Could mold under our carpet be causing our coughs?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold under your carpet is very likely causing the persistent coughs and worsened allergies in your Sharjah apartment. The constant high humidity in our coastal climate, combined with potential condensation from AC units and lack of airflow under carpets, creates a perfect environment for mold growth. When disturbed, it releases spores into the air you breathe, directly irritating the respiratory tract.

For a patch you describe as "huge," professional remediation is strongly advised over DIY. Attempting to remove it yourself risks aerosolizing a massive amount of spores, which could significantly worsen your family's symptoms and spread the contamination throughout your home. Professionals use containment barriers, HEPA filtration scrubbers, and specialized PPE to remove the mold safely.

The first step is a proper inspection to identify the moisture source—it could be a historical spill, rising damp, or condensation—and assess the full extent. Remediation is only successful if the underlying water issue is fixed. In the UAE, look for providers who can both remediate the mold and provide a verified, post-clearance test from an independent microbiology lab to confirm the spore count in your air has returned to a safe level. This documentation is crucial for your peace of mind, especially with children affected.

Until help arrives, try to lightly mist the area with water to temporarily weigh down the spores and avoid using the room if possible.