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What Are The Symptoms Of Mold Exposure In Your House

How To Identify Mold

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

Mold comes in a variety of colors: green, red, black, or white. As The Spruce explains, its often confused with dirt, typically comes in darker shades, and is fuzzy.

Sometimes mold identification is relatively easy in other words, its visible. When this is the case, you should call a mold remediation company for proper, safe removal. Even if you arent sure whether you have mold, you should still call a mold remediation company since they are the experts. They will either identify the mold and outline next steps or recommend mold testing from a certified mold inspector.

What Causes Mold Sickness

The toxins in your system from breathing in mold spores add to the total amount of toxicity in your body. We call this the Total Body Burden. When your burden is high, you start experiencing symptoms many which are seemingly unrelated.

For most people, toxins get flushed out from the body when eliminating waste.

For some, the toxic load is so high that its too much for the body to eliminate them all efficiently. For others, they may have poor detoxification processes or they may even recycle or reabsorb these mycotoxins back, as the body tries to eliminate them. Genetics plays a huge role in this difference from person to person

In short, multiple symptoms happen because, as we say in environmental medicine genetics points the gun, and then the environment pulls the trigger.

What Can I Do About Mold Toxicity And Mycotoxin Symptoms

A lot of people have at least heard of the toxic effects of black mold growth.

Black mold is a common name for Stachybotrys chartarum. But there are many types of toxic mold that lead to mycotoxin contamination of your environment.

There are many mold species.

Some of the major categories of mold toxins are:

  • Trichothecene mycotoxins

Different binders work better for different mycotoxins. They arent all addressed the same.

Thats why its important to get testing for mycotoxins done to see what you are dealing with.

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Why Choose Our Mold Removal Services In Weston Fl

Mold inspection and removal experts in Weston, FL are available from Restore All, LLC. Our mold removal services are of high quality, reasonably priced, and dependable.

Our experts will successfully remove mold from all affected areas of your home. You should contact us as soon as you notice any visible mold in your home because there is a good chance that more hidden mold is growing there.

Contact ustoday to set up an appointment to help you and your family breathe clean air free of mold spores. We will ensure that there is no mold present that could cause serious health problems or allergies.

How Can I Check For Mold

Mold Signs in House &  Homes

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.

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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.

Mold Exposure: Symptoms And Reactions

Prolonged exposure to mold may result in allergy-like symptoms, such as a runny nose and congestion, eye irritation, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, wheezing, and lung irritation, according to Healthline. Other symptoms may include skin rashes and headaches.

A mold rash, or black mold rash, can be difficult to differentiate from other types of rashes, according to Healthline. Symptoms include itchiness, dry and scaly skin, raw and sensitive skin, brown or pink skin, or small raised bumps that may leak fluid. Since this type of rash is similar to others, its best to consult a doctor or dermatologist.

Mold also has the potential to trigger an attack for those with asthma. But the symptoms and reactions to exposure will vary from person to person. As the CDC explains: Exposure to mold may cause a variety of health problems, or no problems at all. Some people are more sensitive than others.

The CDC also addresses severe reactions, which tend to occur in work-related environments: Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of mold in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions include fever and shortness of breath.

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What Happens If You Eat Mold Off Bread

For food safety experts, the answer is clear: Moldy bread is bad news. Some molds, like those used for Gorgonzola cheese, are safe to eat. But the mold dotting bread isnt a benign source of extra fiber. Gravely says people who eat moldy food may suffer allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

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

Sick From Mold Symptoms? | Tips For Removal

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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A History Of Flooding

One final sign that you might have toxic mold in your home can be found in the structures history. Homes that have a history of flooding are prime targets for mold. Homes that are in tropical environments in the southeastern part of the country are more prone to mold than northern homes. After a flood, the puddles of water might be gone, but the dampness remains. That moisture hidden behind walls and in basements is the perfect breeding ground for mold. If your home has flooded more than once, then there could be a mold outbreak hidden from sight.

Why Are Mold Issues Difficult To Diagnose

Conventional medicine recognizes that mold can cause allergies but does not recognize that mycotoxins emitted by some species of indoor mold can cause a problem, says McElroy. This means that doctors unfamiliar with mold and mold treatment may miss one of the main types of mold reactionsthe chemical and inflammatory reaction. This is for a few reasons:

  • There is no gold standard in testing for mold
  • There is no standardized treatment protocol or drug for mold toxicity
  • There are very limited human-based studies looking at the connection between mycotoxins and human health
  • The presentation of mold issues is very different among patients
  • Not everyone exposed to mold mycotoxins will have a reaction to them

Its no wonder mold illness can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, holistic medicine providers consider environmental factors that affect health when evaluating patients and may have additional advanced training in treating mold toxicity.

According to McElroy, one of the biggest challenges with mold is that mycotoxins can cause only some people to launch an inflammatory response. This unpredictable response can go on for years after a long-term exposure in a susceptible individual, she explains.

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What Causes Mold In A House What Does Mold Look Like

Toxic mold can be black, white, brown, green, gray, or yellow, fuzzy growth.

Mold is usually a black, white, brown, green, gray, or yellow, fuzzy growth. Sometimes you can see it. Sometimes you cant because it is hidden in the dark recesses of your home. Places like attics, crawlspaces, basements, behind cabinets, inside floors, etc. are great places for mold to grow.

Water Damage Leads to Mold

Its not easy to see mold, but if you have any water leaks in your home, you are much more likely to find it! Flooding is of course a major problem, but usually people notice when pipes have burst or flood waters have invaded their homes. These are dramatic events!

Not all water leaks are this dramatic! Slow leaks over time can cause just as much damage because they go unnoticed.

