result of hurricane helen Has caused severe floods in the south-east.
with excess water The risk of mold growth in the home increases, which can cause serious health risks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold in your home may look like multicolored spots and smell foul.
If black mold is found in your home, follow these steps to keep yourself and your family safe
Mold can cause a variety of symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, wheezing, eye irritation, and skin rash,
Flood waters fill Main Street after Hurricane Helene passes the coast in Tarpon Springs, Florida on September 27, 2024. (Joe Raddle/Getty Images)
In an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Mark Siegel said that mold can grow on wet walls that may not always be visible.
Siegel named two “very serious molds” about which he is most concerned: black mold and aspergillus.
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Siegel explained that black mold can appear as black or dark green spots.
Aspergillus is invasive and can cause an infection called aspergillosis. usually respiratory, According to the Mayo Clinic.
According to experts, Aspergillus fungus is aggressive and can cause a respiratory infection called aspergillosis. (iStock)
can provoke both molds allergy symptoms And infections, as well as conditions like hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an allergic reaction that causes inflammation in the lungs, according to Siegel.
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Mold can also trigger respiratory conditions emphysema or asthmaThe doctor added.
“I’m concerned about people who are immunocompromised and have chronic diseases,” he said.
The doctor said that for those experiencing allergy symptoms like coughing and sneezing, the cause could be mold. (iStock)
“It can be fatal if your immunity is weak or if your immunity is weak had a transplant – You could get a serious case of fungal infection.”
People with conditions such as chronic lung disease may develop lung infections, the CDC said.
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The fungus can grow in as little as 24 hours, Cleveland Clinic experts said in a news release.
According to Maeve McMurdo, MD, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, the sooner water damage is cleaned up, the lower the risk of mold growth.
“Obviously, the sooner the better, and this is tough,” he said in the release. “People are going through a lot, but water cleanup and mold remediation is a really big part of it.”
For those who have power back on at home, Siegel recommends plugging in Dehumidifier or air conditioner To dry the place.
“Even if it’s cool outside, you want air conditioning because you want to get rid of the humidity,” he said. “Humidity is where mold grows.”
Workers clean up the International Molding Frame Shop in Morganton, North Carolina, which was damaged by floodwaters from Hurricane Helene in September 2024. (AP Photo/Kathy Komonicek)
Doctors also recommend using bleach or vinegar to remove mold spots on walls – or hiring a professional to locate and remove the mold.
“There are professional organizations that can detect mold lurking around the corner,” Siegel said.
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To prevent mold, the CDC recommends keeping humidity levels in a home no higher than 50%.
According to the same source, air should “flow freely”, helped by exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
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Experts recommend that fixing leaks in ceilings, walls, and plumbing will help ensure that any moisture in the home does not turn into mold.
Some people may choose to hire a professional service to locate and remove the mold. (iStock)
The CDC also recommends not using carpet in rooms where there is high moisture, such as bathrooms and basements, and replacing soaked carpet and upholstery.
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The agency warns to never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners when cleaning moldy areas, as this will create toxic gases.
The CDC warns to never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners, as this will create a toxic gas. (iStock)
Experts recommend that best practices are to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the bleach container’s label, open windows to provide fresh air, and wear rubber boots, gloves, and goggles during cleaning.
People with persistent symptoms should seek medical attentionMcMurdo urged. While flu season will bring temporary viruses, the symptoms of thrush will last longer.
