiness, joint pain, muscle pain, or chest pain
- Chronic fatigue or weakness
- Recurring flu-like symptoms, colds, and fever
The seriousness and the length of exposure time will determine the symptoms in every child. All children will react differently to the presence of mold, but the longer they are in contact with mold, the worse their symptoms will become.
What Should You Do When Your Child is Exposed to Mold?
A common sign of mold is the issue is consistency. If your child is suffering from any of the above issues on a regular and ongoing basis, then mold may be the probable cause. Try to accommodate your child in a mold-free household and see if they start feeling better. If you suspect that your child is not well due of mold, take them to a pediatrician immediately. Doctors will be able to run tests that will confirm the cause of your child’s symptoms.
The solution to a mold problem is simple: bring in a mold removal professional as soon as possible. One extremely reputable mold remediation company in Montreal area is IAQ Strategies. Their expert and highly skilled technicians will assess your house for mold and get to work immediately with the best remediation and removal plan for the situation. Sealing off parts of your home that are affected by mold will protect your home from airborne spores during the mold removal process. If you are noticing any of the above-mentioned symptoms in your child, be sure to call in for professional help immediately in order to keep you and children safe and healthy!
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