Do you have a damp home? Many Britons do, and some of them view damp as a fact of life in the UK. But if your – or your family’s – health isn’t quite as good as you’d like it to be because of persistent allergies, coughs, colds, rashes, fatigue or headaches, you shouldn’t share their opinion. Damp isn’t just a harmless quirk of the British experience: it can cause all kinds of common health problems. Here’s how.
Black Mould
Black mould is the number one health risk associated with a damp environment. It is common in poorly ventilated bathrooms, but is also seen growing on walls and ceilings where rising or penetrative damp is a problem. This kind of mould may look low-key and harmless, but it releases spores and produces toxins known to cause a number of medical conditions. So if you live in a damp home and have asthma, persistent allergies, eczema, recurrent chest infections or even just a lot of coughs and colds, black mould could be the culprit even if you can’t see it.
It’s important to note that black mould is especially dangerous for babies, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems, such as people undergoing cancer chemotherapy. If your household includes people in these high-risk categories, you should consult a damp specialist without delay.
House Dust Mites
You probably already know that house dust mites are bad news for your health. These microscopic insects feed on dead skin—yes, the stuff which flakes from your body—and deposit their droppings throughout your home. It is these droppings which cause health problems: in susceptible people, dust mite allergy triggers an intensely itchy rash that can be extremely difficult to treat. Additionally, people who’ve become sensitised to dust mites have a greatly increased risk of developing asthma.
What is less well known is that house dust mites love a damp environment. If your home is damp, you’ll be hosting more mites, and that means you’ll also have more of those allergenic droppings to worry about. But the good news is that addressing the underlying cause of your damp will also reduce the quantity of dust mite allergen present.
Other Airborne Chemicals
Materials used in the construction of your home release vapours into the air, which you and your family can’t avoid breathing in. Under normal conditions these are present in low amounts. But in a damp environment, the concentration of these chemicals tends to be much higher.
Although the health risks of airborne chemicals are not great, they are suspected of contributing to ‘sick building syndrome’, a phenomenon characterised by niggling headaches, general fatigue, coughs and colds. Health impacts may be even more significant on people already suffering as the result of mould and house dust mites. Solving your damp problem leads to a reduction of volatile compounds in the air you breathe, so it makes sense to tackle the issue at a fundamental level.
Damp can affect the structural integrity of your home, but it’s also a health problem. If your household includes vulnerable people such as babies, the elderly or those with pre-existing illnesses, the risks are even greater. Damp isn’t something you should have to live with: if you have a damp problem, contact an expert immediately and find out how they can help you create a happier, healthier home environment.
