Could mold behind sofa cause my kids' chronic cough?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month and I’m starting to panic. I finally pulled out the sofa in our living room to find a huge patch of black, fuzzy mold spreading up the wall from behind it, right where they always sit to watch TV. We’ve lived in this Jumeirah villa for 2 years and just noticed this. Could this mold be the reason for their constant cold-like symptoms and should I get them tested for anything specific?
Posted by Linda Lewis
Asked on April 29, 2026 4:30 am
Yes, the mold behind your sofa is very likely causing your children's persistent cough. In Dubai's climate, this scenario is unfortunately common. The high humidity, combined with condensation from air conditioning units and lack of air circulation behind large furniture, creates a perfect environment for mold growth. The constant exposure to mold spores in that confined space can directly irritate the respiratory tract, leading to chronic coughing, congestion, and allergy-like symptoms.

You should prioritize two actions immediately. First, have your children seen by a pediatrician. Inform the doctor about the mold discovery, as prolonged exposure can exacerbate asthma and allergies. They can advise if any specific tests are needed. Second, do not attempt to clean significant mold growth yourself, especially with children present. Disturbing it releases a massive amount of spores into your air. This requires professional assessment and remediation to identify the moisture source, properly contain the area during removal, and verify with testing that the air quality is safe afterward. For a villa in Jumeirah, the issue could stem from a minor plumbing leak, capillary rise from the ground, or condensation from an AC pipe. A proper inspection will pinpoint the cause to prevent it from returning.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 1, 2026 12:47 pm