Mold spores can pop up anywhere. There are lots of ways
to deal with this persistent problem that are cost
effective and really work. Dealing with mold requires
elbow grease, patience, and mold know-how. Do not give up;
the effort is well worth it.
Allergy Alert
Greenhouses, antique shops, saunas, sleeping bags,
summer cottages and hotel rooms are sources of increased
mold exposure. Automobile air conditioners may harbor
mold.
Anti-mold Preparations
Numerous cleaning products specializing in mold control
are available. The active ingredients in these products
that are effective against molds are bleach and ammonia.
So why should you pay a premium for anti-mold preparations
when you can readily prepare the mixture at home for a
fraction of the cost? As long as you are aware of the
fabric fading effects and the potentially caustic nature of
these cleaning materials, there should be no problems.
Limited areas of mold collection (as occurs in the
bathroom) can be cleaned with a bleach solution. An old
toothbrush and bleach work wonders on the dark mildew that
often collects between the tiles. If there is carpet in the
bathroom (ideally there shouldn't be since this is
a "moisture trap" for mold), be careful not to drip the
bleach on the carpet! Regularly using a "squeegee" along
with a bottle of dilute bleach will help keep the mold
spores under control.
Shower curtains present a special problem for mold
control. Once the curtain is stained with mold spots, it
might be worth a wash and rinse cycle with bleach. Usually,
however, by the time you can see dime-size deposits of
mold on the plastic shower curtain, it's probably not worth
the effort. At this point, it would be better to purchase a
vinyl curtain with a mold inhibitor. (These are available
for use in motel rooms.)
Larger areas, especially under the house, should be
treated with either Orthocine, Captan's powder (8 oz in a
gallon of water), or bleach (mix 1 cup of bleach to 1
gallon of water). These products are available in hardware
stores. Using rubber gloves, scrub the affected areas and
repeat the process in 2 hours.
For even more extensive molds under the house, buy a 5
lb. bag of Bordeaux mixture (mostly copper sulfate) from
any regular nursery and mix it with 15 to 20 gallons of
water in a large tank sprayer. Spray the areas under the
house, the ground, and all wood thoroughly at least 3 to 4
times a year for the first several years.
If the Bordeaux mixture is unavailable or does not
control the problem, Ziram can be used in a 1-2% spray
solution. Mix 3 ounces of the concentrate to 1 gallon of
water. Ziram can also be used in the home for walls and
floors. When applied to some fabrics, it may produce a
slightly yellow color. Protective clothing should always be
used when spraying this fungicide. One application of Ziram
is usually sufficient for mold control.
Allergy Alert
Caution: DO NOT STORE FUNGICIDES NEAR FIRE OR OPEN
FLAMES. ALWAYS BE SURE THERE IS GOOD VENTILATION DURING
USE SINCE MANY OF THESE SUBSTANCES ARE TOXIC!
Indoor Mold Control - Other Measures
Lower the humidity level in the house.
Use fans for proper ventilation.
Clean visible mold from walls and ceilings.
Keep firewood outside since the bark is covered with
mold.
Add mold inhibitor to paint before applying if it will
be used in a damp environment, especially on brick and
cinderblock walls in a basement or shady areas.
Mold tends to grow in closets, as they tend to be dark
and damp. Dry shoes and boots before storing. Consider a
chemical moisture remover (desiccant) such as calcium
carbonate flakes or crystals. One brand is Dri-Out Dome,
which is readily available through allergy catalogs and
home improvement stores.
Do not carpet the bathroom.
Mold grows in refrigerators. Keep them clean and
defrosted. Remove spoiled food, preferably before it gets
that way!
Correct seepage or flooding problems and remove water-
damaged carpet.
Carpet and pad should not be laid on a concrete floor
since this is a great place for moisture to accumulate,
resulting in a flourishing population of dust mites and
mold.
Remove moldy stored items from the basement and keep it
clean.
Allergy
Assist
Farmers, gardeners, bakers, brewers, florists,
carpenters, mill workers, upholsterers, and paper hangers
have an increased exposure to mold due to their
occupations. Your allergist can offer specific
recommendations for handling these work
environments.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a general term for many types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The other forms of eczema include: contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, Nummular eczema, Neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema may vary from person to person and may depend on the type of eczema.
Allergic rhinitis symptoms include an itchy, runny nose, sneezing, itchy ears, eyes, and throat. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) is usually caused by pollen in the air. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a type of chronic rhinitis and is a year–round problem, often caused by indoor allergens, such as dust, animal dander, and pollens that may exist at the time. Treatment of chronic rhinitis and post nasal drip are dependant upon the type of rhinitis condition.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Hoarseness (abnormal deep, harsh, raspy voice) is caused by a variety of conditions in which the larynx (voice box and vocal chords) are irritated or injured. Examples of causes of hoarseness include: laryngitis, straining the vocal cords by yelling or screaming, infections, GERD, allergies, and more. Treatment of hoarseness depends on the cause.
Asthma, the main cause of chronic illness in children, has signs and symptoms in children that include frequent coughing spells, low energy while playing, complaints of chest "hurting," wheezing while breathing, shortness of breath, and feelings of tiredness. Treatment will involve a doctor creating an asthma action plan which will describe the use of asthma medications and when to seek emergency care for the child.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
Common sources of indoor allergens include dust mites, cockroaches, molds, pets, and plants. Managing allergies caused by indoor allergens means reducing your exposure to them.
Biologic rhythms, or biorhythms, are how our bodies respond to the regular phases of the sun, moon, and seasons. A medical chronobiologist studies how the "body clock" or biorhythms affect diseases and how the body clock responds to treatment of diseases and conditions at different times of the day.
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