Health Tips

Moldy Mess 

Image Credit: Hayward Score 

Yikes!! There is mold on my shoes, clothes, everywhere!! It’s troublesome cleaning this moldy mess, especially if your favorite trousers are infested with the “mold disease.” No doubt that mold is a slimy pest in our everyday life, especially in this hot humid weather. Looking at the bright side, mold has its benefits as it can be used for fermentation of food such as cheese, soy sauce, miso and even used to produce antibiotic penicillin?! Let’s find out more about the effects of mold on our health and tips to get rid of it from our homes! 

Peek-a-boo with moldy mold 

When business was allowed to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, business owners were surprised when they found out that there was a raid of mold on almost every item in the store. Wallets, leather backpacks and handbags fell prey to the mold attack due to the sudden rise in temperature and humidity in the stores. It certainly takes some effort and time to clean up the moldy mess in the store. In our everyday lives, we are exposed to mold, which is a type of fungus that thrives on moisture and reproduces by small and lightweight spores that are spread in the air. When the mold spores land on any moist surfaces in your kitchen or bathroom, they begin to grow and multiply. The only way to prevent the growth of mold spores is to prevent moisture and damp surfaces in our homes (strategies will be explained later on!). 

Some interesting facts about mold 

Did you know there are more than 100,000 types of species of mold? The common ones found in your homes include Cladosporium (the brown, green or black mold usually found on wood, carpets or fabrics), Penicillium (the blue, green or yellow fuzzy mold found under carpets, basements or insulations), Aspergillus (the green, white or gray with dark spots and a powdery look) etc. Not all superman wears capes, certainly not the moldy mold?! Surprisingly, the antibiotic penicillin used for bacterial infections is naturally produced by the penicillium mold, which is also the same fungi that makes the iconic blue cheese. The downside of mold is that it is linked to 30 different respiratory conditions including bronchitis, asthma, allergies, pneumonitis etc. People who spend time in a damp indoor environment may complain of respiratory effects (cough, wheeze), headaches and other physical symptoms. 

Image Credit: Science Photo Library 

Effects of mold on your health 

Although mold seems harmless, long exposure to a damp and moldy environment could potentially trigger irritation or allergic reactions for certain groups of people. The symptoms can range from having a runny or blocked nose, experiencing skin rashes or watery and itchy eyes, to having a dry cough or sore throat. In a more severe circumstance arising from mold allergies, patients who are susceptible to an immune-mediated condition can develop hypersensitivity pneumonitis, whereby the symptoms may include shortness of breath, prolonged cough, and progressive weight loss. 

In addition to allergies, individuals who have compromised immune systems might be vulnerable to fungal infections. This weakened immunity can be a result of a variety of factors, one of the examples is patients that are undergoing cancer treatment. Patients who have pre-existing lung diseases also have an elevated risk of mold infection. Consultation for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified physician is thus recommended.

Tips to remove mold

A rule of thumb is to ensure that the environment is well ventilated and dry. This is to eliminate breeding space for mold to grow. Look out for rooms that have the issue of condensation or frequent contact with water. Avoid any fixtures or pieces of furniture that could easily collect or trap water and moisture. Consider getting anti-fungal spray from the shops to increase your success in preventing mold infestation. If you have a mold allergy, you can take some medications including nasal corticosteroid sprays, antihistamine, decongestant and nasal rinse for symptomatic treatment, as well as manage the humidity at your home. 

Medically reviewed by Nur Ariffin, MBBS UniSZA

Reference: 

1. Healthline. Mold: Symptoms of Exposure, Risks, and More. Accessed 4 July 2022. https://www.healthline.com/health/mold-in-house#causes

2. The Red Seal. Fun Facts About Mold. Accessed 4 July 2022. https://www.therealsealllc.com/blog/fun-facts-mold/ 

3. The Straits Time. Coronavirus: Mould found growing on leather products in Malaysia as businesses. Accessed 4 July 2022. reopen. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/coronavirus-mould-found-growing-on-leather-products-in-malaysia-as-businesses-reopen 

Webmd.Moisture and Mold Problems: Preventing and Solving Them in Your Home. Accessed 4 July 2022. https://www.webmd.com/lung/mold-mildew 

Written by

DOC2US Editorial Team