Cities like Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa are mold magnets, thanks to their tropical climate and constant rainfall. (Study reveals the 150 moldiest cities)

Tampa Bay is highly prone to mold due to its humid subtropical climate, which features year-round high humidity (often 60%-90%), heavy summer rains, and frequent, intense storms. These conditions provide an ideal, warm environment for mold growth, which can begin within 24 to 48 hours, especially in poorly ventilated areas, in AC ducts, and after flooding.

Spring cleanup is the ideal time for a comprehensive mold inspection to address moisture buildup from winter, focusing on checking attics, basements, and under sinks for leaks, water stains, and musty odors.

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Yes, your home can make you sick, a phenomenon often called Sick Building Syndrome, causing symptoms like headaches, allergies, and fatigue that improve when you are away. Common culprits include mold, dust, VOCs from cleaning products, and poor ventilation, which can lead to respiratory issues, sore throats, and dizziness.

Signs Your Home is Making You Sick
Symptoms improve away from home: Sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes that disappear when you leave.
Chronic fatigue or headaches: Feeling tired or having headaches only when inside.
Musty odors: A strong indication of hidden mold growth.
Visible mold/moisture: Damp spots, condensation, or peeling paint.
uHoo
uHoo
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Common Household Health Hazards
Mold and Dampness: Caused by leaks, poor ventilation, or high humidity, leading to respiratory issues.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): Chemicals from cleaners, paints, and furniture, causing headaches and dizziness.
Dust Mites and Pests: Allergens in carpet and bedding that trigger asthma.
Combustion Pollutants: Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves, fireplaces, or furnaces.
Radon Gas: A colorless, odorless, radioactive gas seeping from the ground.
WebMD
WebMD
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How to Make Your Home Healthier
Improve Ventilation: Regularly open windows to remove pollutants.
Control Humidity: Use dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth.
Clean Regularly: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove allergens.
Test for Hazards: Use DIY kits or hire professionals to test for VOCs, radon, and air quality.
Fix Leaks: Immediately address water leaks to stop mold

Is Your Home Making You Sick? Understanding Indoor Air Pollution

When you feel unwell with symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or persistent sneezing, your first thought might be the flu or seasonal allergies. But what if the source of your discomfort isn’t a virus or pollen?

Is your home making you sick? The term “Sick Building Syndrome” refers to a condition where building occupants experience health issues that seem to be linked to time spent in a specific building. While often associated with offices, it can happen in your own home.

Your house, a place of comfort and security, could be harboring hidden air pollutants that contribute to chronic symptoms.

Is Your Home Making You Sick?
Indoor air pollution is a cocktail of contaminants from various sources. Here are some of the primary offenders that could answer, “Is your home making you sick?”

Mold and Mildew: Found in damp areas like bathrooms and basements, mold spores can become airborne and trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems.
Dust and Dust Mites: These common allergens are found everywhere—carpets, bedding, and upholstered furniture—and can cause sneezing, coughing, and irritated eyes.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): From the chemicals in your cleaning supplies to the off-gassing from new flooring or furniture, VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, and long-term health issues.
Combustion Pollutants: Gas stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces can release dangerous gases like carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which can cause serious health effects.
Pet Dander: Tiny skin flakes from pets can become airborne and are a common trigger for allergies and asthma.
Spotting the Signs
If your symptoms seem to improve when you leave the house and return when you come back, it’s a strong sign that your home environment is a contributing factor. Other signs include a persistent musty smell, excessive dust, or a noticeable difference in air quality when you open the windows.

Your Action Plan for a Healthier Home
Identify the Source: The first step is to pinpoint the pollutants. An indoor air quality monitor like uHoo can help by tracking multiple pollutants simultaneously, giving you a comprehensive overview of what’s in your air.
Improve Ventilation: Make it a habit to open windows regularly to let in fresh air and reduce the buildup of pollutants.
Control Humidity: Use a dehumidifier in damp areas to prevent mold growth.
Filter the Air: Invest in a high-quality air purifier with HEPA and carbon filters to capture particles and gases.
By taking these steps, you can turn your house back into a safe haven and ensure your home is a place that promotes, not harms, your health.

Ways Your Home Could Be Making You Sick And How To Test For Them

Your home is the single most comforting place in the world, the place you come to after a long day to relax and spend time with your family. Yet for some, the home is also full of hidden dangers. It’s a scary thought, but many buildings can harbor unsafe mold, radon, pesticides, or mites no matter how careful you are to keep things clean and well maintained. That’s why it’s important to know these dangers and their potential warning signs–if there are any–and how to test for them.



