Black Mold Symptoms And Health Effects
Learn about black mold symptoms and health effects so that you can identify indicators of black mold exposure and black mold poisoning.
A mold infested room of an old building.
Dariusz Majgier
Mold in homes can be a costly and dangerous problem, particularly when infestations of toxic black mold occur. The symptoms and health effects of black mold exposure and black mold poisoning cover a wide range of health problems, but understanding the indicators can help keep you and your family safe.
Toxic black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, as it’s known to scientists, can release spores as it feeds on organic materials in common household materials like drywall, carpet, insulation or sub-flooring that have been exposed to moisture. These spores, if ingested or inhaled, can cause a range of unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms in humans.
Types Of Harmful Mold That May Be Lurking In Your Home
While mold is found virtually everywhere you go and is not always harmful, there are certain types of mold or fungi that can pose a serious health risk to you and your family if they are present in your home. Here are a few of the most common species of toxic mold that can grow inside homes wherever there are wet surfaces or water damage, and a few tips for what to do if you think there might be harmful mold in your home.
How Bad Is Black Mold Really
You don’t want mold in your home. Black, green, orange, yellow no matter the color, it’s all undesirable. Yet you don’t necessarily have to panic if you see it growing on your walls or windowsills. Because while mold can negatively affect your health, and sometimes dramatically, you may suffer no ill effects at all from mold exposure.
Mold is a type of fungus, and it’s everywhere indoors, outdoors and even in the air. That’s not too surprising when you consider there are more than 100,000 types of mold in existence, and possibly even millions. Mold gets into homes and buildings through open windows, doors, vents and ductwork. It can also attach itself to your clothes or pets when you’re outside, so you inadvertently bring it indoors with you.
Once indoors, mold grows wherever there’s a lot of a lot of moisture. That’s why you’ll often see mold around leaky windows or pipes, or on drywall after flooding. It also grows easily on paper and on fabric, carpet, upholstery, insulation and even in dust.
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Getting Rid Of Toxic Black Mold
Once you have discovered mold exposure in your home, steps should be taken immediately to get rid of the mold problem. You may consider calling a mold specialist to clean up the mess for you a professional company will have the equipment and training to eliminate the mold problem in your home. An independent mold tester can then verify that the mold has been completely cleaned up after the process is finished.
Some people want to save money by proceeding with the cleanup process on their own. If you choose to do it yourself, it is essential that you follow several steps to avoid increased black mold poisoning. The mold spores can cause you to become sicker during the cleanup process, because of the added exposure that occurs when you are scrubbing and disinfecting.
Do not let the mold come in contact with your skin, using rubber gloves and other protective clothing can prevent the contact. Also, be sure to immediately wash your clothing after the cleanup is complete. Leaving exposed clothing sitting around the house may result in cross contamination, because the fabric can carry the microscopic mold spores.
How To Get Rid Of Toxic Black Mold
Mold poisoning treatment will be in vain if black mold exposure continues to exist in your home. Even if you are unsure if it is toxic black mold or just another black-pigmented mold, get rid of it right away.
- Wear a respirator or a facemask and rubber gloves to prevent the inhalation of spores. Cover your arms and legs to avoid any contact.
- Determine the extent of mold growth.
- Spray vinegar or baking soda in water if the affected area is porous.
- Rinse the area using clean water.
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Signs You Might Have Toxic Mold In Your Home
Seeing mold growing on an old piece of bread is creepy enough, but mold in the home is something next level. It might not be a problem you think about regularly, but if you feel like you have some weird health issues, you might be exhibiting some signs that you have toxic mold in your home. Since mold isnt always visible or easy to spot, its important to know what to look out for so you can take care of any issues if you have some â you dont want your health to suffer just because your house looks clean enough.
Although toxic mold can bring on the most serious health problems, all mold and mildew can cause health issues â especially for those who suffer from allergies, says Robert Weitz, a certified microbial investigator and principal of RTK Environmental Group, over email. An important thing to consider: Do you feel bad at home or at work, but feel better when you leave? Itâs very likely a mold or indoor air quality issue.
If you suspect you have mold in your home, look out for these seven telltale signs. These signs can help you identify a potential problem, but if you feel that mold has made its way in, schedule a test. An independent testing company will provide you with an unbiased assessment of the situation, determine what type of mold is growing in your home, and determine the proper course of action to remove it.
Is There Such Thing As Black Mold Anxiety
Anxiety is defined as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. by the American Psychological Association. A strong link between mold and anxiety has been established by recent studies.
One of the major mediators of anxiety symptoms is dopamine, which is decreased by toxic black molds devastation on the dopamine factories.
Exposure to black mold increases excessive electrical activity, which is demonstrated by excessive blood flow to the brain.
