Is Mold Bad For Your Lungs

What Happens If You Breathe In Mold

Mold is commonly found both indoors and outdoors, and chances are that you breathe it in more often than you realize.

When mold spores make their way into your body, your immune system immediately tries to rid the body of the mold.

Physically, these symptoms could look like coughing or sneezing.

These symptoms could worsen, however, depending on the level of exposure and your sensitivity to mold.

Thankfully, these symptoms typically only last as long as you are exposed to the mold, or if the mold spores stick around in your body.

Everyone reacts differently to mold exposure, and there are several factors that come into play when gauging the severity.

I Found Mold Growing In My Home How Do I Test The Mold

If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk.

Top Tips For Controlling Mold

It’s impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores in your home, but because mold spores can’t grow without moisture, reducing moisture in your home is the best way to prevent or eliminate mold growth. If there is already mold growing in your home, it’s important to clean up the mold and fix the problem causing dampness. If you clean up the mold but don’t fix the problem, the mold will most likely return.

Following is some advice for reducing moisture throughout the home with specific tips for the areas most prone to dampness and mold growth:

Around the house:

In the kitchen:

• Use exhaust fans to move moisture outside whenever you are cooking, washing dishes, or cleaning.
• Turn off certain appliances if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
• Check for leaks around the kitchen sink, refrigerator ice makers, and other sources of water. Repair if necessary.
• Empty and clean refrigerator drip pans if necessary.

In basements and crawl spaces:

In the laundry room:

• Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
• Make sure the vent is clear of obstructions, such as lint, and that there are no holes that leak air. If the vent duct is damaged, replace it with a metal duct. Have the duct cleaned at least once a year.
• Avoid leaving damp clothes in the laundry basket or dryer. Wash and dry them promptly.

In bathrooms:

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How To Clean Mold Out Of Lungs

Q: Dear Dr. Mao,After a few days of sleeping in a friends basement, I woke up with pain in my lungs that occurred when breathing. I was told that there had, at one time, been mold there, but that it had been cleaned up. How can I clean out my lungs?

A: First, I would like to suggest a possible alternative cause for the pain. In youth there are often slight pleural effusion pains due to the growth of the chest cavity. The pain is a normal result of the lungs growing and pushing against the pleural cavity. This notwithstanding, it is possible that you may have been exposed to mold or fungal spores. In that case, the best thing to do is to have your lungs checked for an infection. Fungal infections can cause complications when left untreated. Seek advice from a licensed acupuncturist/herbalist to help with a prescription to clear the lungs. They will also prescribe breathing exercises that can help. One such exercise is the bellows breath exercise, which I often prescribe. It is done in the early morning in fresh clean air outside. Stand facing east, feet shoulder width apart, slightly bent at the knees, and arms draped at your sides. In short bursts , inhale clean air and likewise in bellows blow out the air in short bursts through the mouth. When exhaling, direct the flow to the ground in front of you and slightly bend forward. Repeat 31 times, taking care not to hyperventilate.

What Is Mould And Damp

Mould is a type of fungus that grows in damp areas. It releases tiny particles called spores that can be harmful when breathed in.

Mould and damp are found in buildings where there is excess moisture, poor ventilation and/or lack of sunlight. This could be caused by any of the following:

• Leaking pipes, roofs or window frames

• Rising damp â where water from the ground is absorbed into the walls in basements or ground-level rooms

• Condensation â where humid air comes into contact with cold surfaces indoors and collects as drops of water

• Water used as part of building work that has not fully dried out yet

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Discovering What Aspergillosis Is And How It Happens

Aspergillosis is a condition that is characterized by either an allergic reaction or infection of the lungs due to the inhalation of mold. The most common type of mold that causes this condition is aspergillus fumigatus, which can live and grow in both in and outdoor environments. Its important to note that inhaling mold usually doesnt cause mold growth in the lungs for average, healthy people. However, those diagnosed with lung conditions, allergies, and/or immune system issues are prone to the development of aspergillosis. While aspergillus fumigatus can grow on food and waste, its most often found indoors in A/C units that havent been properly maintained with cleaning or those which leak excess water.

How Can You Tell If You Have Mold In Your Lungs

Fungi are predominantly available in the air which leads to allergic reaction inside at home and outside at work. The term mold consists of various kind of fungus which can be eukaryotic micro-organism. Molds are unique in a structure which could be fruiting body also called spores which cannot be seen with naked eyes. If a person inhales the spores of the mold, hypersensitivity or allergic reactions occur in the lungs. These reactions cause symptoms such as rhinitis, cough, and inflammation of the airway. Mold allergy causes more severe symptoms in patients who are already suffering from breathing disorders such as asthma.

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I Heard About Toxic Molds And Black Molds That Grow In Homes And Other Buildings Should I Be Concerned About A Serious Health Risk To Me And My Family

There is always a little mold everywhere in the air and on many surfaces.

Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins . Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. Not all fungi produce mycotoxins and even those that do will not do so under all surface or environmental conditions.

Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. Color is not an indication of how dangerous a mold may be. Any mold should be removed and the moisture source that helped it grow should be removed.

There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.

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Who Is At Risk

Its commonly assumed that mould causes the health problems described above, though the evidence for this is generally weaker than for dampness itself. This may be related to the fact that scientists are still struggling to accurately measure indoor mould exposures.

The WHO estimates that in cold climates, 15% of dwellings have signs of dampness and 5% have signs of mould problems. In warm climates, the estimates are 20% for dampness and 25% for mould.

