What Are The Mental & Neurological Symptoms Associated With Black Mold Exposure
Black mold produces toxins that can kill neurons in the brain and can impair a persons mental faculties. Exposure to black mold toxins may cause mental & neurological conditions, like nervous disorders. Symptoms of mental & neurological effects of black mold exposure include altered behavior, mood swings, and irritability.
Common Mold Allergy Triggers
Penicillium
The commmon mold spore types that trigger allergy and asthma in many parts of the world are Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Didymella. Allergic reactions to each spore type differ between individuals and the allergens vary in the severity of the allergic reaction they induce.
For example, it has been observed that more people are allergic to Alternaria than Cladosporium even though the latter is much more common in the air. Alternaria also produces stronger positive reactions while Cladosporium tends to produce a milder allergic reaction.
However Cladosporium, and in particular Cladosporium herbarum, is often the major contributor to air-spora and due to its high concentrations is therefore a major cause of inhalant allergy and allergic asthma in humans.
Didymella exitialis can trigger severe asthma and also cross-reacts with Alternaria. Didymella exitialis is common on cereal crops, particularly wheat and barley so the risk can increase around harvesting of these crops.
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.
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Direct Water Away From Your House
Take note that black mold prevention isnt just an indoor task. You should also control moisture sources outdoors, especially your downspouts.
Make sure that your drains and downspouts are pointed away from your homes foundation. This way, the moisture wont get into your basement and allow black mold to form. You should also fix your landscaping to ensure that water isnt getting trapped in certain spots.
Removing Mold From Your Home
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Severe Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure
Even though the initial symptoms of mold exposure are not very serious, they can develop into more serious problems if the mold is left untreated. Some of the more advanced symptoms may include: chronic fatigue, dizziness, skin rashes, digestive issues, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, fertility problems, cancer, depression, ulcers, Fibromyalgia, and even death.
Keep in mind that you may not experience every symptom that is listed, because mold affects different people in different ways. Some people only experience a few of the symptoms that are listed, but for almost everyone the symptoms get worse over time.
Once these more serious health problems occur and medical treatments are not effective, some doctors will suggest that you look for mold problems in your home. But, the problem is that many medical professionals don’t initially attribute the health problems with mold exposure, so it may take a long time to come to that conclusion.
I Tested Positive For Mycotoxins Now What
Finding out that theres mold in your home or body can definitely be scaryand embarrassing, too. Fortunately, once you know that youre dealing with toxic mold exposure, you can take action:
If theres mycotoxins in your homeYoull need to consult with a professional mold remediation firm about eliminating the problem. Sometimes, when a mold issue is as simple as a small patch of gunk on a shower wall or a basement carpet that smells like dirt, its possible to clean the mess up on your own. However, large infestationsor infestations of highly dangerous molds, like Stachybotrys chartarum should only be handled by experts.
If theres mycotoxins in your bodyYou should see a physician right away. Explain your symptoms and bring a copy of your test results. Your doctor may want to give you another test to verify that yes, mycotoxins really are the source of your health issues.
Once you receive an official diagnosis, the doctor will be able to come up with an appropriate treatment plan. Meanwhile, it would be wise to have your home inspected for mold, as well, to stop the toxins at their source.
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Do Seasonal Allergies Wreak Havoc On Your Body
If so, youre not alone many people experience an increase in their allergy symptoms during allergy season, especially when pollen counts are high. For some, symptoms are mild, with sneezing and stuffiness, while others experience joint, back and neck pain, in addition to breathing difficulties.
In some cases, your symptoms may appear to be related more to the weather, injury or illness rather than specific allergens. However some allergy symptoms, such as non-allergic rhinitis and even joint pain, can be brought on by rapid changes in temperature and humidity that typically accompany the spring season. In the United States, spring often is the highest time for allergies, meaning your seasonal allergies could be the cause of your pain.
Lets take a closer look at how allergies and joint pain may be related.
Green Works Professional Mold Detecting Process:
GreenWorks is a professional mold detection and removal company in New Jersey that uses the following process to accurately test for mold:
1) Mold Testing
For families who have no apparent health effects or illnesses from mold, testing may not be required. However, for those who have children or individuals with allergies or immuno-compromised systems, mold testing should be conducted by professionals.
2) Client Interview
The mold test starts with an interview of the homeowners or current occupants. This gives our experts a better understanding of the structure of the home and any mold-related issues that the family has come across such as health issues, water damage, or past repairs. The interview helps our team decide whether or not mold testing is necessary.
3) Olfactory Investigation:
Trained mold investigators are sometimes able to identify actively growing mold through smell. This is helpful, especially when the mold is not visible. However, olfactory investigations may be affected by the weather, air transfer, or other factors that dilute or overpower the aroma of indoor mold.
4) Mold Inspection
Our experts will conduct a comprehensive visual inspection of your home. This helps to determine if there is mold growth in moist areas of your home such as bathrooms, under sinks, basements, crawlspaces, and more. Molds often hide in dark, hard-to-reach reach places, which our team is trained in inspecting.
5) Mold Inspection
6) Hydrology Inspection
7) Mold Inspection Report
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How To Treat Mold Exposure In Cats: 4 Helpful Remedies
The ways on how to treat mold exposure in cats are oral antifungal drugs, antifungal sinus medication, and gastric lavage and suction. Other symptoms can also be treated individually, including fluid therapy to prevent dehydration. Below are the details on how to administer these treatments.
C How To Diagnose Mold Exposure
When you suspect mold poisoning, it cannot always be diagnosed by examining the symptoms only. Mold exposure test is essential to determine the correct diagnosis, thus related to the correct treatment to cure the allergic reactions.
