The Surprising Ways Mould Can Affect Your Health and Your Fitness Routine

Published - 24th Feb

With allergies being the most common chronic disease in Europe, it’s clear that many people are affected. However, it’s important to realise that along with food allergies, hay fever, and pollen, mould can also present a major problem for people's health and wellness, and especially so if you happen to be allergic or sensitive to it. Knowing how mould exposure can affect your health and even your fitness routine can help you to follow the right steps in eliminating the problem.

The health effects

Mould is a type of fungus that thrives in damp environments, and the health effects can be profound depending on the person. This is because mould can produce allergens, irritants and even toxic substances (depending on the type) that can be potentially harmful to the body. However, some people are more sensitive to mould than others, and those who are can experience a range of symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, itchy, watery eyes, and a runny nose. Mould exposure can be especially harmful to those who have weak immune systems or respiratory conditions like asthma, as it can trigger a flare-up or even a severe asthma attack.

Mould and your fitness routine

If you workout at home, mould can seriously affect your fitness routine if it’s present. In fact, because of its side effects, especially for those who have compromised immune systems or preexisting respiratory conditions like asthma, mould exposure may lead to the inability to stay active. This is because the side effects of mould exposure such as difficulty breathing, coughing, or itchy, watery eyes can cause you to feel like you can’t get through a fitness routine — whether it be running on the treadmill or yoga. Because mould can have such a profound impact on your day to day life, it’s important to get it under control as soon as possible.

What you can do

In order to prevent the side effects brought on by mould exposure, removing the mould is the best option when it’s present in your own home. In circumstances where you suspect there might be mould in your home gym or throughout the house, calling a professional to do a mould inspection and safely remove any mould is always a great idea to take care of the issue properly. Preventative measures can also be taken to prevent the recurrent growth of mould in your home, such as ensuring the proper ventilation throughout the house or fixing leaky pipes or roofing. A dehumidifier can also help in areas that are difficult to keep dry, such as the basement, and can help combat mould in the long run.

Mould exposure can cause some serious health effects when present, and especially so for someone who has mould allergies or is particularly sensitive or more at risk. For such reasons, it’s important to remove any mould in your home that may be affecting your day to day life, and your fitness routine.