When you have moisture that collects in spaces that are not well ventilated, you have the opportunity for mold to grow. You could have a bathroom that does not handle the steam very well. You find that after you take a hot shower, the walls and fixtures remain moist for an extended period of time. The room can then remain steamy, and this is an environment where mold can grow in. Mold can start growing and forming in as little as 24 to 48 hours. It is important to make sure areas that can be prone to prolonged moisture are properly ventilated and cleaned. What can happen when you are affected by mold? Here is a quick look.
Types of Molds
Bathroom mold can show up as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, or Stachybotrys (black mold). Some of these molds can be present in everyday living, and most people do not have a problem with mild contact. The issue for some is when you have a weakened immune system or other health issues. Some of these molds present as black and some are blue-green, olive, or pinkish.
Symptoms
Some mild symptoms of mold exposure can be similar to having allergies. You can experience sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, and itchy throat and eyes. Just like allergies, you can take antihistamines and other allergy medication to help control your symptoms. These types of symptoms are important to keep tabs on to make sure they don’t progress.
Some more progressive symptoms could be similar to an asthma attack, fever, chest pain, and more. As stated earlier, these might be more prevalent in individuals who are already immunocompromised.
Visual Inspection & Cleaning
It is important to do regular checks for the areas of your home that retain moisture, like the bathroom. Looking at options to dry the areas better or increase ventilation should be considered. Any areas of concern should be marked in such a way that they can be reviewed to observe any changes that can occur.
Check for leaking pipes, loose fixtures, standing water, dripping water noise coming from walls, water stains, buckling flooring, and the like to see if you have hidden water leaking from somewhere. Your bathroom might start smelling musty, earthy, or stale.
Additionally, pay attention to yourself and see if you feel different or notice changes when you are in the bathroom as opposed to the rest of the day.