A physical examination is highly considered to identify or exclude any medical diagnosis. Among the mold exposure test to be taken are the skin prick test and blood test.
The skin prick test isconducted to take a tiny sample of mold and apply onto your skin. The doctorwill use diluted suspected mold allergens within the area and puncture yourskin using a needle. When you develop hives, skin bump, or rash, it means thatyou are allergic to that certain mold.
The other method, the blood test, is conducted to identify your bodys immune system response to the mold exposure. The procedure includes taking your blood sample to the laboratory and examine the certain antibodies in your bloodstream called the immunoglobulin antibodies. The result will show you if the evidence match sensitivity to mold or not.
To eliminate the risk of having a more serious health problem, it is essential for you to take the test and diagnosis which are helpful to defy any possibility of long term effect of mold exposure.
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When To See A Doctor For Mold Exposure
In the last few years, education and awareness on the impact of toxic mold on human health have increased. Mold spores tend to build up in an environment long before any visible signs of an infestation are clear, leading to long-term exposure to this harmful toxin. Mold exposure can be hard to diagnose since toxicity symptoms mimic several other health conditions. However, in severe situations, exposure to mold warrants a visit to a medical professional. This guide can help you narrow down your exposure, possible signs of illness, and how a doctor can help.
Recognizing The Warning Signs
1. You have chronic headaches and muscle aches. Mold releases toxins in the air to survive and thrive. When you inhale the toxins, you may get a headache or muscle ache. They may be related to nausea or vomiting. 2. You smell ammonia. A characteristic smell of mold and spoilage. 3. You experience asthma symptoms. Mold causes lung and asthma problems in susceptible people. 4. You have allergies. Mold is a trigger for many of the same allergies as dust mites, mold spores, and allergens. Common ones are hay fever, asthma, and sinusitis. You may also suffer from food allergies. 5. You have or had a serious medical condition. Mold and toxins from mold can worsen asthma, respiratory infections, and weakened immune systems.
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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.
What Are The Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure
Black mold, also known as toxic black mold or Stachubotrys, can cause many serious heath problems if found inside a home. There are numerous negative health effects from mold exposure, such as mental impairment, breathing problems, internal organ damage, and in some cases, even death. The symptoms of black mold exposure can be separated into different groups depending upon the area affected by mold presence.
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Can Allergy Shots Cause Muscle And Joint Pain
Allergy shots can do more bad than good sometimes. The most common problem experienced being joint pains, it can get worse. It all has to do with the way your body reacts to the shots.
Allergy shots can do more bad than good sometimes. The most common problem experienced being joint pains, it can get worse. It all has to do with the way your body reacts to the shots.
Three years ago, Savannah took a course of allergy shots to get rid of her allergic reaction to mold. However, she was tormented by the stabbing pain in her arm for the next few days. After visiting the doctor, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . Within the next few months, her wrists and other joints became so weak that she couldnt even play her favorite sports. The doctor has warned her to guard her wrist against injuries in future. She is now taking therapies to strengthen her joints.
The above case is frequently reported by people who start taking immunotherapy or allergy shots. So, is joint and/or muscle pain an allergic reaction to these shots? This is ironic in itself because you take the shots hoping it will help reduce the symptoms of allergy. A lot of people are allergic to furry animals, pollen grains, dust, mold, insect bites, nuts, onions and garlic, corn, dairy and other things.
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Supplement With Beneficial Herbs For Respiratory Health
Medicinal herbs may offer therapeutic benefits for respiratory diseases since several compounds have shown anti-inflammatory effects and inhibition of different inflammatory mediators involved in respiratory diseases such as asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Many studies highlight the antioxidant effects of these products.
Did you know? Chronic respiratory diseases are chronic diseases of the airways and other structures of the lungs. Some of the most common conditions include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , asthma and respiratory allergies, occupational lung diseases, sleep apnea syndrome, and pulmonary hypertension.
A beneficial combination may include various herbs, including:
- Baikal skullcap root
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Increased Risk For Mold Growth
Buildings with flat roofs or basements, or that are built on hillsides or in shaded areas are at increased risk for mold growth. HVAC systems are also a significant source of mold growth, especially when ducting is in a basement. In addition, water damage can come from a leaking roof, pipe, or appliance such as a dishwasher, refrigerator, or wash machine. Buildings that are poorly maintained are much more susceptible to mold growth. Government buildings and schools, as well as rental apartments and homes, tend to be poorly maintained.
There are also circumstances when water damage to a home or building is apparent. A patient shared a story of a wall caving in under the pressure of a paint roller because the sheetrock was so damp from water damage. Others have reported discovering mold growing on a wall after removing a bed or a picture . I have seen patients who were exposed to mold in their car and at their place of work.
Current and past mold exposure can cause illness. People can continue to have elevated mycotoxins from a past mold exposure long after leaving a moldy environment.
However, most of the time, my patients are unaware they have been exposed to mold until they get tested. Once diagnosed with mold illness, people may recall a house they lived in years prior to their health decline had a musty odor. How about the dorm the college student lived in where the air conditioning unit was on all the time? When did their health decline?
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, which is the harmful types of unhealthy levels of 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 is what determines the potential health risk. Most of us are typically 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 will help you know if you possibly 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.
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Symptoms Of Chronic Toxic Mold Exposure
We all know about mold we dont eat it when it grows on our food or touch it when we see it in the wild. So, how would you feel about living with it?
Shockingly, many people do. The term toxic mold is becoming increasingly common in conversations about health in the United States, and this mold may be closer to you than you think.
What do toxic mold exposure symptoms look like over time? How can you tell if you have this uninvited guest growing in your home?
Keep reading as we unpack where it comes from, what symptoms you may already have, and how to test for and remove toxic mold from your home. You might even need to try a mold detox diet.
