Damp or mould in the house is a common occurrence, especially if you've been hit with periods of heavy rain.

It develops in parts of the home where there is lots excess water, such as bathrooms, and it can be tricky to remove.

Of course it can be an awful sight to look at, but it can also affect your body and health.

The NHS has compiled information about the causes of damp and mould and how it can harm your body - particularly breathing problems and allergic reactions.

Find out what it can do to your health, as reported in the Liverpool Echo .

Can damp and mould affect my health?

According to the NHS Choices website, yes it can. This is because, if you have damp and mould, you're more likely to have or develop respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.

Who's affected?

Some people are more sensitive than others, including:

  • babies and children
  • elderly people
  • those with existing skin problems, such as eczema
  • those with respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma
  • those with a weakened immune system

These people should stay away from damp and mould.

What health problems can it cause?

Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances.

Inhaling or touching mould spores may cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash.

Moulds can also cause asthma attacks.

What are the causes of damp and mould?

Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture. Moisture in buildings can be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames.

A newly-built home may be damp if the water used when building it is still drying out – for example, in the plaster on the walls. Excess moisture indoors can also be caused by condensation.

If you have mould or damp, it's important to find out why you have excess moisture in your home.

When you know what's causing the damp, you can make sure your home is repaired or take steps to limit the moisture in the air. You may need to get a professional to remove mould for you - but, if it's only a small amount, you may be able to remove it yourself.

How can I get rid of damp and mould?

The easiest to deal with are leaky water joints or bathroom spillage. You can see the damage, and often figure out the problem. It could be a DIY job – tightening up a joint or resealing a shower tray. Ignoring this could bring down plaster or rot woodwork.

Condensation is next easiest to treat. It’s caused by warm air meeting cold so it’s worse in winter. Windows kitchens and bathrooms are most likely to suffer with damp. Left untouched, it turns into damp and black mould. And possibly brings a nasty smell as well.

The emergency treatment is wiping walls and windows dry. Then look for the cause. It’s often bad ventilation – blocking up chimneys and draught-proofing doors can be the culprit.

Turning the heating high and then low – rather than maintaining a constant midway temperature – may also produce condensation.

Covering radiators with wet clothing might also be a cause.

But a cure could be as simple as unblocking an external airbrick – perhaps earth or rubbish has piled up.

Putting in an extractor fan is often helpful in kitchens and bathrooms – these cost anything from £20 to £200 (plus fitting) depending on location, size and type. Or you could try a dehumidifier. These extract the damp from the room – a good one (and the cheapest may not be best) costs about £400.

Penetrating damp is more serious – and harder and more costly to treat. Signs include damp or black patches on walls which are worse during rainy periods. It may be caused by structural problems such as broken guttering or downpipes, a roof needing repair or replacement , or cracks in external walls. This is generally a “call the builder” rather than a DIY job so the cure is rarely cheap. Finding where the damp enters and treating that usually provides a solution.

Rising damp is probably the most costly and difficult to deal with. Symptoms include damaged skirting boards or plaster, peeling paint and wallpaper, and wet patches. You may also have problems with floor coverings.

It’s caused by ground water moving up through a wall or floor – it will be there even in summer.

This is usually because your damp-proof cause is faulty – anything from earth or rubbish breaching it to a complete failure. It’s expensive to replace but without adequate damp course protection, your home is unhealthy – and could be unsellable.