“Humid” is a word you hear often in San Francisco. Whether it’s sweltering outside or bone-chillingly cold, the climate is always loyally humid.
And it’s about more than just your frizzy hair or sweating in the cloying heat; when moisture levels rise in your home, so do your health risks. Dampness leads to the formation of mold, which in turn leads to a host of side effects that could leave you sick, irritable, and according to Mercola.com, even kill you.
An Environmental Protection Agency report discovered that all molds, even non-allergic ones, have the potential to cause illnesses. The severity of your symptoms depends on the extent of your exposure, your general health, your age, existing sensitivities to allergies, and the types of mold present.
Below is an overview of our research into five of the biggest health risks posed by damp air and how you can avoid them:
1. Muscle Joint Pain
It’s an unexpected symptom but one that researchers at an environmental medicine symposium in Dallas discovered was alarmingly common among more than 1,600 patients suffering health issues linked to mold exposure.
Muscle joint pain can manifest in a variety of forms, affecting joints in any part of your body. Often the pain is barely noticeable, but it can worsen with increased exposure to damp air and mold.
2. Nasal and Sinus Congestion
While having blocked sinuses, a post-nasal drip, or a runny nose isn’t uncommon during most seasons here in San Francisco, it is often one of the first symptoms of mold exposure. Experts recommend seeking medical help if these symptoms persist for an unusual amount of time (think: over two weeks).
This congestion is often triggered by irritation caused by mold spores collecting on the delicate membranes inside your nose.
3. Eye Irritation
Mold spores are tiny, invisible particles that spread quickly and can cause eye irritation when they come into contact with your eyeballs. This is because the eye is an incredibly sensitive organ that is easily irritated by harmful spores.
An irritated eye will appear red and watery and is often confused with the signs of a spring allergies. Seek medical attention if the problem persists even after taking allergy medication.
4. Headaches
Mold spores can contribute to persistent headaches with no clear cause. If traditional treatments fail to curtail the frequency of your headaches, you may have mold in your home.
5. Fatigue
Damp air and mold have been shown to induce chronic fatigue. You may be experiencing mold-related tiredness if you are getting more than enough sleep but you are still feeling exhausted.
Safeguard Your Home Against Mold
In order to prevent these symptoms, you must first safeguard your home against mold. Desiccant dehumidifiers in San Francisco will remove moisture from the air in your home or business, starving mold of one of the most important ingredients it needs to start growing.
Allied Rental Company stocks a wide range of affordable dehumidifiers to suit your budget. Click here to compare desiccant dehumidifier rental in San Francisco, or call us at 415-644-5792.