Damp House Linked to Kids' Risk of Nasal Allergies

Children who live in damp, water-damaged homes may be more likely to develop nasal allergies, a new study suggests. Researchers found that of nearly 1,900 children they followed for six years, those who lived in homes with dampness or mold problems were more likely to develop allergic rhinitis during the study period. In this study, published online July 16th in the American Journal of Epidemiology, 16% of children whose parents reported dampness in the home developed allergic rhinitis over the next six years. That compared with just under 12% of children whose parents reported no dampness problems -- that is, no visible signs of water damage to the ceilings, walls or floors, and no visible mold or mold odor in the home. The researchers weighed a number of factors that might help account for the connection, including families' socioeconomic status and whether children were also exposed to second-hand smoke. However, damp, moldy conditions in the home remained linked to an increased risk of children's nasal allergies. Children whose parents reported any mold or water damage in the home at the outset were 55% more likely than other children to develop allergic rhinitis -- connected to any allergen, not just mold. Such conditions encourage the growth of dust mites and fungi, and attract cockroaches -- all of which can serve as allergy triggers. Moisture may also boost the emission of chemicals from building materials, which could potentially create inflammation in the airways.