Monday, March 25, 2024

What Are The Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure

Black Mold Is Toxigenic

10 Warning Signs of Mold Toxicity in Your Home – Black Mold Symptoms

Certain molds prove toxigenic, which means that they produce mycotoxins that cause ill health effects. A little mold is everywhere, but not all mold is poisonous. That doesnt mean you should ignore mold.

Most are familiar with black mold, which is toxigenic and produces mold spores. These form colonies and grow with other spores. High concentrations of these mycotoxins can cause mold poisoning in healthy people, too.

Mold poisoning is also known as mycotoxicosis. This condition affects the upper respiratory system with harmful cold or flu-like symptoms. Additional symptoms due to mycotoxins can prove fatal. Thats especially true for those with severe allergies, asthma or other conditions.

Green-black mold is also harmful. Its found on paper, dust, lint, fiberboard and other low-nitrogen content materials. It can develop and spread after water leaks, floods and condensation.

Until you know more, treat all molds the same due to the potential long-term side effects and health risks. Take mold growth seriously. You will usually see the mold colony and smell the signature musty smell.

Black Mold Exposure Can Damage Your Circulatory System

Black mold spores can be inhaled, consumed, or absorbed through a persons skin or eyes. When mycotoxins find their way into the bloodstream, mycotoxins have the potential to cause serious damage.

Symptoms of circulatory system damage from black mold include:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Bleeding in the brain

How Can I Prevent Black Mold

As we mentioned before, the easiest way to prevent black mold is to regulate the humidity in your home or office. It could be as simple as keeping your windows open, or you might need to buy a dehumidifier for certain areas. If a room is prone to mold, though, it might be best to buy a dehumidifier.

Keeping your rooms clean is also a helpful step to prevent black mold. The bathroom, in particular, needs special attention. As you get out of the shower, notice whether or not the walls are damp in your bathroom. Make a habit of drying the walls if you think they are especially damp. Also, be sure to clean the surfaces of your bathroom often. The bacteria that accumulates in a bathroom can help encourage black mold growth.

Finally, regularly check your pipes, gutters and air conditioners for leaks. If you dont know what to look for, call an expert. Fixing any water leak is the best way to ensure black mold doesnt grow around you.

If you have more questions about black mold or mold remediation in Portland, feel free to contact us. Our expert team is ready to help you however we can.

Matthew Micheletty

Matthew Micheletty

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How Can I Check For Mold

Its best to hire a professional to help you identify and remove mold, especially if youre allergic or vulnerable to it.

You should also consider hiring help if the mold covers more than 10 square feet or if its hidden behind wallpaper, ceiling tiles, or other areas.

Here are some steps for identifying and removing mold.

Black Mold Symptoms In Toddlers

Pin on Black Mold Symptoms

Each one of us wants to make this world a better place to live in for our children. But are our children safe even inside their home? Unless we keep our houses clean and free from any kind of fungus we cannot ensure better health conditions for our children. Black mold is one of the most dangerous elements that can cause different types of allergies, breathing problems and lots of other harm to your child. Black mold symptoms in toddlers depend on the severity of the exposure of the toddlers to the black molds. The toddlers usually do not have a developed immune system which makes them prone to serious complications due to molds.

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Save $25 On Your First Air Purifier

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Neither the information nor any Air Oasis products are intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or illness. Quantified results from use of Air Oasis products listed on this website are based on testing conducted in a controlled laboratory environment. Actual results may vary and can be effected by variables such as ventilation, natural air flow, and humidity levels.

Identifying Mold In Your Home

  • Appearance or dark spots or clusters. Look for spots or clustered growths, especially in warm, moist rooms.
  • Musty smell. You may be able to identify mold by a musty smell.
  • Allergies or asthma. If you experience asthma attacks or allergy symptoms in your home, that may also indicate theres mold.
  • Potential causes. Look for causes of mold growth, like a leak, water damage, lack of ventilation, or old food, papers, or wood.

Read Also: How Long Does It Take For Black Mold To Grow

How To Get Rid Of Black Mold

Trying to remove a black mold infestation from your home DIY-style is not advised if you dont use the proper techniques and equipment, you run the risk of disturbing the mold colony and releasing millions of mycotoxins into the air.

Doing this could worsen your homes indoor air quality and cause serious damage.

Since black mold is potentially dangerous, it is safer to contact a professional mold remediation company. Alternatively, you can ask for help from an individual with experience to get rid of black mold for you.

Professionals will be able to tackle the contamination with advanced knowledge and equipment. Ultimately, this ensures your household remains a safe and healthy place to live without risking further damage to your home, family, or pets.

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

Symptoms of Mold Exposure and Mold Illness from Toxic Black Mold Exposure

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.

Also Check: Does Mold Make You Dizzy

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 Causes Black Mold Exposure

Exposure to black mold happens all the time because mold is everywhere. However, mold usually is not dangerous at the levels present in normal, everyday amounts. Exposure becomes a health concern when the amount of inhaled mold is a much higher amount due to living or working in an area where mold is allowed to grow. These settings are usually working or living in humid or damp buildings, working with moldy materials, or accidentally eating moldy food.

When mold grows in buildings or on materials and then dries, disturbing the dried mold releases spores into the air, which are then inhaled. Long-term exposure can result in allergy or more serious symptoms.

Also Check: Can You Recover From Mold Exposure

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.

How To Remove Black Mold Yourself

Symptoms of Mold Poisoning

Did you know that its often possible to remove black mold yourself? Its true! Professional mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars and is often excluded from many homeowners insurance policies. But in many instances hiring a mold removal professional isnt necessary and black mold can be removed by a handy homeowner in less than one weekend of work.