One of the issues regarding these dangers is that sometimes, there is no test that can be done; one must simply be aware of how they feel at any given time. For instance, feeling throat or eye irritation, sinus issues, or a rash that goes away when you’re outside the home can mean the problem lies within.



“These symptoms come and go fairly quickly — you may notice them within an hour or two of entering a building but also notice that they will be gone within an hour or two of leaving a building,” says Robert McLellan, MD, director of Exeter Hospital’s Environmental and Occupational Health Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.



There are other types of issues that create no symptoms, such as radon or asbestos exposure, which can lead to cancer or lung disease. For assistance on how to test for radon, call the National Radon Hotline at (800)-SOS-RADON.



Read on to find out more on the ways your home could be making you sick.



Pesticides and chemicals

Common household chemicals and pesticides can be extremely dangerous if not used correctly or in the hands of children. Laundry soap, insect repellant, and kitchen cleaners can all be hazardous, but the good news is that you can use coconut oil in place of many of these common items. If you have a housekeeper or use a cleaning service, make they’re aware of your preferences.



Lead

If your home was built before 1978, it’s important to have paint samples tested for lead, and if you have young children, you can have them tested for lead poisoning. Ask their doctor about it, and check out www.epa.gov/lead/leadpbed.htm for more information.



Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide can come from many different places, including gas stoves and fireplaces and kerosene heaters, and can cause flu-like symptoms. It’s imperative to install a carbon monoxide detector and keep it well maintained with fresh batteries, just the way you would with a smoke alarm. Always use the exhaust fan when cooking on a gas stove.



Mold

Air conditioners, leaky faucets, humidifiers, and even wet bath mats can cause mold in a home, which can lead to a constant runny nose and irritated throat, as well as other cold-like symptoms. Hang wet items up to dry immediately and wash them as soon as possible. Check for leaks around ceilings and floors and pull up any soiled carpet.

It can be overwhelming and scary to think about these things, but it’s important to be proactive for the health and wellbeing of yourself and your family.

While spring is primarily associated with tree pollen, mold is a significant and often overlooked trigger for spring allergies. As the weather warms, mold thrives on organic debris left over from winter, such as rotting leaves, soil, and plants, releasing spores into the air.
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Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctors in Tuscaloosa
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Here is an understanding of the link between mold and spring allergies:
Why Mold Affects Spring Allergies
Ideal Growing Conditions: Spring brings warmer temperatures and increased rain, creating the perfect damp environment for outdoor mold to flourish.
"Spring Cleaning" Triggers: Molds grow on decaying leaves, compost piles, and wood, which are often stirred up during spring landscaping or gardening activities.
Outdoor-to-Indoor Migration: Mold spores are tiny and lightweight, allowing them to easily float into homes through open windows, doors, and ventilation systems.
Overlapping Seasonality: While many associate mold with fall, it is active in the spring as cold-killed plants decompose.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America | AAFA
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America | AAFA
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Symptoms of Mold Allergies
When mold spores are inhaled, they can trigger an immune system reaction (histamine release) similar to pollen allergies. Common symptoms include:
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Allegra Global
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Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose
Itchy, watery, or red eyes
Itchy skin or rashes
Wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath (especially for those with asthma)
Allegra Global
Allegra Global
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Key Differences: Mold vs. Pollen
Year-Round Potential: While pollen is strictly seasonal, mold can cause allergic reactions year-round if indoors, or whenever it is humid/wet outside.
Environmental Triggers: Mold levels often spike immediately after rain, while pollen counts usually drop.
Location: Indoor mold (bathrooms, basements) can cause symptoms even when outdoor pollen counts are low.
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Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctors in Tuscaloosa
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Tips for Managing Spring Mold Allergies
Monitor Spore Counts: Keep an eye on local air quality reports that track mold, not just pollen.
Keep Windows Closed: Use air conditioning during high-count days to keep spores out.
Use a Dehumidifier: Keep indoor humidity levels between 30-50% to prevent mold growth, especially in damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
Wear a Mask: Use a N95-rated mask when mowing the lawn, composting, or working in the garden.
Clean Frequently: Use mold-killing cleaning products (like bleach and water) on surfaces to eliminate growth.

Did you know mold spores can cause allergy and asthma symptoms just like pollen can?
What is mold?
"Mold" is a general term for many types of fungi, which are plant-like organisms that

Do not have chlorophyll
Do not have leaves, flowers, or roots
Consume organic nutrients
Reproduce from spores

Examples of things that are considered "molds": yeast, smut, mushroom, mold.

-Molds are ubiquitous in the environment, indoors and outside and so they cannot be fully avoided.

-Molds grow in high humidity and low sunlight--think rainy days, musty basements, soil beds, forest floors, etc.

