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Tag Archives: Allergies

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Relief From Springtime Mold Allergies

Almost everyone looks forward to spring. Except maybe for those who suffer from springtime allergies and especially, mold allergies.

As temperatures heat up, so does the increase in mold. Each morning as the sun sparkles off that dewy lawn, mold forms and spreads.

Next to high pollen levels, increased mold levels can make allergy sufferers downright miserable.

Find out what you can do to fight back against springtime mold.

More Mold in Spring

Because humidity levels rise right along with the temperature, it’s the perfect breeding ground for mold spores and lots of them.

Another problem with mold spores is that they tend to become airborne. When they do, they scatter everywhere including on and inside your home. Mold spores enter your home through doors, open windows, even from your shoes and clothes.

When mold spores settle in your home, they land on surfaces such as window sills and walls. Airborne mold spores can also end up getting sucked into your vents and then are distributed throughout your living spaces via your HVAC system.

Fighting Back Against Springtime Mold Allergies

Anyone who deals with springtime allergies knows just how hard it can be to find relief.

Here are some tips to help reduce the symptoms of mold-related allergies.

  • Check daily outdoor mold spore levels as reported by the National Allergy Bureau. When mold counts are high, plan to spend as much time indoors as possible.
  • Mask up when spending time in the yard. Chores like gardening or mowing the lawn can disturb resting mold spores and send them airborne.
  • Wash clothes and bedding to remove mold spores.
  • Take allergy medication for relief especially when spending more time outdoors.

Reducing Mold in Your Home

  • Clean hard surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen with vinegar to stop the spread of mold.
  • Using a high-efficiency HEPA filter, vacuum up dust, pollen, and mold spores often.
  • Run the AC and change HVAC filters more frequently to trap as many mold spores as possible.
  • Run a dehumidifier to reduce humidity throughout your home, especially in damp spaces like the basement.
  • Fix any leaky pipes or cracks in the foundation where water can get inside.
  • Keep the gutters clean as the wet debris inside is a perfect place for mold to grow.

Conclusion

Springtime mold allergies are nothing to sneeze at. Consider using one or more of our tips to provide some relief for your allergy symptoms.

For professional help to locate and get rid of the mold in and around your home, contact the mold remediation experts at RCS in Santa Rosa.

man thinking

Connecting the Dots Between Mold and Your Emotional Well Being

More than likely, you’ve experienced mood swings during an illness. When you don’t feel good, you’re not feeling your best either physically or emotionally.

Usually, it’s understood that if you aren’t feeling 100%, it’s temporary and your mood will get better as soon as you feel better physically.

But what if you are suffering from chronic emotional mood swings or issues and you’re not sure why?

It’s possible that exposure to toxic mold may be playing a part for a downturn in your emotional well-being.

Mold Toxicity Symptoms

You are probably familiar with some of the physical symptoms of mold exposure like watery eyes, a sore throat, sneezing and trouble breathing.

Along with the physical symptoms, exposure to toxic mold may also cause changes that affect your emotional well-being, too.

Symptoms from mold exposure vary by individual and the symptoms are just as unique as the person.

Here are some of the ways toxic mold can negatively affect your emotional well-being:

  • Mood Swings
  • Memory fog, focus, confusion
  • Insomnia, chronic fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Because other chronic conditions have similar symptoms, you should see a medical professional for a complete physical to rule out other serious illnesses.

Since mold produces spores which contain microscopic mycotoxins and when inhaled, not only cause obvious physical symptoms, but emotional/mental health symptoms as well.

Testing for Toxic Mold Exposure

At this time, how mold spores and mycotoxins affect the central nervous system and emotional health is extremely hard to determine. Individual symptoms and reactions to mold exposure can range from mild to severe and are varied.

Although there are no medical procedures to test specifically for toxic mold exposure, you are at higher risk if you have allergies, asthma, other respiratory conditions or suffer from a compromised immune system.

If you see visible mold or smell mold, you’ve more than likely been exposed. From there, you may be suffering from the effects of breathing in mold spores and mycotoxins over time.

