Is black mold causing my kids' cough and watery eyes?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the black mold behind the bed is very likely the cause of your children's persistent cough and watery eyes. These are classic symptoms of mold exposure, particularly in children who are more sensitive to airborne spores. The high humidity following Dubai's recent storm created ideal conditions for mold growth, especially in cool, hidden areas like behind furniture near an AC unit.

The safest approach requires containment to prevent spreading spores. Do not attempt to scrub or disturb it yourself, as this will aerosolize the spores and can significantly worsen their symptoms. For a patch described as "huge," professional remediation is strongly advised. In Dubai, reputable companies follow international standards like IICRC, which involves sealing the area, using HEPA filtration to capture spores, and safely removing contaminated materials.

After the storm, it's also critical to identify the moisture source. The most common cause is condensation from the AC unit's drain line being blocked or improperly insulated, which is a frequent issue in our climate. A professional inspection can pinpoint if this is the case or if water intrusion from the storm is the culprit. Simply cleaning the mold without fixing the moisture problem will result in its return.

Until a professional can assess, improve ventilation in the room by keeping the door open and running a dehumidifier if possible. Move the children to a different room to sleep to immediately reduce their exposure. For a problem of this scale, a proper inspection and remediation plan is the only way to resolve it safely and permanently.