-Molds are an important part of the ecosystem as they "recycle" organic material like fallen leaves, grass clippings, dead animals, and more.

-Molds produce fruiting bodies called spores which are microscopic and can become airborne.  These mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, just like pollen, in people with mold allergy!

-Mold spores can settle onto a surface and produce branches or hyphae that helps it consume organic material from the surface. As a mold grows in this way, it can become visible to the naked eye. Molds can have a variety of colors, including colorless, white, gray, black, yellow, and green.
-As molds grow, they emit organic compounds and vapors that we can detect as a "musty" smell.

-Mold can cause medical problems including mold allergy (itchy/red eyes, nasal/sinus congestion, runny nose, sneezing, ear congestion), asthma (chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, cough), and rarely infections.

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Evaluation by an allergist can help determine if you have a mold allergy.
Measures that can reduce indoor mold exposure:

Reduce relative humidity <50% (don't run a humidifier in the bedroom!)
Repair water leaks quickly
Treat washable surfaces with detergent and water and then allow to dry completely
Remove any mold-contaminated carpet, wallpaper, and/or wood from the home
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Measures for reducing outdoor mold exposure:
Monitor mold/pollen counts and keep windows closed and turn air conditioning on when mold counts are high (typically when the weather is rainy or humid)
Frequent dusting and vacuuming
Minimize dead organic material around the home (fallen leaves for example)
Since molds cannot be fully avoided despite the above avoidance measures, one of the strongest treatments available for mold allergies and asthma is allergen immunotherapy.

‍Mold Allergies: Causes, Symptoms and Relief
More mold. More allergies.

Mold is a diverse and widespread group of fungi that lives just about anywhere. Certain types can cause allergic reactions.
Mold and mildew are tiny fungi. They can live anywhere at any time of the year. So, if you have allergic symptoms that occur through several seasons, you might be allergic to mold.

There are hundreds of types of molds, but not all of them cause allergy symptoms. The most common allergy-causing molds include Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium.

Where does mold grow?
Mold thrives in a multitude of environments, both indoors and outdoors. Some thrive in dry, windy weather, while others prefer damp, humid dwellings. Four primary things contribute to mold growth:

  Air

  Temperature

  Moisture

  Food

Mold allergy causes and symptoms
Once mold finds a place where it would like to live, it starts spreading through spores or seeds.

When the spores are disturbed, either by touch or air currents, they can spread rapidly. They flow around in the air and cause allergic reactions. When you come into contact with mold spores, your immune system treats it as an allergen and releases antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.

Typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose are all ways your body rids itself of allergens.

Tips to minimize mold exposure
I wish we had better news for you, but unfortunately, it’s impossible to to avoid all allergens. However, there are a few things you can do to help reduce mold exposure:

When you’re inside:
Keep doors and windows shut
Use dehumidifiers
Run an air conditioner or air filter with a with HEPA certified filter
Keep your home as clean as possible to minimize mold and mildew — especially in dark or damp areas like basements, bathrooms, and around sinks — and clean using a protective mask when needed
If mold persists, seek the help of a professional service to remove it
When you’re outside:
Avoid outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the evening, when mold spore counts are highest
Wear a dust mask when cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves, and disturbing other plants
Shower after being outdoors
Do not disturb mold unless you’re properly educated on mold removal — Read and follow directions for any mold and mildew cleaning products
Start taking medications as soon as you notice allergy symptoms
Speak to your doctor for more information on allergies

Spring Mold Allergy Season
Spring mold allergy season is one of the most challenging times of the year for people with mold allergies. It usually starts in late February and lasts until early summer when the warm and damp weather triggers mold growth. Molds are fungi that thrive in moist environments, and they release tiny spores into the air that can trigger allergy symptoms in susceptible individuals. In this blog post, we will discuss what causes mold allergies, common symptoms, and ways to manage them during the spring season.

Causes of Spring Mold Allergy Season
Mold thrives in moist and warm environments, and during the spring season, the combination of rain and warmer temperatures creates an ideal environment for mold growth. Mold can be found in outdoor environments like grass, leaves, and compost piles, and it can also grow indoors in damp areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Mold spores are easily transported by the wind and can enter homes through open windows and doors or through ventilation systems.

Symptoms of Mold Allergies
Mold allergies can cause a range of symptoms that can be mild to severe depending on the individual's sensitivity to the mold spores. Common symptoms include:

Sneezing
Runny or stuffy nose
Itchy or watery eyes
Coughing
Wheezing or shortness of breath
Skin rash or hives
Headaches
Fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms during the spring season, it's essential to see an allergist to confirm whether you have a mold allergy or any other allergies. An allergist can conduct skin prick tests or blood tests to diagnose the allergy and recommend treatment options.

