ac mold causing child's cough and itchy eyes?« Back to Previous Page

Persistent cough and itchy eyes in a child, combined with a damp smell from the AC, strongly suggests exposure to microbial growth. In Dubai's climate, where AC runs year-round and high humidity promotes condensation, this is a common issue.

For young children, the primary risks are respiratory irritation, worsened allergy symptoms, and potential exacerbation of asthma if present. Their developing systems are more sensitive to airborne irritants like mold spores and bacterial fragments circulated by the AC unit. This typically manifests as the symptoms you describe: chronic cough, nasal congestion, and itchy, watery eyes.

You should first contact your building's facility management. They are responsible for maintaining the central cooling system and cleaning the air handling units and ductwork, as per Dubai Municipality regulations. Request documentation of their last professional cleaning. For the internal unit within your apartment, a certified HVAC hygiene specialist should be engaged. Look for a provider that uses video scoping to show you the contamination and, crucially, provides before-and-after surface or air sample lab results to verify the unit's cleanliness. Avoid companies that only offer a superficial spray-and-wipe service without verifiable data. A proper inspection and cleaning should address the damp smell and measurably reduce the irritants causing your child's symptoms.