Black Toxic Mold Doesnt Stop There!
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A Personalized Mold Sickness Treatment
The Sponaugle Wellness Institute prides itself on the personalized treatment given to their patients. Each case is unique thats why they do not use one single treatment plan for every patient.
The Sponaugle Wellness Institute scrutinizes every case to develop the most fitting healing strategy. They fully understand how does mold sickness affects the human body and the complexities associated with black mold poisoning.Dr. Sponaugle believes that the patients state of mind is crucial for his/her complete recovery. This is why he built a world-class treatment facility that is equipped with avant-garde technology and cozy rooms near the spectacular beaches of Florida.The ambiance is remarkable homey, far from dull and cold hospitals.
What Is Black Mold Poisoning
Black mold poisoning is also known as stachybotryotoxicosis: A serious and sometimes fatal intoxication chiefly affecting domestic animals that is due to ingestion of a toxic substance produced by mold .
Popular home and garden channel HGTV points out that the symptoms for black mold poisoning and black mold exposure may be the same, including chronic coughing and sneezing, irritation to the eyes and mucus membranes of the nose and throat, chronic fatigue, constant headaches, and rashes.
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Facts About Stachybotrys Chartarum
What is Stachybotrys chartarum?
Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on material with a high cellulose content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, and paper. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. Constant moisture is required for its growth.
Does Stachybotrys chartarum cause acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants?
To date, a possible association between acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants and Stachybotrys chartarum has not been proven. Further studies are needed to determine what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage.
What if my child has acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage?
Parents should ensure that their children get proper medical treatment.
Is there a test for Stachybotrys chartarum?
At present, no test exists that proves an association between Stachybotrys chartarum and particular health symptoms. Individuals with persistent symptoms should see their physician. However, if Stachybotrys chartarum or other molds are found in a building they should be removed.
Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds may cause health symptoms that are nonspecific. It is not necessary to determine what type of mold you may have growing in your home or other building. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal.
Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Symptoms of mold exposure can include:
- Nasal and sinus congestion, runny nose
- Respiratory problems, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness
- Cough
- Sneezing / Sneezing fits
Health effects linking to asthma
Adverse respiratory health effects are associated with occupancy in buildings with moisture and mold damage. Infants may develop respiratory symptoms due to exposure to a specific type of fungal mold, called Penicillium. Signs that an infant may have mold-related respiratory problems include a persistent cough and wheeze. Increased exposure increases the probability of developing respiratory symptoms during their first year of life. Studies have shown that a correlation exists between the probability of developing asthma and increased exposure to Penicillium. The levels are deemed âno moldâ to âlow levelâ, from âlowâ to âintermediateâ, and âintermediateâ to âhighâ.
Mold exposures have a variety of health effects depending on the person. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. Exposure to mold can cause several health issues such as throat irritation, nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, cough, and wheezing, as well as skin irritation in some cases. Exposure to mold may also cause heightened sensitivity depending on the time and nature of exposure. People at higher risk for mold allergies are people with chronic lung illnesses and weak immune systems, which can often result in more severe reactions when exposed to mold.
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How Does Mold Get Into Your House
Mold can get into your house from open doorways, windows and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that take air in from outside. Spores that begin mold growth can also attach themselves to people from outside their clothing, animals, shoes and carrying cases or handbags. Some materials inside your home are designed to encourage mold growth too. Wet cellulose material, including paper and paper products, cardboard, wood and wood products and ceiling tiles are primary culprits. Other materials like dust, carpet, paints, wallpaper, fabric and upholstery, insulation and drywall are common mold conductors.
Toxic Black Mold: The Truths
Some truths and myths about toxic black mold.
We believe the best starting point for a healthy home is knowledge! And one topic where many people think they know the facts, and most marketing supports their belief, is about mold. But the reality is that a lot of the facts you think you know about mold are really myths and one of the most common myths is that there is such a thing as toxic black mold!
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Its Like Somebodys Smoking At Home
The Harvard University Six Cities Study, 4,600 children, were examined to find out if there is a relationship between respiratory health and indoor mold and dampness. The result pointed out that the harmful effects of indoor mold and dampness were comparable to parental smoking. Even if no ones smoking at home, it would still be like a smoking area if theres exposure to black mold!
The Long-Range Transport of Air Pollutants Program of Health Canada has similar findings after examining 15,000 children and another of 18,000 adults.It Can Make Lungs Bleed
Stachybotrys atra, a toxic black mold species, is now regarded as the causative agent of pulmonary hemosiderosis in infants, which in some cases is fatal. The S. atra produces the most powerful mycotoxins of the group trichothecenes. It also produces cyclosporine and phenylspirodrimanes, that when combined with trichothecenes at high doses, can cause life-threatening toxic black mold symptoms.