Managing Spring Mold Allergy Season
There are several ways to manage mold allergies during the spring season, including:

Reduce Exposure to Mold
Reducing exposure to mold is one of the most effective ways to manage mold allergies. Avoid outdoor activities during high mold count days, usually when it's humid or rainy. If you must be outside, wear a face mask to prevent inhaling mold spores. Inside the home, keep humidity levels below 50% and fix any water leaks to prevent mold growth. Use a HEPA air purifier with a filter that captures mold spores to improve indoor air quality.

Take Medications
Over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays can help alleviate symptoms of mold allergies. However, it's essential to consult with an allergist before taking any medication to ensure it's safe and effective for your specific condition.

Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy or allergy shots can help desensitize the immune system to mold spores over time. The allergist injects a small amount of mold allergen into the patient's arm and gradually increases the dosage until the immune system becomes desensitized to the allergen. This treatment can take several months to several years, but it can provide long-term relief for mold allergy sufferers.

Conclusion
Spring mold allergy season can be a challenging time for individuals with mold allergies, but there are several ways to manage symptoms and reduce exposure to mold spores. If you experience any allergy symptoms during the spring season, consult with an allergist for proper diagnosis and treatment options. With proper management, mold allergy sufferers can enjoy the beautiful weather and outdoor activities that come with the spring season.

Mold Allergy
Mold is a type of fungus that produces spores that float through the air. It can grow on almost anything when moisture or damp environments are present. It can be found indoors and outdoors. Mold is also a common cause of allergy and asthma symptoms.

Not all molds cause allergy symptoms. Some of the most common molds that cause allergy symptoms are:

Alternaria
Aspergillus
Cladosporium
Penicillium
Mildew is also a common type of mold.

Molds are different from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The “seeds,” called spores, travel through the air. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather. Others spread with fog or dew when humidity is high. This makes it easier for you to breathe the spores into your lungs.

Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to the first hard frost. Fungi grows in many places. They can grow both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year-round.

Many molds grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, in compost piles, and on grasses and grains. Unlike pollen, molds do not die with the first frost. Most outdoor molds become inactive during the winter. In the spring, they grow on plants killed by the cold. Indoors, fungi grow in damp areas like the bathroom, kitchen, or basement.

What Are the Symptoms of a Mold Allergy?
Mold spores get into your nose and cause rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms. They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma.

Symptoms can include:

Runny nose (also known as rhinorrhea – usually a clear, thin nasal discharge)
Stuffy nose (due to blockage or nasal congestion)
Postnasal drip (mucus runs from the back of your nose down your throat)
Sneezing
Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth
Red and watery eyes
Swelling around the eyes
If you have asthma and are allergic to mold, you may have allergic asthma. This means mold triggers your asthma symptoms.

Mold allergy can cause an allergic reaction right away. But in some cases, it may cause delayed symptoms. If your symptoms often get worse in a damp, humid, or moldy room like a basement, this may mean you have a mold allergy.

Outdoor molds often cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall. But they may be year-round in warmer, humid climates. Indoor molds may cause allergy symptoms year-round.

Rarely, some people can have a more serious illness called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In this condition, there is both an allergic and an inflammatory (swelling) response in the lungs to the mold or fungus. Symptoms may include severe wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, much like asthma.

Can Mold Affect My Asthma?
If you have a mold allergy and mold causes you to have asthma symptoms, you may have allergic asthma.

Mold is an irritant as well as an allergen. That means mold spores in the air can cause irritation or inflammation (swelling) even if you aren’t allergic to them. This can occur in your eyes, nose, sinuses, and lungs.

To help you manage your asthma and allergies, it is important to reduce your exposure to mold. It may also prevent children in your home from developing asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Common household molds are also linked to childhood asthma.1

How Do Doctors Diagnose Mold Allergy?
‘To diagnose an allergy to mold or fungi, your doctor will take a complete medical history and do a physical exam. If they think you have a mold allergy, the doctor often will do allergy skin tests or a blood test. The doctor uses your medical history, the allergy test results, and a physical exam to diagnose a mold allergy.

What Are the Treatments for Mold Allergy?
In some cases, there may be ways to reduce or avoid mold exposure in your environment. This may not always be possible, and you may need medicines.

