With the recent Midwest flooding, health problems are occurring along with the damage the floods are causing. All the moisture is causing mold and mildew to grow and providing a breeding ground for it that is hard to combat. Those with mold and mildew allergies may find that their symptoms are getting worse during this time.

Buildings are acting like sponges and absorbing water, especially those made of sheetrock. Once the water is absorbed, it can get into the walls, floors, wallpaper, furniture, anything that it is in contact with. Many things can’t be saved and will have to be thrown out, or structurally rebuilt.

In this article, Dr. H. James Wedner of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis says after the water recedes, damp homes and businesses are fertile grounds for mold growth, which can cause allergic reactions and asthmatic symptoms.

“Mold loves water,” says Wedner. “When your building is flooded, it’s very difficult to dry it out quickly and completely, and that allows mold to grow. Walls made of Sheetrock soak up water far above the floodline, and mold can be hidden under wallpaper, carpet and floorboards and in ceiling tiles, furniture and clothing.”

Symptoms of mold include itchy eyes, sneezing, headaches, coughing and more. People with asthma may find their symptoms exacerbated during this time, too. Treatment is important, whether it is following a daily regimen or implementing a new allergy plan consisting of antihistamines, steroids, or whatever works best for you.

Thorough cleaning of your house and items is essential, and experts recommend that if something can not be cleaned well enough, it may have to be thrown out. Mold has a distinct smell as well, which can be hard to erase from a building.

Some other tips from Dr. Wedner are as follows as found in this Science Daily article:
• dry it out quickly — mold will grow almost immediately in wet conditions;
• cool it down — mold likes warmth as well as humidity;
• remove wet materials — wet Sheetrock can’t be repaired and must be taken out;
• clean anything that has been wet — that includes clothing, which should be dry cleaned;
• throw away anything that can’t be thoroughly cleaned — that favorite couch might have to go;
• hire a professional to clean affected areas of the building with appropriate materials — often a solution of 10 percent bleach is used.

We are thinking of those of you affected by the floods; our thoughts and prayers remain with you.