Otolaryngology

Dealing With Winter Mold and Mildew Allergies

Dealing With Winter Mold and Mildew Allergies
During damp weather, we shut windows, close drapes, fire up the heater, and get cozy. Then it begins: sneezing, headaches, dizziness, chest pains, and strange odors.

What Are Allergies?

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Bioaerosols are microscopic small living organisms or fragments of living things suspended in the air. Dust mites, molds, fungi, spores, pollen, bacteria, viruses, amoebas, fragments of plant materials, and human and pet dander (skin that has been shed) are some examples.

Substances that produce an allergic reaction in some people are called antigens or allergens. They can cause severe health problems like the common cold, pneumonia, allergies like rashes, hay fever, asthma, and runny noses. Severe reactions can even be fatal.

Hypersensitive Allergy

A few people develop a severe allergic lung reaction, which can destroy lung tissue. This is called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It is not an infection, but repeated episodes can lead to infections of the lung, such as bacterial pneumonia.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis can be triggered by exposure to very small amounts of the allergen, once a person is sensitive to it. Symptoms can range from tightness in the chest, cough, and difficulty in breathing, to low-grade fever, muscle aches, and headaches.

Bioaerosols, such as mold, mildew, and dust mites, are commonly found in indoor air. Control measures include reducing sources of moisture, reducing the relative humidity, and removing materials that contribute to the growth of these agents. Check periodically for moisture problems and maintain the air handling systems and filters.

Mrs. Clean Tips to Remove Musty Smells

Musty odors in your home have several causes, but often mold and mildew are the main culprits. The bad smell is caused by mold and mildew building up and releasing foul gasses. A combination of moisture, lack of air circulation (stagnant air), and darkness will allow mold, mildew, and odor to grow.

It is important to locate the source of the odor. Then take corrective action to remove the moisture problem first before addressing the odor. You will likely need to call in professionals to help if you have a water leak, cracked foundation, or leaky roof because if the moisture is not stopped you will be fighting a losing battle with odor.

Dealing With Winter Mold and Mildew Allergies

Simply drying out the area of the house that smells musty may not be enough to completely eradicate the smell. If any amounts of mold spores remain, they will continue to spread throughout the room and house, keeping that musty smell coming back.

Mrs. Clean advises that the best way to remove all unpleasant smells from a house is to give every affected area a thorough scrubbing with a good cleaning agent such as:

  • One part boric acid
  • Two parts white vinegar
  • Two parts hydrogen peroxide
  • Four parts water

Scrub the walls, floors, furniture, and more with it. Just be sure not to saturate the items or area since too much moisture can aggravate the situation.

Zeolite is a natural mineral that absorbs odor without a perfume or masking agent, is non-toxic, and lasts for about six months. Put zeolite in the problem area and it will start absorbing musty smells right away.

In addition to lasting for six months, zeolite is also reusable! It is very simple to recharge this mineral. Just expose it to direct sunlight or put it into a two-hundred-and-fifty-degree oven for thirty minutes. Your zeolite’s odor-absorbing abilities have been restored.

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To support the writing of useful articles about otolaryngology, ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may sponsor specific articles or remit a small donation.

ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online to offset expense of the writing useful articles about otolaryngology. Slide extra posters into DeuPair Frames without removing from the wall.

ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may remit a small donation.

You can support the writing of useful articles about otolaryngology by sponsoring specific articles or remitting a small donation. Visible content is optimized for device size.

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