What Are Signs Of Mold Exposure

Signs Of Mold Illness

by Dr. Michele Neil-Sherwood | Health Tips

Mold is a big problem in most homes, but many people are unaware of the problem. Of course, everyone looks at the shower curtain, under the sink, or in the basement when he or she think about mold issues, but mold can grow just about anywhere.

Mold can be found in drywall, in the roof , and even in ones Christmas tree. One study found that Christmas trees can breed mold, quietly releasing millions of spores into the room causing winter allergies and asthma attacks. Studies have found that indoor air quality dropped six-fold over the 14 days a Christmas tree typically decorates a room.

There are 1,000 types of mold that can be found growing in the modern American home. Scientists classify these molds based on the effect they have on humans and other living things.

Mold Exposure Signs Of Mold Growth & Health Risks Of Indoor Mold

Have you ever been affected by mold? Mold, especially indoor mold exposure is a major health issue that can affect many people and have varying health effects from person to person. Mold is a natural occurring part of the environment that can travel and spread from different environments including your indoor living space or home. It spreads and grows by releasing mold spores into the air that will begin to travel throughout close by areas, therefore impacting a number of different environments.

In recent years, attention has been gathered on the increased concern of human health and its correlation with mold inside your home & workplace. Mold is estimated to cover about 25% of the worlds biomass, with about 100,000 fungal species of mold identified . Therefore, mold exposure is a likely occurrence that could take place in your home that could significantly impact your health.

How Mold Testing Works

There are two different kinds of professional-grade tests that experts tend to utilize to look for mold infestations. Both of them involve taking a small sample of material, which is then analyzed in a lab for traces of mold spores or the presence of mycotoxins. Urine test kits, as their name implies, require a small volume of urine from a human . These kits are used to determine if a person has a mold infestation in their body.

Meanwhile, home test kits require a small amount of dust or detritus from a buildings air conditioning or heating unit filters. Its not uncommon for professional environmental inspectors or mold remediators to use both kits in tandem after experiencing water damage, as they provide differentbut equally crucialinformation.

There is a third type of mold testing kit on the market its the kind that folks frequently see in hardware and big-box stores. These kits are designed to detect mold spores in the air, and they usually consist of a petri dish filled with microbial growth medium. The dish is exposed to the air for a set period of time in order to collect samples, and then its sealed and allowed to incubate. The idea is that any mold spores captured by the dish will then grow, allowing them to be seen and studied.

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How To Handle Mold Exposure

First, the best way to improve air quality is to circulate the air with outdoor air. This involves opening windows and using fans. A next step would be to clean your home to remove any dust and debris that might be causing the reaction. During the cleaning process keep an eye out for mold. If you notice any mold you should schedule a laboratory mold test. If you do not notice any mold, see if cleaning home causes the issues to subside. If you continue to have the issues, consider hiring a mold inspector. Using special equipment they can discover if you have mold within your walls or in hard to find areas.

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

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Who Is Most At Risk For Health Problems Associated With Exposure To Mold

People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections. Individuals with chronic respiratory disease may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.

They Could Be Anywhere Inside Your Home

Black mold contamination is higher in cereal grains, dehydrated fruits, and tree nuts. Some usual plant hosts of this group include soybean, maple, pine, oak, and walnut. Exposure to black mold can still be possible after many years because the spores maintain its viability using a protective covering.

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Are There Different Types Of Mold Allergies

You can be allergic to molds in the air, and you can be allergic to molds in foods. Some food allergies related to mold include mushrooms, certain types of cheese, fermented foods, some wines and food products that contain vinegar.

There are also many different types of mold that can cause allergies. Some common ones include _Alternaria, Aspergillus, _Cladosporium and Penicillium. There are also toxic molds that can cause very serious illnesses. An example of a toxic mold is Stachybotrys, which is known as black mold. In addition to allergies, aspergillus can cause infections known as aspergillosis.

