Can You Get Mold In Your Lungs

Getting Rid Of The Damp And Mould

7 Causes of Increased Mucus in Your Lungs (Clearing Congestion)

Get rid of the mould and damp. You may be able to do this yourself, or you may need help from a professional.

1. Damp

The building may need repair work to make sure there are no water leaks causing problems with dampness.

Heating and ventilation are both very important.

Make sure that the building is well-ventilated either by regularly opening windows, or by using a fan ventilation system. When showering, bathing or cooking, open a window, use an extractor fan and close the bathroom or kitchen door.

A dehumidifier may also help to reduce the amount of water vapour in the air.

You should also avoid drying clothes by hanging them up indoors, as this adds moisture to the air. Use a tumble dryer or hang up laundry to dry outdoors instead. If drying your clothes indoors is your only option, use a dehumidifier in the room.

Keep the building at a suitable temperature. The World Health Organization recommends between 16-20°C in bedrooms, and between 19-22°C in the rest of the house. When away from the building, keep the temperature above 15°C.

2. Mould

Once damp has been dealt with, it is time to remove mould.

Fabrics close to the source of mould could be contaminated. All affected items will need to be disinfected or, preferably, replaced.

Ralf, Germany

How Can I Address Mold Toxicity

Most experts agree that the best treatment for mold toxicity involves two main steps. First, youll want to remove yourself from environments with toxic mold. Then, youll want to take steps to get rid of any mold in your environment.

Other treatment options focus on easing symptoms of mold exposure rather than on removing it from your system. Unless you develop an infection, your body will likely take care of removing the mold on its own.

When it comes to managing the effects of mold, you have many options, including prescription options, over-the-counter treatments, and natural remedies.

What Are Signs Of Mold In Your House

What are the signs of mold?

It has a musty, earthy smell.

There’s a nearby source of moisture, but not much light.
You see warping, cracking, or peeling of whatever material it’s growing on.
A drop of bleach lightens its color in a minute or two.

Unchecked, mold will continue to grow. Dirt and old stains won’t.

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What Are The Signs Of Mold In Your House

Musty smells are a tell-tale sign of mold. Another common indicator is visible signs of water damage.

As mentioned earlier, mold grows fast. Within 24 hours of a water leak, or a flood, mold will begin to take hold. This mold can grow on anything thats humid walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and even wet laundry.

When there is a chance of mold, its important to have a professional in to test. Professionals qualified to do environmental investigations can:

Check the surfaces of your house for mold

Test the air for spores
Help you to identify sources of moisture
Identify where the mold is growing and help you decontaminate your house

Use natural enzymes to kill mold spores

If you dont get rid of all sources of mold, you risk getting sick from it.

Can Mold Cause Cancer

Youve probably heard about the link between exposure to mold and cancer, but how do you know if the claims are true? The news usually blames certain kinds of mold, such as Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, and Aspergillus fumigatus, for making us sick. There is no hard evidence linking these species to serious illness, and researchers are still trying to understand their effects. Listed below are some of the most common types of mold.

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Need A Water Mitigation Mold Assessment Or Mold Remediation

Schedule your service today, so we can get your home back to good health.

Mr. Mold, Inc. is the only restoration company in South Florida offering medical-grade remediations, advanced genomic-level mold assessments, 24/7 emergency water mitigations, post-fire restoration, as well as support, resources, and awareness for the CIRS community.

If You Do Not Own The Building

Living, working or studying in a building that is affecting your health can be frustrating â especially if you are not directly responsible for maintenance.

You should speak to your landlord, housing association or building manager, employer or the school administration about the issue so that they can take appropriate steps to solve the problem. In each case, these people have a duty of care to you.

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What Does It Cost

Black mold removal costs can vary based on where it is located in the home and how large of an area is affected. If the size of the coverage area is small, you could probably pay as little as $500. However, if the area of black mold coverage is large, you could pay up to $4,000. If your attic or air ducts are affected by black mold spores, then you are going to pay $2,000 to $6,000 for removal.

What Species Of Mold Is Most Likely To Grow On The Lungs

What Happens If You Breathe In Mold Spores?

The most common type of mold that will grow in the lungs is called Aspergillus.

Look:

Aspergillus is a very common species of mold. If you live in hot and humid state than it will be very common to not only find some Aspergillus spore types in your home but also outdoors.

