Is mold causing my husband's allergy symptoms?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the black spots in your Mirdif villa are almost certainly mold, and they are a very likely cause of your husband's stuffy nose and itchy eyes. These are classic symptoms of mold exposure, which irritates the respiratory system and can worsen existing allergies.

The dampness you've felt since the January rains is the key. In Dubai, exterior walls can absorb moisture during rare heavy rain events. When the heat returns, that trapped moisture migrates inward to the cooler, air-conditioned interior, creating a perfect breeding ground for mold inside closets and behind furniture. The year-round AC use creates constant temperature differentials that lead to condensation, especially on poorly insulated external walls.

Your first step is to stop the moisture source. Move everything away from that wall to allow air circulation. Run a dehumidifier in the room if you have one; this is critical for drying the area out. Do not attempt to scrub the mold yourself, as this can aerosolize the spores and worsen your husband's symptoms.

For a case like this—visible growth on a structural wall following a water intrusion event—a professional inspection is strongly advised. They will use moisture meters to find the exact extent of the dampness and can take samples for lab analysis to identify the mold species, which determines the appropriate remediation method. Proper remediation involves isolating the area, removing the contaminated materials, and treating the space to ensure it is truly resolved. Addressing the underlying dampness is the only permanent solution.