Summary Of Health Problems

Many types of indoor mold, not just black mold, may cause health problems in some individuals.

Long-term exposure to high levels of mold in the home, however,

People who are most at risk of the symptoms of mold exposure are:

• infants and children
• people with allergies or asthma
• people with weakened immune systems

The main health risks related to mold exposure are allergies and irritation, which typically cause respiratory symptoms.

People with weakened immune systems may also have a risk of fungal infection.

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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.

Warning Signs Of Black Mold Exposure

10 Important Warning Signs of Black Mold Exposure by BlackMoldRemoval.com

I need to know if mold or mildew can cause chronic or acute hives?

Ive been living in HUD apartment for over a year now, Ive complained to the apartments numerous of times about the mold. Shell come and look and say well I dont see any holes or leakes so I dont know where it is coming from. Ive showed her pictures of mold on my kids cloths, my shoes, on our furnice and on the vents. She says the vents are like that because of the moisture and it looks more like rust then mold. Witch is not true. My house reakes of a moldy sitting water smell. And I honestly dont know what to do. I have a 19mth old who is constantly sick and we dont know why, and my 2mth old has breathing problems witch she didnt have in the hospital. Please help me figure out what I can do.

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How Does Mold Impact You

Mold can be transmitted in a variety of ways, though most commonly through the respiration of tiny spores or fragments of the fungus. Exposure depends mostly on the quantity of mold in the air, which is determined by several factors, including moisture levels and spore size. Once someone has been exposed to mold, they can experience anything from severe symptoms to nothing at all.

Toxic mold exposure can affect everyone, but certain people are more susceptible than others. People with weakened immune systems , individuals with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, allergies, or COPD, and anyone in close proximity to an outdoor fungal spore release are at an increased risk for more severe symptoms and mold-related illnesses. Its even possible for someone who is not sensitive to mold specifically to be affected.

Other Issues Brought On By Mold And Mildew

Allergens, mold and mildew can present various other wellness dangers to at-risk individuals. For example, mold can trigger infections of the skin or mucous membranes. Normally, however, mold and mildew dont create systemic infections except for individuals with impaired body immune systems, such as those who have HIV/AIDS or who are taking immunosuppressant medication.

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Symptoms Of Mold Allergy Signs Of Mold Exposure

Mold allergy causes similar signs and manifestations that happen in other kinds of upper respiratory allergies. Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis brought about by mold allergy can include:

• Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
• Dry, scaly skin

Mold allergy indications change from one person to another and range from mild to severe. You may have all year side effects or symptoms that flare up just during specific occasions of the year. You may see symptoms when the weather is damp or when youre in indoor or outdoor spaces that have high concentrations of mold.

Other Problems Caused By Mold Signs Of Mold Exposure

Other than allergens, mold may present other health dangers to sensitive individuals. For instance, mold may cause contamination of the skin or mucous membranes. Generally, mold doesnt cause systemic infections aside from people with impaired immune systems for example, those individuals who have HIV/AIDS or who are taking immunosuppressant medication.

Mold is an incredibly serious problem and should be dealt with quickly and effectively. Remember, mold can develop anyplace, on the surface, including clothing, carpets, food, the insides of walls, pipes, ceiling, and the list goes on and on. Just make sure to attend to any water problems or moisture build-up immediately, which is also very crucial. If you let moisture sit is a surefire way to invite mold growth.

In any event, something as simple as a wet towel on the floor can cause issues. One of the best approaches to stop mold development in its tracks is to invest in a dehumidifier. There is a wide range of types and sizes of dehumidifiers, so its critical to discover one that is suitable for your space

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Effective Treatment For Symptoms Of Mold Exposure

Get Your Home Tested Properly

Proper mold inspection requires hiring an experienced Indoor Environmental Professional that uses various testing techniques to ensure there has not been water damage leading to mold growth in your home. When someone is sick in the household, the degree of mold testing needs to be more comprehensive than if someone was doing a general home inspection. I have witnessed mold inspectors miss water damage and mold growth in patients homes because they did not do a thorough investigation, or used the wrong testing methods.