Is Black Mold Dangerous
The short answer isnot really. But that doesnt mean you should keep black mold as a pet.
Everyone has different levels of tolerance to allergens like mold spores, but thats all black mold isan allergen.1 Those with asthma, respiratory allergies, or immune suppression will feel the effects of black molds mycotoxins more than most folks.
As one source put it, Previous reports of toxic mold syndrome or toxic black mold have been shown to be no more than media hype and mass hysteria. 2
But whether you feel black mold symptoms or not, its best to get rid of black mold as soon as you find it.
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They Dont Need Keys To Get Inside
In an indoor environment, black mold species have been isolated from drywalls, floorboards, glass fiber wallpaper, pipe insulation, beneath carpeting, and other areas. They prefer moist surfaces and warmer temperatures and significant cellulose content.
Bringing contaminated crops and moist building materials inside your home increases the chances of suffering from long-term effects of black mold exposure.
Exposure to black mold can be promoted by excessive moisture from water leaks, flooding, condensation, and humidity.
How To Treat Mold Toxicity In The Body
Is mold toxicity reversible? Yes, but to recover from mold illness, you need to support your bodys natural detoxification and drainage systems. Its also beneficial to support your immune system, thyroid gland, mitochondria, and oxygen status. Several supplements help with these aspects.
Here are some top supplement strategies to help with your mold cleanse.
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Sneezing And Nasal Congestion
While many things can trigger sneezing, its also a symptom of mold toxicity that should get your attention. If youve never had allergies or hay fever symptoms and youre positive you dont have a cold, those sneezes could be indicative of mold exposure.
Sneezing is the immune systems standard response to allergens. It could also be a warning sign that your home has a mold problem.
Is Black Mold Dangerous Heres The Truth
The truth is, many people arent negatively affected by mold. However, mold can cause allergies in some people who are sensitive to mold. In these cases, it can make their lives miserable. Mold can also cause severe medical issues with a small percentage of people who have other health complications.
If youve seen a concerning growth in your home or been told that you have a black mold issue, you probably have a lot of questions.
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How To Deal With Black Mold And Recover From Mold Poisoning
- Black mold is extraordinarily toxic, and more common than you might think. An estimated 22 percent of people and half of all buildings in the U.S. have a mold problem.
- The good news is that the word about mold is spreading, and its becoming easier and easier to deal with black mold and mycotoxins .
- This guide will tell you how to test for black mold, permanently remove it from your home, and flush mycotoxins from your body and repair the damage they do.
- Mold can make you feel hopeless and like your health is out of your hands. Dont worry with these steps, you can take control of your body and brain and get rid of mold for good.
Black mold is nasty stuff. It causes chronic fatigue, mood swings, allergies, asthma, unexplained weight gain even cancer.
Mold contamination is also more common than you might think. In a recent Bulletproof Radio podcast episode , geneticist and mold researcher Dr. Andrew Heyman explains why.
We estimate that 22 percent of the population is vulnerable to , says Heyman. Forty million people and at least half of all buildings in the U.S. have a mold problem.
Heyman goes on to say that people frequently overlook black mold, partly because it often shows up in hard-to-reach places, like ventilation systems in commercial buildings or apartment complexes.
Exposure Sources And Prevention
The primary sources of mold exposure are from the indoor air in buildings with substantial mold growth and the ingestion of food with mold growths.
While mold and related microbial agents can be found both inside and outside, specific factors can lead to significantly higher levels of these microbes, creating a potential health hazard. Several notable factors are water damage in buildings, the use of building materials which provide a suitable substrate and source of food to amplify mold growth, relative humidity, and energy-efficient building designs, which can prevent proper circulation of outside air and create a unique ecology in the built environment. A common issue with mold hazards in the household can be the placement of furniture, resulting in a lack of ventilation of the nearby wall. The simplest method of avoiding mold in a home so affected is to move the furniture in question.
Prevention of mold exposure and its ensuing health issues begins with the prevention of mold growth in the first place by avoiding a mold-supporting environment. Extensive flooding and water damage can support extensive mold growth. Following hurricanes, homes with greater flood damage, especially those with more than 3 feet of indoor flooding, demonstrated far higher levels of mold growth compared with homes with little or no flooding.
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What Are The Treatments For Black Mold Poisoning
Fact Checked
Black mold, or Stachybotrys atra, should be treated the same as all other molds with regard to health risks and removal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 13. All molds may pose risks for people with allergies and allergy-induced asthma. High concentrations of fungal colonies, such as those growing in water-damaged flooring or building materials, can cause severe allergy symptoms, from flu-like discomfort to life-threatening asthma attacks.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
