Could mold in closet cause kids' persistent cough?« Back to Previous Page

The mold in your closet could definitely be the cause of the persistent cough and runny noses. Mold releases spores and microscopic fragments into the air, which are irritants to the respiratory system. Children are often more susceptible because their airways are smaller and their immune systems are still developing. The high humidity we experience in Dubai, especially during summer and in the recent weather, creates the perfect damp environment for mold to thrive on cold exterior walls.

You should take your children to a doctor to address their current symptoms and rule out other potential causes. Simultaneously, you need to deal with the mold source. A small, visible patch might be cleaned with a vinegar or diluted bleach solution, but given its location on an exterior wall, this suggests a potential condensation or moisture intrusion issue that needs to be professionally identified and resolved to prevent it from returning.

For a case like this, a professional inspection is recommended. They can assess the extent of the growth (which is often worse inside the wall cavity), identify the moisture source, and provide a remediation plan that includes proper containment and air scrubbing to prevent spreading spores throughout your home during cleanup. A certified company with its own microbiology lab can also test the mold to identify the species, which helps determine the potential health risks and confirms the cleanup was effective. Simply cleaning the surface without fixing the underlying dampness problem will lead to it coming back.