Could mold in wardrobe be causing my kids' coughs?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold in your wardrobe is very likely contributing to your children's persistent coughs. In Dubai's high humidity, especially during seasonal transitions, mold spores thrive and become airborne irritants. These spores are microscopic and easily inhaled, causing respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and exacerbating conditions like asthma—symptoms often present as a chronic, nagging cough.

The safest approach is to avoid disturbing the mold yourself, as cleaning can release a massive cloud of spores into the bedroom air, significantly worsening the problem. For a small, contained area, you can carefully remove the affected items in sealed plastic bags for disposal or professional cleaning. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Wipe down the interior of the wardrobe with a dilute vinegar solution, which is effective against many mold types and less irritating than bleach.

However, given that the room feels persistently damp, this indicates a broader humidity issue that the wardrobe mold is merely a symptom of. The root cause could be insufficient AC dehumidification, a leak in the wall, or condensation. For your children's health, a professional indoor environmental assessment is strongly recommended to identify all mold reservoirs and the source of moisture. A proper inspection includes air and surface sampling sent to a microbiology lab to identify the mold species and spore concentration levels, which is critical for understanding the health risk and guiding an effective remediation plan.