The CDC has openly discussed the link between mold in the home and the escalation of asthma symptoms for over 20 years now. Central Florida’s humid climate creates the perfect environment for mold growth—and it’s not just in your bathroom. Mold spores thrive in air ducts, playrooms, and other hidden areas throughout your home, potentially putting your children’s health at risk.
Understanding mold symptoms in children is crucial for protecting your family from respiratory issues, allergies, and other health complications. Early detection can help you avoid costly remediation, medical expenses, and long-term health problems.
In this guide, you’ll discover:
- Expert recommendations for professional mold removal services
- Five key warning signs of mold exposure in children
- Proven mold prevention strategies for Florida homes
1. Lingering Coughs in Children that Do Not Abate
Mold spores commonly irritate airways in both children and adults and can easily cause a wet or dry cough. However, this illness may hide behind another sickness, such as a cold. As such, if a child gets better from a cold but the cough does not diminish, you may want to look for a secondary factor.
As children breathe faster and closer to the floor, where spores tend to accumulate, it is normal for them to have a higher level of mold exposure. Handling the issue may lead to you creating a much safer space for your child.
Be aware that these mold colonies may exist outside the rooms, too. It is common for them to thrive inside HVACs, such as in their evaporator coils, where water tends to accumulate. The spores from these devices will then spread through the house, often into bedrooms, where your child may breathe in those that have not landed throughout the night.
If your child already suffers from asthma, then bear in mind that spore irritation may continue to cause problems for them, even after using an inhaler. As such, if that has less of an effect than usual, then that may be another sign.
2. All-Year Long Stuffed Noses
If your family suffers from chronic congestion, it may be more than a hereditary issue. One of the key pieces of evidence is whether the problem goes away when you travel from home for a weekend trip.
You may also want to watch out for:
- Postnasal drip that prevents sleep
- Antibiotics not having an effect
- Whether the issue occurs all year round
You can test this out by using air purifiers in specific areas of the home to clean up those locations and see if your family feels more comfortable there. Then, getting a more comprehensive test may be sensible.
3. Mystery Rashes
Skin Rashes and Irritation
Does your family have red, itchy skin patches? Do steroid creams provide only temporary relief? Mold exposure could be the cause.
Check for rashes on elbows and behind knees. These patches often worsen after rainstorms in humid climates.
Toxic mold weakens your skin’s natural defenses. This leads to irritation and increases infection risk. Take these symptoms seriously and act quickly.
Prevention Steps After Treatment:
Wash all clothing in your home thoroughly. Never leave damp clothes sitting in hampers. Wet laundry spreads mold spores throughout your house.
Establish strict laundry habits moving forward. This prevents mold from returning to your home.
4. Fatigued Children and Daily Headaches
Chronic Fatigue and Headaches
Is your child tired throughout the day? Invisible mold spores may be triggering their immune system. This causes mold-related allergies and constant exhaustion.
Notice a musty odor in your home? That smell contains airborne spores. These spores can cause severe headaches and fatigue.
Testing for Mold Exposure:
Do symptoms improve when your child leaves home? Brief trips away can reveal mold issues. Pay attention to these changes in energy levels.
Talk to your child’s teachers about their focus. Ask them to monitor performance during humid weather. Increased humidity often worsens mold symptoms at school.
5. Slipping Grades and Wild Mood Swings
The difficulties your child is having in school may be due to more than a lack of focus. Similarly, mood swings may have a more direct cause than you otherwise expected.
Instead of discipline issues, check to see if you can improve the air quality in your home. If this leads to a noticeable boost in their grades and confidence, you may need to contact someone to clean up your home.
Reducing the Impact of Child Bedroom Mold
The EPA confirms that, to prevent mold, indoor relative humidity (RH) should remain below 60%. So, use dehumidifiers to reduce the likelihood of this occurring.
However, you should check the dehumidifiers within the room for signs of mold. The filters are the perfect place to do this, as many spores will be caught here, where you can find them easily. If you do, it also means you must wash these to prevent the captured spores from circulating.
The Florida Department of Health also has information on how to clean your home once you have reduced the appearance of mold.
If you continue to have issues, you may want to contact a licensed assessor. Elite Mold Services will test and collect evidence of what you are facing. They can also perform infrared moisture scans of drywall and other areas to reveal where your home has more moisture. Areas will be identified that are perfect for mold accumulation.
After determining the mold levels in your home, they can then take action to protect your family and your home from its ravages.
Reduce Mold Symptoms in Kids with a Cleaner Home
Protect Your Children from Mold Exposure
Your children’s coughs and rashes may be preventable. Fast detection and removal can eliminate hidden mold. This creates a healthier, more comfortable home environment.
HEPA purifiers and dehumidifiers provide temporary relief. However, they don’t solve the underlying problem. Professional mold remediation is the only permanent solution.
Professional Mold Inspection & Testing Services
Elite Mold Services offers lab-verified mold testing. Our inspectors work quickly to get you answers. We will identify the sources causing issues and give you a clear action plan to get it fixed.
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Professional treatment protects your children’s health. Contact a certified mold removal specialist today. So, contact us today to get the protection you need.