Some potential testing for mold exposure include:

  • Allergy test specifically for mold.
  • Blood test showing an elevated count of antibodies.
  • Skin prick test in which a doctor pricks the skin, exposes the skin to allergens and watches for a reaction like a rash, hives or bumps.

Staying Healthy

If you can’t shake your symptoms or wonder if mold may be partly responsible for mood swings and a noticeable, unexplained difference in your emotional health, see a doctor for a thorough medical checkup. Explain your symptoms and how they may be related to toxic mold exposure.

If you suspect mold is the problem or making you feel worse, take steps to eliminate your exposure. Cleaning up mold before it spreads and grows is important especially if you live a humid climate or notice damp areas in your home.

  • Wear protective gloves and a face mask.
  • Turn off the furnace or air conditioner to prevent the spread of airborne mold spores while cleaning.
  • Clean with either undiluted white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or a commercial mold & mildew cleaner.
  • Saturate the moldy area with the cleaning solution to stabilize spores and prevent them from reaching other areas of your home.
  • Let the cleaning solution sit for 10-15 minutes to soak into the active mold.
  • Scrub the area with a brush until mold is removed, rinse and let air dry. You may need more than one application to completely remove the mold from showers and walls, so repeat as necessary.
  • Fix leaking pipes or water leaking from faucets, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines or any other area where a water leak is possible.
  • Run a dehumidifier in moist, damp spaces.
  • Add or improve existing ventilation.

If despite your best efforts, the mold has grown to concerning levels covering over 10 square feet or keeps coming back, call a professional mold remediation company to tackle the issue for good.

Conclusion

While exposure to black mold can lead to mild to severe physical and/or emotional health issues, it’s imperative to find its source and eliminate it once and for all.

For fast, professional services and results, call the mold remediation experts at RCS in Santa Rosa.

fall leaves bridge

Types of Fall Allergies

Most look forward to the fall thanks to its vibrant colors and cool temperatures. But, for some, this season can be a huge inconvenience because of its allergens. Below you’ll discover some of the most frequent sources of fall allergies and how you can protect yourself from them.

4 Common Fall Allergies

Ragweed: This plant is one of the most notorious fall allergies. It thrives during this season because of its cool temperatures and heavy rain. It’s particularly bad because just one ragweed plant can produce up to one million pollen spores. With the assistance of chilly winds, these spores can travel long distances leading to you breathing them in. This can result in serious nasal congestion, sneezing, headaches, and a sore throat.

Mildew: Mildew forms year-round but it’s particularly evident in the fall. This season can bring a lot of rain and moisture which encourages the growth of mold. You’ll notice that it grows rapidly outdoors in areas near leaves and around windows.

Pet Dander: As fall begins, you might find that your pet has started shedding their summer coat. While this might not be a big event for some animals, if you have a very furry one, like a golden retriever, it could fill your home not only with their fur but dander. These could sneak into your ductwork contaminating the air you breathe causing allergic reactions.

Cypress: In northern California, cypresses flourish. While beautiful throughout the year, during the fall, they can be a big nuisance. As the season rolls on, cypress spores can irritate your respiratory system.

How to Protect Yourself From Them

Keep Your Windows Closed: It might be tempting to open your windows during this season, but it’s crucial you don’t. If you do, you’ll only invite these allergens into your home. They can get caught in your ductwork, furniture, and clothing making any allergy attacks even worse. Because of these, make sure your windows stay shut.

Clean Your Carpets: Pet dander, mildew, and plant spores can get trapped in carpet fibers. As you walk on it, you can spread the spores around your home. To prevent this, make sure to do a deep clean of your carpets at least once during this season.

Run an Air Purifier: You might also want to run an air purifier in your home. Most contain a HEPA filter which can collect and trap any airborne allergens.

Fall allergies can be annoying, but with these tips, you can better protect yourself from them. If you’re concerned your home might have mold damage caused by these allergens, call RCS in Santa Rosa. We’ll send a team out to investigate the issue and get to work quickly fixing it.