Congestion, Headache, and Illness: Basement Mold and Sinus Problems
If you’ve ever noticed your nose closing and your eyes stinging in certain parts of your home, that’s a sure sign that you have unwanted black mold hanging out somewhere. Many people suffer from sinus disorders when they enter their basements. The problem is not your breast; is the mold.
I can’t breathe!
When there is mold in your home, you don’t see it often. This is especially true in the basement. So the only way to know is by following your nose.
Mold spores cause a variety of symptoms, usually resembling a mild cold or sinus attack. You may have a stuffy nose, sinus headache, itchy eyes, irritated skin, trouble breathing, or a wide variety of other symptoms. Some people who suffer from a chronic sinus disorder are actually routinely attacked by hidden mold in their home.
Actually, your breast is your best testing device. If you go to your basement and you feel a sudden sinus attack approaching, go to another part of the house and see if it goes away. Some people who experience sinus problems at home find that when they go on vacation, the problem goes away. Then when they get home, it comes back.
Why is mold so fond of my basement?
The basement is a particularly good place for mold to wreak havoc on your sinuses. This is because it is dark and humid, two of the ideal living conditions for mold. There are also many convenient hiding places where mold can still get the water it needs to live.
Mold can grow on things stored in the basement, on the walls, on the floor joists, on the concrete floor. One of the worst places is on the wall just below a ground level window. If you have a basement bathroom, you can be sure that mold can find many great places to live.
Your basement offers many excellent opportunities for mold to enter and disturb your sinuses. This is especially true in older homes, where an entire mold civilization could be thriving.
What can I do about it?
First, you have to find the mold. Like I said before, a good way to do it is to follow your nose. Pay attention to your sinuses as you walk around the house. You will notice that in certain places, every time you go there, your sinus seems to close up and get engorged. This is a sure sign that you have mold and you don’t need any fancy testing device to know it.
If you really want to be sure, mold testing may be a good idea. A licensed mold inspector can test a mold sample to see what species it is. Knowing the species can shed some light on its particular health status. Certain types of mold are known to cause certain symptoms. They can also taste mold in the air.
Wouldn’t you love to be able to breathe again? Getting rid of mold is very likely to eliminate your chronic sinus problems.