Since dampness is more likely to occur in houses that are overcrowded and lack appropriate heating, ventilation and insulation, the prevalence of damp indoor problems in low-income communities and rental accommodation can be substantially higher.

Climate change and its effects on the weather are likely to further increase the proportion of buildings with damp problems.

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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.

Exposure To Mould Can Have An Impact On Your Lungs Particularly For People With A Lung Condition Like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Bronchiectasis Or Asthma And Whether You Have A Pre

Mould loves damp conditions so the aftermath of a major weather event, such as a flood or storm, provides the perfect breeding ground. So steps can you take in protecting your lungs from mould? There are steps you can take in your daily life and following a significant weather event to prevent mould growth and reduce your risk of exposure to mould.

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

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!

More on Aspergillus later.

How Common Is Mold In Buildings

Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.

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How Is Aspergillosis Diagnosed

Your doctor will probably ask you about your medical history, including the type and duration of your symptoms and whether you have a cough or a fever. It may be difficult to diagnose the condition, because symptoms may resemble those of other diseases.

Some of the diagnostic tests that may be required include:

• Skin and blood tests: These tests are useful to diagnose ABPA, especially in cases where the patient has asthma, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis. The doctor or technician injects a small quantity of aspergillus antigen into the skin, usually the lower arm. A small red bump at or near the site will show that you have an allergic reaction. In addition, a sample of your blood might be analyzed to see if certain antibodies are present that indicate an allergic reaction.
• Imaging tests: A chest X-ray or computerized tomography scan may be performed to examine the lungs.
• Sputum culture: A sample of sputum might be stained and tested to see if aspergillus fungus is present.
• Biopsy: A small sample of tissue is removed from the lungs or sinuses to diagnose invasive aspergillosis.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Mold Allergy

Mold spores get into your nose and cause rhinitis symptoms. They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma.

Symptoms can include:

• Mucus in the throat
• Asthma symptoms if you have allergic asthma cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness

Mold allergy can cause an allergic reaction right away. But in some cases, it may cause delayed symptoms. This can cause a stuffy nose or asthma symptoms that get worse over time. 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 response in the lungs to the mold or fungus. Symptoms may include severe wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, much like asthma.

Food fungi, like mushrooms, dried fruit, or foods containing yeast, vinegar, or soy sauce usually dont cause allergy symptoms in the nose, eyes, and lungs. Reactions to food fungi are often caused by the foods direct effect on blood vessels.

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How Can Dampness And Mold Problems Be Fixed

• Identify and eliminate the water problem. The most critical step is to identify and eliminate the source of the water that is creating a damp environment. You may need technical assistance from a plumber or contractor to determine what needs to be fixed or changed.
• Determine the extent of the problem. EPA recommends calling for professional help to clean any mold growth that covers more than 10 square feet. If you are unable to determine the extent of the problem, contact a professional, who can help you protect your family.
• Remove, clean or discard affected materials. To get rid of mold, wash it off materials that can be effectively cleaned, such as hard surfaces. Use detergent and warm water. Dry the surface completely. If the materials cannot be cleaned or are too damaged to reuse, discard them. Porous materials, like ceiling tiles, likely cannot be cleaned thoroughly and must be discarded.
• Protect occupants and workers during the cleanup process. At minimum, wear an N-95 mask , disposable gloves and goggles.

If water build up was caused by sewage, floods or other contaminated water, call a professional.

For more information on guidelines for safely cleaning up mold, visit the EPA’s mold clean up site.

Page last updated: August 24, 2022

Mold And Babies: How Mold Can Affect Your Baby

Most babies encounter a case of the common cold, a headache, runny nose, etc. Its perfectly normal! You take your baby to a doctor, get some meds and everything gets better. However, when do these common cold symptoms go from normal to scary? Consistency. If the prescribed medicine from the doctor does not work, you will begin to raise your eyebrows. What if the symptoms begin to worsen? Im sure that many questions and concerns will come to mind. And you should be concerned because this could be a mold problem. And as Im sure you know, mold and babies do not make a good combination.

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How Long Do Mold Symptoms Last

The tricky thing about mold exposure is that its different for each person. The amount of time mold exposure symptoms persist depends on:

• What type of mold they are exposed to,
• How long the exposure has been,
• How well their bodies eliminate toxins

Those who process toxins well can see their symptoms disappear as quickly as a few days.

Others who eliminate toxins slowly can experience symptoms for much longer. They could be ill for months or even years after the source of mold is eliminated.

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Rental Properties With Mould Issues

When a rental property has mould, the owner should fix any mould caused by faults in gutters or other fixtures, but the tenant should ensure that extractor fans are used when available and the home is aired regularly where possible.

Sometimes, the cause of the mould growth may be due to a building fault that may not be easily rectified.

If as a tenant, you have taken measures to make sure the building is properly ventilated and mould is still growing, you should raise the issue with the owner.

Information on mould in rental properties is available on Consumer Affairs Victorias website.

on Tel. .

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Bad Mold Vs Good Mold

Wondering whether some molds can be of any good like good bacteria? Yes. They are not bad always. Because of their pharmacological activity, some of the mycotoxins are useful as antibiotics.17 Under correct conditions, some molds are also used in the production of cheese. But, you cannot eat the fungi that grow on the cheese at home. They may result in allergic reactions. Outdoors, molds are considered to be a good thing. However, inside your home, if they find a sustainable food source to grow they become dangerous.