Is this mold causing my son's cough?« Back to Previous Page

That is a very legitimate concern, and it is entirely possible the mold exposure is contributing to your son's persistent cough and runny nose. In a climate like Dubai's, where we retreat indoors to air-conditioned spaces, airborne mold spores from a source like that can be continuously recirculated, irritating the respiratory system. Children are often more susceptible to these irritants.

The absolute first step is to isolate the area. Keep the storage room closed off and do not allow your children near it. Avoid disturbing the mold further, as this will release more spores into your home's air. Do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach or other home remedies, as improper handling can amplify the problem.

For a situation of this scale with health symptoms already present, a professional inspection is strongly advised. They can assess the extent of the growth, even behind walls or under floors that may have been affected by the dampness, and identify the mold species. This is critical, as some types are more strongly associated with allergic reactions than others.

Once the inspection and testing are complete, a proper remediation plan can be made to safely remove the contaminated materials and address the source of the moisture to prevent it from returning. In the interim, ensuring your AC filters are clean and potentially using standalone HEPA air purifiers in living areas can help reduce the overall spore count in your home's air.