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How Does Mould Affect Your Health?

Mould is a type of fungi that grows best in damp and poorly ventilated areas that reproduces by making spores. Microscopic mould spores are too tiny to see and they are very light which can make them very easy to be inhaled, especially when blown from your air conditioner. Mould spores can irritate and inflame the airway and lungs, causing;
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Sinusitis
  • Bronchitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Asthma attacks
  • Other respiratory problems

Common mould symptoms can also be;

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Eye, nose, throat and skin irritation
  • Dizziness and nausea
  • Sinus congestion
  • Coughing and sneezing

Any prolonged exposure to high levels of mould can reduce your lung function and cause chronic health problems such as asthma. Mould can also trigger allergic reactions. Not everyone is allergic to mould, but it is a common allergen. Allergic reactions to mould may include respiratory symptoms as well as an itchy rash or hives. In severe cases, it can cause the throat to swell, making breathing difficult. In the worst cases, this can be life-threatening.

Some forms of mould produce toxic substances called mycotoxins, exposure to this can cause numerous health problems. Black mould or also known as toxic mould has been linked to health problems ranging from respiratory infections to eye infections, from joint pain to fatigue, from depression to bleeding in the lungs. Having mould anywhere in your home can make you sick and having mould in your air conditioning unit is particularly likely to cause illness because every time you turn on your air conditioner, mould spores are blown out into the air, where they are easily inhaled by you and your family.