But just like anything in life, its all about it being present in moderation, although I will say if you have an allergy to Aspergillus you would want to keep that number to as close to zero spores as you possibly can.

The only way to truly know if you are allergic to Aspergillus is to get tested by a doctor who specializes in mold-related illnesses.

Aspergillus will generally be at high levels in your home when water damage to building materials is present which is why it is extremely important if you experienced any kind of water damage in your home, you call a water damage restoration company or mold specialist immediately!

Can A Mold Allergy Cause Shortness Of Breath

Severe mold allergies cause more severe symptoms, including shortness of breath. Mold exposure may also worsen asthma or lung problems in people with preexisting lung conditions. A 2012 study found that infants and young children exposed to mold in the home had an increased risk of developing asthma by the age of 7.

Studies Done In The Lab

Tests on several different rodent species, using different methods of exposure, have confirmed that asbestos causes cancer in animals. All forms of asbestos have produced tumors in animals, but the size and shape of the asbestos fibers influence the incidence of tumors. Smaller, straighter fibers seem more hazardous, perhaps because they are more likely to reach the deepest parts of the lungs.

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Is Mold Dangerous To Breathe

Normally when we come across mold whether in our home or somewhere else we recoil, perhaps gag and then set about getting rid of it or simply walking away. And whilst mold is, unarguably, a less-than-favorable sight to behold, the real concern can actually be a lot more serious, depending on the person and the type of mold found. So, what can breathing in mold actually do?

Mold produces allergens, irritants and sometimes, even, toxic substances, depending on the type. Some people are more sensitive to mold, for example, babies and the elderly, those with existing skin and respiratory conditions and those with a weakened immune system. For these people, breathing it in may cause a blocked nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, skin itchiness, headaches, fatigue or eye irritation, according to a 2004 study by the Institute of Medicine and others.

Prevent Mold Growth With Routine Maintenance

To prevent mold growth, we suggest using a dehumidifier during the warm months and providing your home or business with the proper ventilation. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. Clean surfaces with mold-killing products.

Keep your humidity levels below 50 percent. Humidity levels shift throughout the day. Inspecting your structure for mold growth is an important part of routine building maintenance.

Seek treatment from a doctor soon as you notice any eye irritation, skin irritation or other common symptoms after exposure to mold, especially when symptoms persist. Its better to be safe than sorry. ECOS Environmental is happy to step in and test your home or business for mold and assist with the cleanup and renovation.

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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.

Effects Of Breathing Black Mold Spores

Inhaling black mold spores can have no effect on some people and dramatic effects on others. The effects of breathing black mold spores depend on several factors, including the following:

Overall health. People who have mold allergies, asthma or other immune conditions are at higher risk for adverse reactions to mold exposure.
Age. Infants, young children and the elderly are more likely to experience negative health consequences after inhaling mold spores.

Mycotoxins and mVOCs. Although mold spores can cause sickness on their own, they are more dangerous to health when they carry mycotoxins and mVOCs.
Exposure. People who live or work in buildings with black mold are at a higher risk for developing mold-related illness than people who are only briefly exposed.
Genetics. Research indicates that certain genetic predispositions can make someone more susceptible to black mold toxins.

Even if the spores are from the same mold colony, they can trigger drastically different reactions in people. In general, people with asthma, autoimmune diseases and chronic respiratory conditions are more vulnerable to the effects of breathing black mold spores than others.

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Actress Suzanne Somerss Misdiagnosis

Actress Suzanne Somers is no stranger to this information. In 2009 she ended up in the hospital for six days. After having a CAT scan, she was told by her doctors that she had cancer everywhere in her body. They informed her the cancer was in her lungs, her liver, and her chest. She said the doctors told her you have so many masses in your chest we cannot count them. On the sixth day in the hospital, they performed a biopsy which revealed the tumors werent cancer after all. Those masses were fungus. She said in an interview that she is now thankful to God she did not start chemotherapy before the biopsy.

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How Do I Know If There Is A Problem In My Building

5 Ways to Detox and Cleanse Your Lungs Naturally

If you are worried that there may be a problem with mould and damp in your home, workplace or school, look out for the following:

Age of building damaged, older buildings may be more likely to have problems with damp due to issues like rising damp or leaks. On the other hand, new buildings may also have damp due to condensation, or if the water used during building is still drying out.
Wet basement this could be a sign of rising damp.

