- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
Dealing With Triggers: Mold
A variety of things can make asthma or allergy symptoms worse. These are called "triggers." Your doctor can help you figure out what your child's triggers are.
Mold is a common trigger for many kids.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a microscopic plant-like organism. It can grow on many surfaces, and prefers damp places like bathrooms and basements. Mold reproduces by sending spores into the air.
How Can I Help My Child Deal With It?
- Fix leaky pipes, faucets, or roofs. Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
- Make sure your bathrooms, kitchen, and basement are well-ventilated. Open windows or install and use exhaust fans to help lower moisture in these areas.
- If you have any damp closets, clean them well and air them out by leaving the door open or using a fan. Make sure all the closet contents are dry and uncluttered.
- Run a dehumidifier in the basement or other damp areas. Empty and clean the water pan often.
- If possible, remove wallpaper and wall-to-wall carpeting from bathrooms and basement rooms.
- Keep humidity level in the house below 50%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier, if needed. Make sure to regularly change the air conditioning filters and drain and clean the dehumidifier.
- Avoid houseplants, which may harbor mold in their soil.
- Clean any visible mold with soap and water, vinegar, or a special cleaning product for mold. You can also use a solution that's 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water, but be sure to ventilate the area well. Don't paint or caulk over moldy surfaces without cleaning them first.
- When painting bathrooms or other damp areas of your house, use anti-mold paint.
- If there's visible mold on ceiling tiles, remove and replace them. Also check to see if there's a leaky pipe that may be causing the problem.
- Replace or wash moldy shower curtains.
- When mold counts are high, kids should take their allergy medicine before going outdoors. They should try to avoid outdoor areas where mold is common, like leaf piles and uncut fields. After playing outdoors, they should bathe or shower and change clothes.
- Drive with the car windows shut and air conditioning on during mold seasons.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.