Is mold causing my kids' cough and runny nose?« Back to Previous Page

Mold exposure is a common trigger for the symptoms you're describing, especially in children. The persistent cough and runny nose, combined with the damp feeling and visible black spots, strongly suggest a connection. In Dubai's high humidity, air conditioners can often spread mold spores from a hidden source throughout a room, continuously exposing occupants.

Your first step is to address the immediate source. For a small, contained area (less than one square meter), you can carefully clean it yourself with a mixture of detergent and water, wearing an N95 mask and gloves. Ensure the room is well-ventilated and keep your children away from the area during and after cleaning. However, given the persistent dampness in an older Deira building, the mold behind the wardrobe is likely just the visible sign of a larger problem. The dampness indicates a potential humidity or condensation issue that will cause the mold to return unless the root cause is fixed.

For your children's health and to prevent recurrence, a professional assessment is advised. They can identify the moisture source—whether it's a leak, rising damp, or insufficient AC drainage—and assess if the mold has spread inside wall cavities or the AC unit itself. In the UAE, reputable inspectors use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find hidden dampness and can take air or surface samples for lab analysis to identify the mold species. This is crucial for understanding the potential health risks and for crafting an effective remediation plan, not just a superficial cleaning. Start by improving ventilation in the room immediately and consider using a dehumidifier while you arrange for an expert to diagnose the underlying cause.