Moldy clothes causing persistent coughs; urgent doctor visit needed?« Back to Previous Page

Based on your description, you should consider a doctor's visit for your children and treat the storage room as an urgent indoor health issue. Persistent coughing in multiple family members, especially children, alongside visible mold growth and a musty odor, strongly indicates that the mold is a likely contributor to their respiratory irritation.

In Dubai's climate, the high humidity, even indoors, allows mold to thrive on organic materials like cotton and wool, particularly in closed, poorly ventilated spaces like storage rooms. The "damp feel" you describe confirms a moisture problem. The priority is to stop their exposure. Remove the moldy clothes immediately, sealed in plastic bags, and wash any unaffected items in hot water if the fabric allows. Do not attempt to clean the heavily contaminated items yourself, as this will release a high concentration of spores into the air you breathe.

For the room itself, a professional inspection is highly recommended. The visible growth on your clothes is likely just the tip of the iceberg; spores will have settled on walls, ceilings, and other contents. A certified inspector can identify the moisture source (often condensation from AC ducts or a minor leak) and assess the full extent. Remediation involves containing the area, removing contaminated materials, and using HEPA filtration to clean the air, which is not a DIY task for this scale.

A doctor can assess your children for allergic reactions or irritation, which are common, and rule out other causes. Be sure to tell them about the mold discovery. For the home, addressing the root cause is critical to prevent recurrence, even after professional cleaning. Improving ventilation in that room and using a dehumidifier can help maintain a dry environment.