Could mold in our closet cause my kids' coughing?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, mold in your closet could absolutely be the cause of your kids' persistent coughing. The black and green fuzzy spots you describe are a clear sign of active growth, and the damp feeling confirms high humidity—a perfect environment for mold. In Dubai's climate, this is a common issue in closets on exterior walls or in rooms with poor air circulation, where condensation can form even with AC running.

The constant coughing is a classic reaction to mold spores in the air, which act as irritants to the respiratory system. Children are often more sensitive to these irritants, leading to cold-like symptoms that don't seem to go away.

Your first step is to isolate the problem. Keep the wardrobe closed and the bedroom door shut to prevent spores from circulating into the rest of the home. Do not attempt to clean the moldy clothes with bleach or other DIY solutions, as improper agitation will release a large cloud of spores. Instead, carefully seal the affected items in plastic bags for a professional mold remediation company to assess and clean.

For the health of your family, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They can identify the moisture source—often a small condensation leak from an AC unit's drain line or inadequate insulation in the wall—and assess the full extent of the growth, which may have spread into the wall cavity. Proper remediation involves containing the area, removing contaminated materials, and using HEPA filtration to clean the air, not just wiping surfaces. A reputable company will provide before-and-after air quality test results from an accredited lab to verify the home's air is safe.