How Can You Tell If Theres Mold In Your Lungs
If your exposure to mold is fairly minimal, chances are you may not even experience any symptoms. For more prolonged cases of exposure, the symptoms are generally recognizable across the board: sneezing, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or discomfort, and shortness of breath are all strong indicators that there are mold spores in your lungs.
The issue here is that all of these symptoms can be found in a variety of illnesses or allergic reactions, so it can be difficult to directly pin down mold exposure as the cause. Pay close attention to your symptoms, as well as when they started and how they change. Make a mental note of when you discovered mold growing around you, how long you were around it and whether or not you had any protection . If you fear at all that there may be mold in your lungs, dont hesitate contact medical professionals and let them know whats going on. Its always better to be safe than sorry.
Mold exposure can potentially cause serious problems, but most healthy people have nothing to worry about aside from some uncomfortable, temporary symptoms. If youre worried about mold in your home, contact your local professional to learn what you can do about it.
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How To Remove Black Mold
Protect yourself. You don’t need to worry about having mold tested if you find mold in your house. But you should get rid of it no matter what type of mold it is. Take precautions to protect yourself before you attempt to remove mold.
Use an N-95 face mask to avoid breathing in mold spores. Wear gloves to protect your hands and goggles without ventilation holes to protect your eyes.â
Find and destroy the mold. The most important part of removing mold is finding and removing its water source. Mold can’t grow without moisture. Keep the following tips in mind when you’re cleaning up mold:
- Items that can’t be dried quickly should be discarded if they show signs of mold or water damage. Porous items such as carpet, padding, drywall, and paper soak up moisture.
- Do not paint or caulk over moldy surfaces. Remove the mold and dry the surfaces before you paint. Paint applied over mold will peel.
- Use plastic sheeting to block an area with mold from the rest of your house and keep the spores from spreading.
- Scrub hard surfaces with mold with detergent and water and dry them thoroughly.
- Put any moldy items in a plastic bag before you take them out of the room to prevent mold spores from spreading.
- Use a HEPA filter in your air conditioner and furnace to capture mold spores that may be airborne in your house.
- Consult a specialist if you’re not sure of the best way to clean a valuable or sentimental item.â
Can Mold Cause Headaches Learn More About Your Hvac System
18/04/2022 15:07
Household mold is not only unsightly but can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and other symptoms. Chronic headaches or migraines can be symptoms of various other health problems.
In some cases, mold exposure from a malfunctioning HVAC can be the culprit behind frequent headaches.
Can mold cause headaches? Yes. However, there are several other factors to consider if you suspect you have a mold-related illness.
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Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Airborne Mold In House
How Can You Find Out If Your Home Has Mold
The most obvious way to tell if you have mold in your home is simply to look around. Mold tends to grow where there is dampness5, so check the ceiling in your shower, your attic, and your basement. If one side of your home is always shaded, its also possible that you might have mold on the siding if the siding is wood or otherwise permeable, it could leach inside of the space between the exterior and interior walls, so this should be investigated.
Another sign you might have mold is a musty or mildewy smell. If you are smelling it in any area of your home, its likely you have mold growing somewhere near that space. If you cant see it, you might need to have a professional come in and take a look.
Finally, testing is a way to determine not only whether you have mold spores but also what kind you have and how much mold you have in your home. Its best to hire a mold specialist who does not also offer remediation, as you can avoid a conflict of interest and the possibility of paying for remediation that you dont actually need.6
What If I Already Have Mold In My Home
If you already have mold in your home, contact a professional mold remediation service today. A mold remediation service will inspect your home for any signs of moisture or water damage, which can lead to the growth of mold. They will then use specialized equipment to remove all traces of mold from your home.
Recommended Reading: Can You Get Tested For Mold Exposure
Can Mold Exposure Be Lethal
If you are wondering, can you die from breathing in mold?, you are likely not alone. Mold exposure can be frightening.
It is important to know, however, that most mold exposure is rarely deadly.
Exposure to molds, even some toxic molds, is unlikely to be life-threatening.
Although exposure can present adverse health effects, it is most likely not lethal.
Suspecting Mold in your Home?
Call for a Risk Free estimate from a Licensed Mold Remediation Specialist in your area.
We Can Help Get rid of the Mold & Prevent it from returning.
How Can Mold Affect My Health
Many molds can cause health effects. Molds produce allergens, irritants and,sometimes, toxins that may cause adverse reactions in humans. A reaction tomold depends on how much a person is exposed to, the age of the person and thepersons sensitivities or allergies. The same amount of mold may causehealth effects in one person, but not in another.
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who havetouched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions such as arunny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash and itching. Molds can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic tomolds, causing wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. A diseaselike pneumonia may also develop after exposure to mold, but this is uncommon.