If you feel like you may be a homeowner who is up to the challenge, weve written an eBook that gives step-by-step instructions on how to tackle your mold problem. For less than $20, we guarantee that youll save hundreds, if not thousands, of your hard-earned dollars.

You can purchase our eBook here:

And if youre not comfortable tackling the problem yourself, were happy to provide you a quote if youre in our service area. Just contact us for a completely free quote.

Bottom Line: No mold belongs in a healthy home. Be it black mold, or any other color of mold. It should all be treated the same. If you have mold, remove it.

Read Also: What Takes Mold Off Of Wood

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.

Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold From Rv Rubber Roof

Where Is Mold Found In A Home

A research study found that Stachybotrys preferred a very high relative humidity within wallsapproximately 97%which indicates that relative humidity could be an important risk factor . For black mold, you may consider smaller microclimates that may harbor such humidity levels: sweating pipes, under sink cabinets, front loading washing machines, standing water, roof leaks, damp cars, windows with condensation, etc. Generally, common places to check for mold growth include the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room.

However, humidity alone is not the only requirement for mold growthmold requires nutrients to grow. Any environment that has nutrients like cellulose or other organic matter can harbor mold if the humidity level is right. To further enable mold growth, an environment that has poor air flow and minimal disruption is ideal. For example, you can find mold on wallpaper, furniture, drywall, overly-packed bookshelves or overstuffed closets.

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How Do Molds Get In The Indoor Environment And How Do They Grow

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.

What Is Mold And How Mold Affects Humans

Mold Toxicity Symptoms| The Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Mold is a fungus that breeds and travels via microscopic spores. These spores can attach to clothing, air particles, and more, meaning they spread quickly! If you have mold in one room, it isnt long before it affects the entire house. The mold spores can release into the air and change your air quality as well. The effects of mold exposure can cause some severe health reactions.

When mold is present, it affects individuals differently. This difference in reaction is due to individualized immune systems. Everybody is different. When a person is sensitive or allergic to mold, their reaction will be much greater. The reaction is similar in those with weakened immune systems. These individuals are typically the elderly or chronically ill. Individuals with newer, underdeveloped immune systems, children are also at higher risk. For further reading on whether mold can affect you, read Im Healthy, Will Mold and Mildew In Fort Myers Affect Me?

When mold touches the skin or lungs, a histamine response begins in the body. This allergy-fighting reaction is a defense line for your immune system. The symptoms of this reaction can also be unpleasant. Symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itchy skin, or eyes. While you may see this in your child and assume pollen, mold could be causing a severe reaction in your little one. When our homes are in the Southwestern Florida climate, the risk for mold intensifies. iMold is here to help you protect you, your home, and your children!

Also Check: How To Get Mold Off Brick

How Does Black Mold Affect Children

Black mold exposure can impact a childs health if they inhale, ingest, or come into skin or eye contact with mold spores. According to the Centers for Disease Control , black mold exposure is linked to respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In addition, black mold exposure can cause some children to develop asthma, especially those who have genetically compromised immune systems.

How Do You Keep Mold Out Of Buildings And Homes

Inspect buildings for evidence of water damage and visible mold as part of routine building maintenance. Correct conditions causing mold growth to prevent mold growth.

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

  • Controlling humidity levels
  • Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes
  • Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding
  • Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

Read Also: How To Spray For Mold

How To Know If You Have Black Mold In Your House

Mold isnt always visible. If you can see mold, its only a sign of the real potential health risk the unhealthy levels of harmful types mold in the air of your home or workplace.

Airborne mold is all around us in both the outdoors and indoors. The types and amount of mold determines the potential health risk. Most of us are accustomed to the varieties and amounts of mold present in our outdoor environments.

Healthy indoor environments will have mold conditions similar to or better than those in the surrounding outdoors. Over time, because of moisture , many indoor spaces develop unhealthy types and/or unhealthy levels of airborne mold that can be harmful to you or your pets.

These signs could mean you have unhealthy mold conditions in your house:

  • Allergic symptoms
  • A damp or musty odor in one or more places
  • Frequent headaches
  • The air in the home feels different
  • Your house has been flooded or currently has leaks
  • You previously tried removing mold yourself

Take note of how you feel in and out of the house. If the symptoms disappear or decrease when youre out and about, then you might have a mold problem, yes, even if you cant see mold.

Black Mold Symptoms + 12 Natural Remedies

Mold &  Your Health: Dangers of Black Mold Exposure

By Annie Price, CHHC

Black mold exposure and black mold poisoning can cause a wide range of health problems. Some black mold symptoms can actually be really serious. You may have found this article from googling black mold in shower or mold in house. Unfortunately, mold problems are not unusual in the home, and the shower is a classic location to find black mold flourishing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, molds in general are very common in homes and buildings and they can grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture.

You can help your body recover if youve been exposed to black mold. You can also naturally rid your home of black mold and prevent it in the first place! Black mold symptoms are highly unpleasant so you really dont want to deal with them if you dont have to.

Read Also: How To Treat Black Mold In Your House

How Can You Be Exposed To Black Mold

You can be exposed to black mold, or any species of mold, by breathing in microscopic mold particles in the air, or through consumption of food that contains it.

Stachybotrys is unique because its spores are sticky and easily adhere to a surface when the mold colony dries. They are not regularly found in the air unless the mold colony has been disturbed. Though its spores are not readily airborne, black mold can produce other harmful contaminants more easily found in the air .

A disruption to a black mold colony can be as simple as slamming a door, opening a window or knocking into contaminated furniture. More force is required for Stachybotrys spores to become airborne, as compared to other commonly found indoor molds .

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