You and your partner have finally brought a new member into your family and it is normal that you want to do everything in your power to protect it, keep it safe, and ensure its health. We all know that the immune system of babies is very fragile in the first few years, so we have to protect them from any potential health risks.
Unfortunately, one of the dangers that could be continuously developing in your house without even noticing is black mold. The spores released into the air from black mold could incite medical problems for your baby.
Naturally, you will do everything to ensure that this does not happen. However, as I said, mold could develop in your home without you even noticing. Even if you try to find it, it can be difficult to spot.
However, there is no need to panic or boring. If you resolve this issue soon and there is no prolonged exposure, there probably will not be any health risks.
To find a solution to this problem as soon as possible, you can use this article to figure out whether your baby is breathing mold spores.
Symptoms
Prolonged exposure to mold spores can cause all kinds of symptoms. Anything from pain, quick changes in mood, memory loss, headaches, or even nosebleeds. Although, these are just assumptions because experts still have not proven that these are direct symptoms from mold exposure.
However, there are some symptoms that have been confirmed.
To see whether your baby has been exposed to such spores, look for a dry cough, red eyes, a runny nose, skin rashes, sore throat, and other similar symptoms.
Unfortunately, the symptoms are something that you will regularly experience with your baby. Often they cry which means they will have a blocked or a runny nose, they will have red eyes and from too much crying, even their throat can get red.
However, if you notice that these problems start to show up more often than usual, maybe you should consider that mold spores are an option.
Common places you have to check
If you do not see any apparent symptoms and you are not sure whether you have a problem with mold home all that is left to do is to check out the most common places where this fungus can grow.
1. Crawlspace
Most buildings and houses nowadays have a crawlspace built in right the flooring. And this is the perfect environment for this kind of fungus to grow. It is dark and damp and humid.
Usually, most people do not even visit the crawlspace. This is probably why so many people believe that the crawlspace does not pose a danger to the health of those around them. Especially children or babies.
However, that is not the case because it does pose a threat. The spores that are released from the mold can quickly and easily spread through the floor and into your bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, etc.
Obviously, you will need to quickly get rid of this problem to keep your baby safe, but since the crawlspace is very limited in space, it can be impossible to deal with. Because of this, you should probably call for professionals to help you get rid of the mold. Often, the solution for that kind of problem is mold remediation as suggested by Elite Moisture Solutions.
2. Bathroom
Another perfect environment for mold growth in the bathroom. It is very damp and it is almost always dark.
However, spotting the fungus might prove a little bit difficult. Usually, it is going to be hidden in the darker corners.
To do a full sweep, you will need to check out the shower or the bathtub. If you have a bathtub, make sure you check under it. Since this is a location that is always dark. If you have a shower, look closely at all of the corners. Make sure to move all the items such as shampoos, sponges, or razers to check thoroughly.
Keep in mind, even the tiniest spot of this fungus can easily spread to other locations. If you truly want to protect your baby, you should not allow the mold to spread anywhere.
After that, I would also recommend checking behind the toilet because it is another place where it is dark and damp. If that is clean, you can continue on to the sink. First, check around and behind the faucet. After that, check the underside of the sink and then behind it.
If everything seems clean, your bathroom is probably a safe place for your baby and anyone else.
3. Kitchen
Believe it or not, but a kitchen is also a place where mold could easily grow. However, not because it is cold or damp, but because of food.
Once spores start growing on one food product, they could quickly spread to other items. This usually happens inside of the refrigerator. Think about it. Inside of the refrigerator is cold, dark, and damp. Add expired and moldy food and it is the perfect breeding ground for this fungus.
To keep yourself, your baby, and everyone else in your household safe, you should always ensure that every piece of expired food is appropriately disposed of on time.
It would also be a good idea to check in the pantry. The pantry is usually filled with stuff that lasts long and does not expire, but it is still a good idea to check and clean the pantry at least a few times a year.
To be entirely sure that your kitchen is clean, you should also check behind a refrigerator, microwave, and stove.
With these symptoms in mind and the most commonplace you could find mold growing, you can ensure that your baby is never exposed to such spores.
Just make sure to regularly clean and maintain the bathroom, crawlspace, kitchen, and every other room to completely get rid of the possibility of mold growing inside of your home. This is how you can keep yourself, your baby, and everyone in your household healthy and safe.