Do you have spring allergies? Before blaming pollen, consider that it may be due to mold growth. Read this post by Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services in Polk County to learn more about this topic.

Spring is finally here! For many people, that means that after a long winter, they can finally get outdoors to enjoy outdoor activities, see the landscape regain its colors, enjoy the sunshine, and of course, watch endless flowers bloom! Speaking of flowers, let's not forget that this season can also be difficult for people susceptible to spring allergies caused by pollen; however, is pollen the problem, or could there be another environmental allergen in your home? Mold exposure usually produces symptoms similar to seasonal allergies; therefore, many people may confuse the two. Still, it's essential to learn the differences between the two, as mold can be more dangerous if it's a pathogenic or even toxigenic type (such as black mold, for example). If you want to learn how to tell the differences between seasonal allergy and mold allergy, as well as a few tips for preventing mold exposure this season, read the following post from Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services.

If you detect a mold infestation in your basement, attic, or any other area in your home, get in contact with a restoration expert at Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services as soon as possible. For more information about the best cleaning and restoration services in Polk County, call 888-436-3499 today.

Is It Seasonal Allergy or Mold Allergy?

Is your allergy due to pollen or mold? Both are environmental allergens that can cause a similar immune response; therefore, both can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, difficulty breathing, watery eyes, itchy throat, nose, and eyes. Despite the similarities, some important factors can help you determine the source of your allergy; in that regard, take a look at the following facts:

• The time when it occurs: Seasonal allergies occur around the first days of march to the end of august because, during springtime, flowers, weeds, and trees produce pollen, which is a fine dust that, despite being harmless, can be considered dangerous by the immune system. On the contrary, mold allergies can occur at any time of the year, as long as conditions are warm and humid to favor mold growth.
• Where the allergy is triggered: Seasonal allergies are triggered by doing any outdoor activity, for example, mowing the lawn, camping, or hiking. On the other hand, mold allergies usually manifest indoors, at places where humidity and high temperatures favor the growth of mold colonies in hidden areas, for example, in a property's crawl space.

Mold can endanger your family's health, hence the importance of eliminating any infestation problem as quickly as possible. If you require the best cleaning and restoration services in Polk County, get in touch with the restoration specialists at Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services. For more information about their services, call them at 888-436-3499.

What Are the Risk Factors for Developing a Mold Allergy?

Although mold allergy has similar symptoms to hay fever, some factors can worsen its effects and pose a greater risk to people's health; to learn about them, read on:

• Having respiratory diseases: Mold exposure may carry a higher risk if you have asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or other respiratory condition or illness.
• A family history of allergies: If your parents or siblings have asthma or are prone to respiratory allergies, you will most likely develop an allergic reaction to mold.
• Being exposed to mold at work: If your workplace has poor ventilation and humidity, chances are mold is already thriving there; hence, you may develop allergy symptoms to it. Some occupations that involve constant exposure to large amounts of mold include logging, baking, farming, and carpentry.
• Living in an unventilated place: Mold thrives in warm, dark, and moist areas, so if your home favors those conditions, you might have mold colonies in your basement, kitchen, or bathroom; furthermore, under those conditions, you may have difficulty breathing, an itchy throat, among other allergy symptoms.

How to Prevent Mold Allergies

Although mold can adjust to any climate, spring provides a favorable environment for this fungus to develop quickly; therefore, you should take some precautions to keep mold under control within your home; to that end, consider the following tips:

• Use a dehumidifier: The lower the humidity in your home, the easier it will be to prevent mold colonies in the bathrooms, basement, attic, and kitchen, so place dehumidifiers in those rooms and any other moisture-prone areas of your home. When doing so, keep in mind that mold thrives when humidity levels in the air exceed 60%, so make sure humidity levels stay below 50%.
• Choose mold-killing products to clean your home: Another thing you can do is to clean your bathrooms with anti-mold products, including the shower curtain, bathtub, and tiles. When you finish cleaning, be sure to dry thoroughly with towels.
• Keep your home ventilated: If you have fans in your home, use them for a few minutes when the bathroom and kitchen are damp after cooking or taking a shower.
• Inspect your home regularly to make sure there are no leaks or standing water: Mold builds up around leaky pipes; hence, make sure to inspect the pipes under the sink, in the basement, and in your bathroom periodically to detect any possible leaks early.

If you suspect your home has a mold problem, reach out to the experts at Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services at 888-436-3499 to get an assessment of the issue as soon as possible. Remember that they offer 24/7 services, so feel free to call whenever your home requires the best cleaning and restoration services in Polk County.