Infectious diseases from molds can occur in people with weakened immunesystems, such as those who are immune-compromised or immune-suppressed fromdrug treatment. Some types of mold are known to cause infections inimmune-compromised people. Such infections can affect the skin, eyes, lungs orother organs. These are considered opportunistic infections that usually do notaffect healthy people.
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Who To Call For A Mold Inspection
One may also choose to hire a mold inspection service to test their home for mold. This option does come with a bigger price tag, averaging about $400 for a mid-size home under 4,000 square feet.
In homes with a more severe mold infestation, the average cost of the inspection may go up considerably should the inspector be required to remove parts of a wall or floorboard to see the true extent of the mold damage.
Mold inspection professionals can be found in your local area by doing a Google search for mold inspection services in < insert your city and state here> .
Your Head + Mold = Pain
Let me be crystal clear, the connection between mold and headaches isnt clearly established. If youre a patient, be prepared to get a lot of pushback from your family physician. Mold illness still isnt recognized as a disease, let alone a cause of headaches or migraines.
If youre a practitioner, youll likely get a lot of pushback from your colleagues and respective colleges. In the context of headaches, we cannot conclusively say mold is the cause. But thats no reason for you to give up on further investigating toxic mold illness and CIRS in your patient populations.
There have been studies published that do strongly show the connection between sick building syndrome and headaches/migraines. What these studies dont show is whether or not its mold thats causing the headaches. It could be. But these studies did not isolate mold as the sole cause of headaches.
There are studies that show molds profoundly negative effect on the central nervous system . Headaches are, of course, one symptom strongly associated with central nervous system abnormalities. Mold has been found to enter the CNS through inhalation, IV drug use, surgery, and even via contaminated medical supplies.
Another study found that those with irritation/inflammation of the mucous membranes inside their nose had a significantly higher prevalence of headaches and migraines. Those with rhinitis have often had mold exposures.
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Learn Your Mold Headache Treatment Options
Learn about your treatment options, call a new patient care coordinator at , or schedule a consultation with an integrative wellness physician to learn more about our integrative holistic approach to treating Lyme Disease, Mold Toxicity, & other complex diseases,
The clinic is located at 300 State St E #222, Oldsmar, FL 34677, near the Tampa International Airport . Environmental-friendly lodging and safe housing are available on-site at the clinic for out-of-state and international patients, as well as select on-site wellness amenities for weekly program patients and their loved ones.
What Happens If You Breathe In Mold & What To Do
Do you suspect mold is growing in your home or on your belongings?
Worried you might be breathing in mold & it might be dangerous to your health?
In this guide, you will learn:
- The health effects of mold exposure & How much Mold Exposure is Harmful,
- The Signs and Symptoms of what breathing in mold can do,
- How to treat mold spores growing in your lungs.
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The Problem With Office Vents
While the main job of an office air conditioner is to cool down the air, it also simultaneously acts as a dehumidifier. This function is critical because cool offices that also feel humid will become a health hazard. Initially, it may cause foul odors in the short term, but eventually it will become an excellent breeding ground for a wide range of mold and mildew.
Because workers do not have control over the thermostat, excessive dehumidifying can be caused by powerful air conditioners. This often creates problem environments in many office buildings, especially ones that are otherwise unventilated. In fact, its been estimated that toxic mold and similar indoor pollutants contribute to more than half of many office workers illnesses, and are up to 5 times more dangerous in enclosed spaces than the same pollutants when outside in the fresh air.
What Does Mold Poisoning Feel Like
Mold toxicity is a more advanced mold problem, and the symptoms may exceed the common allergy-like symptoms such as sneezing, watering eyes, and skin rash. The human body may have an inflammatory reaction to toxic mold exposure caused by the mycotoxins in mold.
The symptoms of chronic inflammation are as follows:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Numbness and tingling in extremities
- Severe dehydration and thirst
- Metallic taste in the mouth
The above symptoms of toxic mold are only a few of the many experienced by those who have suffered from mold exposure and can be difficult to diagnose.
Also Check: How To Cure Mold Allergies
Could Mold Be Affecting Your Mental Health
Contributed by: Jane Sandwood
What does mold toxicity look like?Mold toxicity can manifest in different ways in people. Its more commonly linked to physical problems, such as difficulty breathing, fatigue, and headaches, but research shows that it can present itself in a psychiatric way, too. This includes brain fog, depression, anxiety, problems concentrating, and insomnia. Some people present just physical or psychiatric symptoms, while others can get a mix of the two. This means that people are seeking and receiving treatment for a mental illness that only exists because of their exposure to mold. Research has also found that a vulnerability to mold toxicity is present in 25% of the population, which is often due to a genetic predisposition. Due to this, a family can be living in the same home and only one person presents symptoms.