Water damage due to leaks.
Visual signs or smells of mould and damp.

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How Long Does It Take To Recover From Mold Exposure

As you kill the mold and there are less organisms in your body, you will start to feel better. It took my husband six months to become free and clear of mold while it took me a year and a half. Even though I am currently back on my detox regimen due to a new mold exposure, which is another story, I feel good.

Fungal Infections In Lungs And Cancer: Common Symptoms

When an individual suddenly develops symptoms such as fever, chest pain, and cough, the healthcare provider may initially prescribe antibiotics. However, if symptoms do not improve after a course of antibiotics, they may undergo further imaging tests to determine the source of the symptoms.

These imaging studies may show nodules or other abnormal findings in the lungs, and these findings may appear suspicious for lung cancer. If this is the case, they may be referred to a lung doctor for further evaluation and possibly a biopsy. A biopsy can determine if the suspicious area found on the imaging is in fact lung cancer, or if it is an infection.

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Health Effects Of Black Mold

Are you worried about black mold? Despite fearing black mold, many people dont actually understand its implications for human health. If youre one of those people, it may be time to educate yourself on the topic. Research suggests that as the climate changes, black mold could become more prevalent in homes.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency , regions of the U.S. will experience heavier rains, hotter weather and more frequent and intense natural disasters in the coming years. These weather events will likely accelerate wear and tear on homes and cause water damage that leads to mold growth, including black mold growth.

Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to reduce mold and avoid sickness. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to run a high-quality air purifier for mold. Keep reading to learn about the health effects of black mold and how to prevent mold sickness.

Need a powerful air purifier for mold? Air Oasis purifiers drastically reduce airborne contaminants, including mold, allergens, VOCs, smoke, viruses, bacteria and more. Visit our online store today and start breathing easier.

What Is Farmers Lung Disease And What Are The Symptoms

There is a name for this sensitivity to mold and its known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or HP. The HP develops over time, and Farmers Lung is the most common form. Its a serious allergic reaction to mold spores in the air, often found in crops and hay. The mold spores become attached to the dust particles and are inhaled while farmers work with crops. Farmers can inhale up to 750,000 spores a minute!

Symptoms are most severe immediately after contact and continue if treatment is delayed. Those who work around potentially moldy crops are more susceptible to Farmers Lung disease. These cases account for over 30% of adults disabled by respiratory illness.

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Chemicals From Plastics And Other Products

Some people are concerned about bisphenol A . This is a chemical found in some types of plastic bottles. BPA also is used to line the inside of some types of food cans and other containers. A study has shown that people who have high levels of BPA in their urine have a greater risk for heart disease. footnote 14 And a group of experts concluded that bisphenol A may have some effect on the behavior, brain, and prostate gland of a developing baby ( fetus , footnote 16 If you are concerned about BPA, dont use bottles marked with the number 7 or the letters PC near the recycle symbol. You can use glass or BPA-free plastic bottles instead.

In the past, a group of substances called polychlorinated biphenyls were used in electrical equipment, plastics, and dyes. Although they are no longer made in the U.S., they remain in the environment. Exposure to PCBs has been linked to health problems, especially mental functions such as memory and attention in children. footnote 17 Exposure to PCBs also has been linked to sperm problems in men. footnote 18 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides information about PCBs at www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/index.htm.

Chemicals called phthalates may cause problems with the reproductive organs of infants and young children, especially boys. Phthalates can be found in some plastic items and in products such as powders, lotions, and shampoos. footnote 19

Do I Need To Get Medical Treatment

In many cases, exposure to toxic mold doesnt require medical treatment. If you experience cold-like symptoms after exposure to potentially toxic mold, these symptoms will likely fade on their own with no long-term effects once you remove yourself from the environment with the mold.

Generally speaking, your overall risk of long-term health effects related to mold exposure is fairly low. That said, experts still have more to learn about the possible health effects of mold exposure.

For this reason, its still important to avoid long-term exposure to potentially toxic mold and promptly address signs of mold in spaces you spend time in.

Reaching out to a healthcare professional may be a good option if you:

have a compromised immune system due to another health condition
have significant trouble breathing
live with cystic fibrosis

As for a mold detox? Contrary to some beliefs, theres typically no need to go on a cleanse or detox in order to heal your body after exposure to mold.

Heres why: When functioning optimally, your body constantly detoxes itself and its very efficient at this task.