Avoid contact with mold. (See tips below.)
Take medicine for nasal or other allergic symptoms. Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays are available without a prescription. If you have allergic asthma, talk with your doctor about which medicines may be best for you. You may also be able to get immunotherapy (allergy shots or tablets). Immunotherapy may help reduce symptoms and medicines and provide more effective long-term control of your symptoms. Learn more about allergy treatments.
How Can I Prevent an Allergic Reaction to Mold?
You can reduce your allergy symptoms by avoiding contact with mold spores. These steps can help:

Reduce your exposure to mold spores outside.

Limit your outdoor activities when mold counts are high. This will lessen the amount of mold spores you inhale and your symptoms.
Remove leaves and piles of dead plant material or tree clippings as soon as possible.
Cover your eyes, nose, mouth, and hair when outside.
Have someone without a mold allergy do yard work, if possible.
Promote groundwater drainage away from your house.
Reduce your exposure to mold spores inside.

Prevent mold and mildew build up inside your home. Pay close attention to mold in bathrooms, basements, and laundry areas. Be aggressive about reducing dampness.
If mold grows, clean it right away. If it grows on a hard surface, scrub the mold off with detergent and water. Let it dry fully. Protect yourself with goggles, gloves, and a mask. You may have to throw away soft materials, like carpet or furniture, if you can’t fully remove the mold. If you use bleach and water to clean the mold, make sure the air is well-ventilated (has proper air flow). Bleach may cause asthma symptoms, so wear a mask or have someone else clean if possible. Don’t mix bleach with other chemicals. This may cause a dangerous chemical reaction.
Increase air flow in your home. Open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and use fans if needed.
Repair roof leaks and roof gutters. Clean out your gutters to remove leaves and debris. When gutters are full or damaged, it can cause leaking.
Fix plumbing leaks as soon as possible.
Use central air conditioning with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® filter. This can help trap mold spores from your entire home. Freestanding air cleaners only filter air in a limited area. Avoid devices that treat air with heat, electrostatic ions, or ozone.
Lower your indoor humidity. Air cleaners and filters can’t reduce mold spores if your home is too humid. If indoor humidity is above 50%, mold will thrive. Use a tool called a hygrometer to measure your indoor humidity. The goal is to keep humidity between 30 to 50%. Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture and keep humidity in your house below 50%. Drain the dehumidifier often and clean the condensation coils and collection bucket. If you use a humidifier, clean the fluid container at least twice a week to prevent mold growth. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can also be a source of mold. Choose a high-quality humidifier that you can easily clean and check for mold growth.
If you have houseplants or potted herbs, only water them when the soil is dry. Here are some other ways to prevent mold in houseplants:
Plant them in sterile soil.
Give them more light.
Use a fan to circulate air around the plant.
Trim dead leaves often.
To reduce mold in your bathrooms:

Use an exhaust fan or open a window in the bathroom during baths and showers. Run the fan for 15 to 20 minutes after bathing.
Remove bathroom carpeting from places where it can get wet.
Scour sinks and tubs at least monthly. Fungi thrives on soap and other films that coat tiles and grout.
Quickly repair any plumbing leaks.
To reduce mold in your kitchen:

Clean garbage cans often.
Clean refrigerator door gaskets and drip pans.
Throw out old produce often before it develops mold.
Quickly repair any plumbing leaks.
Use an exhaust fan when you are cooking or washing dishes.
To reduce mold in your laundry area:

Remove clothes from the washing machine right away.
If you have a front-loading washing machine, clean and dry the rubber seal and inside of the door often. Leave the door cracked open when the machine is not in use.
Don’t leave wet, damp clothes sitting around.
Make sure your laundry area has good air circulation.
To reduce mold in your bedrooms:

Polyurethane and rubber foams seem especially prone to fungus invasion. Use plastic zippered covers on bedding made from these foams.
Throw away or recycle old books, newspapers, clothing, or bedding.
Check windows for condensation (water droplets or mist on the inside of your windows).
Improve air flow through your bedroom. If your closet is colder than the rest of your room, leave the closet doors open.
Use a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® air cleaner in your bedroom.
To reduce mold in your basement:

Quickly repair any plumbing or roof leaks.
Remove carpet. It can hold onto moisture.
Make sure groundwater drains away from your home. Remove leaves and dead plants near the foundation and in the rain gutters.
Use a dehumidifier if necessary.
What Should I Do If My House Floods?
If your home has flooded, you need to act quickly to prevent mold. This could include anything from a busted pipe to a natural disaster. To prevent mold, your home needs to be completely dried out within 24 to 48 hours. This includes carpet, furniture, books, and walls. If these items are not completely dry, mold can hide.

If you are not able to dry your home out right away, you should assume you have mold. The presence of mold can affect your health. Protect yourself well before attempting to clean up mold. If possible, use a professional mold remediation company. They can clean up the mold while preventing the mold spores from spreading.