Understanding the link between mental health illnesses and mold exposure can help a huge amount of people assess whats causing or exacerbating their symptoms. Eliminating mold exposure can help peoples health to improve all-round, but its important to remember that it can take several weeks for this to be seen, depending on how much mold has built up in the body.
Are All Molds Bad For My Health
No, not all molds are considered bad for your health. Some molds are actually beneficial to the environment, such as those used in the production of cheese and other food items. However, there are some types of mold that can cause health problems, particularly for people with allergies or weakened immune systems. If youre concerned about a particular type of mold, its best to consult with a doctor or other medical professional.
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How To Get A Free Mold Inspection
Although there are mold testing and mold remediation services that do provide free mold inspections, they arent providing this free service out of the goodness of their heart. Like any business, they are in it for the money.
There are certainly very reputable mold remediation services that may provide free mold inspections, but be aware of what could happen with some not-so-trustworthy services.
Just like auto repairs, its in the companys best interest financially to find problems where perhaps problems dont truly exist.
Be aware of services that try to alarm you by telling you that you have mold in your home. The truth is, all homes have mold. Mold spores are in the air and come into homes through open doors and windows, as well as from our clothes and our shoes.
Of course, you want to trust the service that you ultimately choose to do your mold testing for you. Between now and the time of your appointment, make every effort to educate yourself about in-home mold.
Research what a mold problem looks like, know if you can handle a small mold problem on your own, and when its recommended to hire a professional for mold remediation.
For Help With Mold Removal
If you need assistance with mold removal, Environmental Protection Agency recommends engaging mold remediation professionals that comply with the guidelines established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Many offer free consultations and home inspections, so you can benefit from some expert advice whether or not you opt to handle the mold removal yourself. Follow this link to find qualified mold remediation professionals offering free consultations in your area.
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A History Of Flooding
One final sign that you might have toxic mold in your home can be found in the structures history. Homes that have a history of flooding are prime targets for mold. Homes that are in tropical environments in the southeastern part of the country are more prone to mold than northern homes. After a flood, the puddles of water might be gone, but the dampness remains. That moisture hidden behind walls and in basements is the perfect breeding ground for mold. If your home has flooded more than once, then there could be a mold outbreak hidden from sight.
Q: Can Mold On Toothbrush Make You Sick
A: Yes, mold on toothbrushes can cause health issues such as asthma, sinusitis, and allergies. The best way to prevent mold from growing on your toothbrush is to keep it clean and dry. If you do not want to throw away your toothbrush, then you should soak it in hot water for 10 minutes. After soaking, rinse it thoroughly with soap and water.
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What Are Mycotoxins
Other metabolites, called mycotoxins, are potent substances produced by somemolds. People can be exposed to mycotoxins through inhalation, ingestion orskin contact. Many molds, including species commonly found indoors, are capableof producing mycotoxins. The existence
or identification of a toxin-producing mold indoors does not mean thatbuilding occupants have been exposed to mycotoxins or that they are evenpresent, since molds do not produce them under all conditions. Mycotoxins cancause a variety of adverse health effects, but more research is needed todetermine the health risks posed by mycotoxins in indoor environments. However,it is clearly advisable to avoid exposure to mold and mycotoxins.
Who Is Most At Risk
- People with respiratory problems
The dangers of mold heavily depend on underlying health conditions and mold sensitivity or allergies.
There are some individuals in whom mold is dangerous to inhale, while others may experience no symptoms.
While there is no general guideline to gauge how much mold exposure is harmful, a key factor to consider is the level of exposure.
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The Health Effects Of Mold On Children
· Updated 09/13/2019
Although mold awareness has increased considerably in recent years, it still often happens that people who are suffering from mold symptoms dont realize it, assuming that they have hay fever or a cold. It is quite difficult indeed to define whether a symptom is mold-related or not, as the relation between the harmful microorganisms and many health issues is not yet proven and needs further studies to be confirmed. Nevertheless, if you have mold in your home and a member of your family is feeling sick for no logical or apparent reasons, the noxious fungus is almost certainly the culprit.
Mold may be making you sick without you even realizing it.
Mold produces tiny, lightweight spores which not only initiate new mold growth but also compromise the indoor air quality. When inhaled, these spores cause the immune system to respond by creating allergic reactions as a natural defense against the foreign particles entering the body. This response, however, can result in various health problems and severe allergic symptoms. Different people react to mold exposure in different ways, but children, seniors, and sickness-prone people are usually most vulnerable to the negative effects of mold. The type and severity of the symptoms depend on the types of mold present in the home and the extent of mold exposure, but youngsters whose immune systems have not yet fully developed can be at risk for really serious complications.
