What will black mold do to you

One of those infants died. Results from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC investigation revealed these infants had been living in homes with severe water damage and increased levels of toxin-producing mold inside.

This led many people to believe that the black mold was toxic and could kill people. In the end, scientists concluded that they were unable to link black mold exposure to illness and death in the Cleveland infants. In reality, all molds — including black mold — can produce toxins, but exposure to mold is rarely deadly. These people tend to be very young, very old, or have:. How you react to mold depends on how sensitive you are to mold exposure. You may have no reaction at all to black mold exposure, or you may have a slight reaction.

People who are very sensitive to black mold may develop severe respiratory infections when exposed. Your doctor will first perform a physical exam.

This is done by scratching or pricking the skin with extracts of different types of mold. This is called a radioallergosorbent RAST test. If black mold has made you sick, see a doctor for continued care until your body heals from exposure to black mold spores.

Some doctors may also recommend a nasal lavage or sinus flush. A special device, like a neti pot , can help clear your nose of irritants like mold spores.

You can find neti pots at your local drugstore or online. If they come into contact with mold, they may experience symptoms, such as:. Mold exposure may also worsen asthma or lung problems in people with preexisting lung conditions.

A study found that infants and young children exposed to mold in the home had an increased risk of developing asthma by the age of 7. The research examined homes and 36 types of mold. However, S. Research published in by the Institute of Medicine IOM indicates that spending time in damp indoor spaces is related to respiratory symptoms, including those of asthma. However, people with weakened immune systems — such as those with uncontrolled HIV , transplant patients, or people undergoing cancer treatment — are at risk of fungal infections.

Some people believe that black mold is particularly dangerous because it releases mycotoxins. However, the fact is that all molds are capable of producing mycotoxins. Just because mold is present does not mean that it is producing these toxins. Most cases of mycotoxicosis result from eating moldy food, rather than from inhaling fungal spores in the home or outdoors. The evidence does not indicate that inhaling or touching mold can cause mycotoxicosis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC state that there are very few reports of unique or rare health conditions resulting from mold in the home. It appears that many types of indoor mold — not just black mold — may cause health problems in some people, but not in everyone. People who are most at risk of the symptoms of mold exposure are:.

The main health concerns seem to relate to allergies and irritation, which typically cause respiratory symptoms. They may also perform tests, including:. To diagnose a systemic fungal infection in someone with a weakened immune system, a doctor may take a blood sample.

In some cases, further testing may be necessary. Treatment for a mold allergy is similar to treatment for other types of inhaled allergies. Use a humidifier in rooms where the air is moist, especially in the basement. Other places where mold is likely to grow: in areas that have flooded, water pipe leaks, leaky roofs, condensation on walls and ceilings look for discoloration , windows, rust, peeling paint, tile grout, gutters, and warped wood.

Homes with many houseplants could be susceptible to mold growth; be careful not to overwater. Check the ventilation of home appliances, such as dryers, which should be vented outside. Air purification and filtration systems, which can range from reasonably priced to expensive depending on how elaborate the system is, are another option for homeowners and business owners. Central air conditioning with air filtration attachments are also available.

Mold tests are available at most home improvement stores, and allow for the testing of both air and tangible mold samples. But they may not give the whole story. There are companies who specialize in air quality diagnosis and rehabilitation, but they can be expensive. The Toxic Black Mold Information Center recommends trying to find the source of the mold on your own before taking any further steps.

It's easy to spot a clean freak when you see one in action. What's not so easy is recognizing the signs of compulsive obsession with cleanliness when you're the one who's obsessing. Having a clean house doesn't mean that you are a clean freak.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Moreover, mold prefers an undisturbed environment and adequate ventilation makes it all the more difficult to grow. Although air purification cannot reverse structural mold damage to homes, it can help to reduce mold exposure.

Recall that mold fragments are small and can become airborne, and may cause allergies while also carrying dangerous mycotoxins. A HEPA filter is the traditional method of air purification and can address some mold spores, though given the right conditions, there is a potential for mold to grow on the filter surface. HEPA filters are rated to remove Mycotoxins that are not bound to larger mold particles are much smaller than this—typically 0. You can learn more about the best air purifier for mold here.

The Molekule technology is unique because it can destroy mold spores, without producing dangerous ozone. Unbeknownst to the mycologist who discovered the infamous black mold Stachybotrys chartarum in , his discovery would lay the foundation for the timeless struggle between the homeowner and the indoor humid environment. Though black mold is harmful, there are ways to remove and prevent it from growing in your home. Getting rid of visible mold and taking the preventive steps listed above can protect you and your family from airborne mold, including the health effects of black mold.

Air Quality. Air Purifier Technology. Inside Molekule. Buy Now. By Lauren Tessier, N. Naturopathic Physician. August 29, A black mold scare In , a horrible mystery brought 10 cases of bleeding lung syndrome in infants in Cleveland.

What is black mold? How common is it? How can you be exposed to black mold? What about tiny mold toxins aka mycotoxins? Could your symptoms be from a general mold allergy? General allergic impacts of mold For those people who are sensitive to mold, the CDC lists the following symptoms that mold in general not specific to black mold may cause: Nasal stuffiness Throat irritation Coughing or wheezing Eye or skin irritation For people with mold allergies or asthma, exposure to any kind of mold may cause more severe reactions like: Fever Shortness of breath Other symptoms of a mold-related illness Mold can cause many forms of illness besides well-known mold allergies, including: Infection Systemic inflammation Toxicity General irritation People who more likely to be affected by mold The CDC also describes who is more likely to get mold infections.