However, tiny cracks in pipes and hoses, and clogs in drains can become a nightmare if forgotten long enough. Tiny leaks over a long period of time can cause as much or more damage than flooding water type events. Because they go unnoticed, tiny leaks can cause more damage than most people realize. Remember we talked about how mold has plenty of food sources in your home? All it takes is that tiny bit of extra moisture and mold starts growing. In most cases it starts within 48 hours!

The main sources for mold growth in homes are water leaks from faucets, roofs, hot water heaters, ground water damage and even sewer backup. Find the water leaks and find the source of the problem.

What Is A Mold Allergy

Signs of Mold in House

Mold is a type of fungus that produces spores that float through the air. It can grow on almost anything when moisture or damp environments are present. It can be found indoors and outdoors. Mold is also a common cause of allergy and asthma symptoms.

Not all molds cause allergy symptoms. Some of the most common molds that cause allergy symptoms are:

Mildew is also a common type of mold.

Molds are different from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The seeds, called spores, travel through the air. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather. Others spread with the fog or dew when humidity is high. This makes it easier for you to breathe the spores into your lungs.

Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to early fall. Fungi grow in many places. They can grow both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year-round.

Many molds grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, in compost piles, and on grasses and grains. Unlike pollen, molds do not die with the first killing frost. Most outdoor molds become inactive during the winter. In the spring, they grow on plants killed by the cold. Indoors, fungi grow in damp areas like the bathroom, kitchen, or basement.

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Tips For Mold Prevention

Wondering how you can prevent mold from affecting your home? Here are a few tips that may help you prevent mold from forming altogether.

  • Keep things clean Dirty surfaces can provide mold with the organic food materials they need to take hold, and start growing throughout your home. Be particularly careful in areas which may be damp, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and attics.
  • Address dampness Dampness may be an issue if you live in an area which receives a lot of rain, or your basement floods. Make sure to ventilate your home as much as possible in humid climates, and soak up any visible moisture as soon as possible.
  • Keep the air dry Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can help reduce the moisture content of the air. Keep your air at 40-50% relative humidity for the best comfort, and to prevent the growth of mold.
  • Heat damp areas to dry them out You may consider using space heaters or even a hair dryer to heat damp areas of your home where mold may form. This is a short-term fix, though. Its best to address the source of the dampness, not the dampness itself.
  • Keep the air circulating Proper ventilation from attics, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements and any other place where moisture is common is essential. Make sure that your home is properly insulated and ventilated, so that air can circulate properly
  • How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your House

    Most of us breathe mold spores regularly without becoming sick. However, people with existing health problems shouldnt let mold add to their health concerns. If you see mold growth or experience signs of mold, dont overlook it. Take immediate actions to get rid of it from every surface of your home.

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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.

    If Your Home Has A Mold Infestation Act Now

    Mold Toxicity Symptoms| The Symptoms of Mold Exposure

    Mold can be hiding in your home, putting you and your family at risk of illness and allergic reactions from poor indoor air quality.

    Whether its allergenic, pathogenic, or toxigenic mold, you must regain control of the situation today by removing the mold and getting your health checked out. While only a medical professional can handle the latter, our team of professional mold removal technicians is perfectly positioned to help with the former.

    Take control today by contacting Green Works today.

    First published: Feb 27, 2019

    : May 11, 2021

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    Mold Poisoning Symptoms In Humans

    Mold poisoning can cause a number of different symptoms, depending on the age of the affected individual, the strength of their immune system, and whether or not they have a pre-existing mold allergy. Here are a few of the most common signs and symptoms of mold poisoning in humans.

    • A stuffy or runny nose
    • Sinus issues or infections
    • Worsening or development of asthma
    • Wheezing or difficulty breathing
    • Skin itchiness, redness, or discomfort
    • Fever and shortness of breath

    Mold Risks In Your Home

    The reality is that everyone is at risk for mold in their home. Thats because mold is a type of fungus that thrives on moisture, and everyone has sources of moisture in their home. You will typically find mold in places where water can enter the home or where condensation can occur, such as:

    Mold can present practically anywhere in and around your home including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, roof, and ductwork. You should especially check areas that have been flooded or have high humidity.

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    How To Tell If You Have Mold In Your House

    It can be hard to tell if you have mold in your house. Obviously, if you see mold somewhere, youve got a mold problem in your house, but mold can hide in walls, ventilation ducts, crawl spaces, and in other hard-to-see areas.

    A common way to check for mold is to smell for it. A musty smell in an area of your home is often an indicator that there is some kind of mold present. Symptoms like a persistent runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and throat irritation could also be indicative of mold.

    In addition, anywhere that has been exposed to a significant amount of moisture such as water damage from flooding is a potential area where mold may be growing. Look for water where it shouldnt be, and check areas which may have flooded in the past.

    What Mold Looks Like

    Mold in your house can be dangerous for your health. You can get sick ...

    Molds are a type of fungus and can look like their fungal cousins, mushrooms and yeasts. Outdoors, molds can be seen gobbling up the dead organic matter on decomposing surfaces like fallen leaves and rotting logs indoors, house mold thrives in wet, humid environments like bathrooms and basements or anywhere that has recently flooded. There are thousands of types of mold, and their appearance can vary depending on the type of mold and where its growing.

    The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum , is also sometimes found in homes and other buildings. This greenish-black growth can grow on fiberboard, paper, dust, and lint, particularly in areas that may have recently flooded or suffered other types of water damage. While black mold can certainly look scary, the CDC says that Stachybotrys chartarum isnt any more harmful than other types of mold.

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