Proper testing for mold helps to establish the scope of work for remediation. It is a conflict of interest to hire an inspector who also does remediation. However, most reputable inspectors can recommend a contractor who specializes in mold remediation.

To find a certified IEP in your area, visit www.acac.org and look for CIEC and CMC certifications. You will also find certified remediators with CMRS and CMR designation.

Treatments for mold Illness

Prescription medications and supplements referred to as binders are used to reduce the mycotoxin burden in the body. Technically these compounds do not bind mycotoxins, but they adsorb like static cling. Mycotoxins are secreted with bile from the gallbladder into the intestines. Mycotoxins adhere to binders in the intestines and then excreted through the stool.

Glutathione in Treating Mold Toxicity

Reduce Inflammation in Mold Toxicity

• Transfer Factors Enviro

What Should I Do If I Have Any Of These Symptoms Of Mold Exposure

Your first port of call is your doctor. He or she can rule out other health problems that might be causing your symptoms. Know that a physician cant diagnose mold exposure using just blood or urine tests. Youll need to have your home or workplace inspected by professionals. You might think that you can simply check with your family or colleagues to see if they exhibit similar symptoms. But unfortunately, some people are more sensitive to mold than others. So you might develop symptoms and the guy in the next cubicle is none the wiser.

Your doctor will prescribe a program of treatment. But there are things that you can do to help:

• Don a protective mask and gloves to clean any visible mold in your home.
• Report the mold to the building manager if its in your workplace.
• Keep on top of mold growth to stop it from releasing as many spores.
• Run a dehumidifier in the bathroom or kitchen to make them less attractive spaces for mold to grow.
• Once youve removed the visible mold, have your air ducts cleaned regularly.

If youve recently had mold removed from your home call Fresh Aire Duct Cleaning at 275-5556 or contact us online to schedule a duct cleaning service in Los Angeles! You need to make sure youre not simply transmitting mold spores around your home.

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Does This Sound Familiar

While allergic reactions to substances like peanuts and bee stings are unmistakable, a mold allergy certainly sounds a lot like just being sick. Mold allergies are not just uncomfortable but deceptive as well. Diagnosing a mold allergy can be challenging because its so easy to mistake it for a cold, the flu, or another upper respiratory infection. What sets a mold allergy apart?

Can Mold Affect My Asthma

If you have a mold allergy and mold causes you to have asthma symptoms, you may have allergic asthma. With this condition, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores.

Mold is an irritant as well as an allergen. That means mold spores in the air can cause irritation or inflammation even if you arent 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

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Mold And Babies: Harmful Effects Of Molds To Children

Home » Blog » Mold And Babies: Harmful Effects Of Molds To Children

Your children will always be your top priority. And thats why youd go to great lengths to make sure your home is the safest place for them to live.

But what if your home becomes a breeding ground for dangerous molds?

What do you do?

Knowing the terrible effects that mold exposure can have on your kids is essential. Mold can develop in hidden areas. They can grow inside air ducts, drywall, on wood, carpets, paper, or anywhere thats continuously exposed to moisture like under the kitchen or bathroom sinks.

You may not be able to see them until its too late.

But if you see these symptoms manifest in your children, you could at least consider mold as the culprit. That way, you can call in the experts to locate and deal with the problem.

So, lets talk about the harmful effects that molds have on children.

Effects of Mold on Childrens Health

Babies and small children are at a stage where theyre still developing their immune systems. So, while you or any other healthy adults may not suffer from the effects of mold, your kids are always at risk.

Note: Its still possible for adults with weakened immune systems or those who are allergic to mold to experience these symptoms.

The main thing you need to know is that the diseases that are associated with molds are common among children. Its easy to dismiss mold symptoms as nothing serious.

Here are a few:

Allergic Reactions

To be clear:

Respiratory Problems