Horror effect that mold has on your health

ASK: Hi Dr Zac, I fear for my mother’s Health, and it’s all thanks to mold! She lives alone in a tiny apartment with hardly any natural light. You have to feel how cold it gets in winter, mountaineers who want to climb Everest can use it as a training ground!

When I was last there, almost every nook and cranny of her house was covered in clusters of mold, some even black! And when I looked under her fridge I found something that looked like it came from the movie Alien, it turned out to be a piece of cheese she dropped a few years ago and that green hair was growing out. Of course I helped her clean a few things, but the mold in Sydney is unforgiving thanks to all the rain we’ve been through.

She says mold won’t hurt her, but I’m afraid it will. Is it true that having mold hanging out in your apartment can cause serious health problems? She also smokes, so I’m afraid her lungs aren’t as clean as they could be. – Jacob, 39, Sydney

ANSWERS: Hi Jacob, to answer your question directly: Yes, mold can cause serious health issues and I would advise your mother to have the mold in her apartment removed immediately.

Not many people are afraid of mold, and I think it’s because not many people understand what it is. It should be on almost everyone’s radar right now because of the weather we’ve been having along the East Coast.

So what is fungus? It is included in a group of common organisms called fungi. We know its distant cousins ​​mushrooms and yeast very well. If left unattended, mold will grow and create spores that are its attempts to spread. See spores like his sperm, flying into the air and looking for new places to fertilize.

Mold is present both indoors and outdoors and there are actually many different types. Those that can typically cause adverse health effects are found in water-damaged environments, where it grows to release spores that can cause health problems if inhaled.

Spores can cause allergies and respiratory symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, itchy eyes, coughing and respiratory infections. Our bodies are designed to resist irritants like mold spores, but if you have too many of them, some of them will break through the barrier.

Many people don’t know this, but mold can give you asthma, and in severe cases, chronic asthma. Some people have even presented to doctors with fungal growth in their lungs, due to constant contact with spores.

If you have pre-existing respiratory conditions, allergies, or a weakened immune system, your risk of adverse health effects from mold increases dramatically. If your mother belongs to the older target group, she could potentially develop serious health problems.

Many people assume that bleach gets rid of mold, but studies have shown that using bleach leaves a surface level of mold. The trick is to use a vinegar solution! This will remove all mold, especially the things you can’t see.

It sounds like your mom’s house needs a professional deep cleaning, but there are a few ways to keep it from growing back.

Control the moisture and moisture in your home

Especially in this period of weather we have to pay close attention to possible damp spots in your house. You must prioritize the repair of all leaks and plumbing issues. If water does get into your house, I recommend that you clean and dry it right away and keep an eye on the environment for a while.

Ventilation is key

You should always turn on the exhaust fans when bathing, showering, cooking, doing laundry, and drying clothes. And you should keep windows open when the weather permits. I understand with your mom that she may not have much ventilation so you should buy her a dehumidifier that will increase the ventilation.

Do you have a question:askdrzac@conciergedoctors.com.au

Dr Zac Turner holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is both a doctor and co-owner of telecare, Concierge doctors (https://conciergedoctors.com.au/). He was also a registered nurse and is also a qualified and experienced biomedical scientist and a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering.