The risks of untreated flood damage to children

Untreated Flood Damage can lead to mold growth

When mold growth affect babies’ health. (Photo Credits)

It may appear as if untreated water damage only causes physical hazards, but no, it can cause long term illnesses that may largely affect babies and the elderly.

Parents.com published a comprehensive article correlating mold exposure to illnesses on young children. Read this post 

“When your child is mildly allergic, avoiding exposure may be the only treatment she needs. Check your local newspaper or the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology’s National Allergy Bureau (aaaai.org/nab) for outdoor mold-spore levels in your area, and try to stay indoors when levels are high. If your child’s allergy is severe, a combination of an over-the-counter antihistamine, like Claritin or Zyrtec, and a prescription inhaled nasal steroid, such as Flonase or Nasonex, should help. Immunotherapy shots against mold are available, but experts say they aren’t always effective. During our own cleanup after the hurricane, we sealed our daughters’ bedroom door to keep the mold spores contained, and then we tore out the wet Sheetrock and carpet. Within days, Emily’s wheezing subsided, and I’d learned a valuable lesson: If you can’t prevent mold, get rid of it as fast as possible.”

Read the rest of the comprehensive article here.

Infants and Mold Exposure

The website Our Everyday Life also detailed the many health consequences of mold exposure on babies, particularly Black  Molds.

“The mycotoxins emitted by black mold are absorbed into the skin, airways and intestines, according to a 1998 article published in Pediatrics. The CDC reports that otherwise healthy individuals, including babies, are at a higher risk for coughing, wheezing and upper respiratory symptoms when they’re exposed to indoor mold, such as black mold. Babies are at a higher risk for developing asthma, as well, according to the CDC. Acute pulmonary hemorrhage has also been associated with indoor mold exposure, Pediatrics reports.”

Check out the continuation of this article here.

Get rid of molds

Baby Center India echoed the dangers of molds as mentioned in the articles above, and shared some ways to avoid and get rid of it.

“Carpets, rugs and curtains can absorb moisture very easily. Make sure to keep them clean. Dry them in the sun regularly. If your carpets or upholstery become mouldy, throw them away. They will need to be replaced. Having your air conditioning on can help stop mould forming. But, make sure that your air conditioning is kept clean. Mould can form in the system. Also, try to limit your use of humidifiers if you have them. They will keep the air moist which helps mould to form. Clean your humidifier often, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This will stop mould forming in the machine.”

Take a look at the material here.

Molds are indeed dangerous to infants and children. Careful measures should be made to ensure that they will not grow, and that children will not be exposed to it.

Dealing with a flooded carpet

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