Could mold under carpet cause my kids' constant cough?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month and I'm starting to panic. I just pulled back the carpet in our spare bedroom in Jumeirah and found a huge patch of black, fuzzy mold underneath, probably from an old spill or the humidity. It smells really damp and earthy in there. **Could this mold be the reason for their constant coughs and should we get out of the house until it's cleaned?**
Posted by Brian Harris
Asked on May 2, 2026 10:40 pm
Yes, mold under carpet can absolutely cause persistent coughing in children. The damp, earthy smell confirms active microbial growth, and children are particularly sensitive to the spores and mycotoxins released. In Dubai's high humidity, carpets can trap moisture against the slab floor, creating a perfect environment for mold like this to thrive unseen.

You should restrict access to that room immediately and consider having your children stay elsewhere until the area is assessed and contained. Constant exposure to high concentrations of mold spores is a known irritant to the respiratory system, often manifesting as coughing, wheezing, and congestion.

For a situation of this scale, professional inspection and remediation are strongly advised. The black color alone doesn't confirm it's the notorious 'black mold' (Stachybotrys), but the health risk remains significant. A proper assessment involves more than just cleaning the visible patch; it requires identifying the moisture source, checking for spread inside walls or subfloor, and verifying the species through lab analysis to understand the specific risk. Reputable companies in Dubai will use containment barriers, HEPA filtration, and provide post-remediation verification testing to ensure the environment is safe again.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 4, 2026 7:17 pm