Are My Health Problems Caused By Black Mold?

Black mold is a common household problem. You may have black mold growing in parts of your house that you didn’t even know existed. And, black mold in your home may be causing health problems you aren’t aware of.

Black mold grows in any humid and warm place. It is commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any part of the house that has much moisture. It also grows in hard-to-get-to places like crawlspaces, attics, under carpets and inside walls.

The major health problem caused by black mold is a mild allergic reaction that most people suffer from in varying degrees. Like household dust, most of us have some kind of adverse reaction to exposure to mold.

This allergic reaction often resembles minor cold or sinus trouble. In its mildest form, you will sneeze, have a runny nose or nasal congestions, and itchy or red eyes. In more severe cases, you may suffer a headache, fatigue or fever.

Most black mold is non-toxic, so the health problems are not terribly severe. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others and will have more trouble with household black mold health problems.

Black mold does pose a risk to those with health problems such as asthma or chronic sinus trouble. Mold affects the lungs and respiratory system, so in asthma sufferers, it can bring on an attack. Constant exposure to black mold can be dangerous for asthma sufferers.

Also for those who have chronic sinus trouble, black mold may be a health problem. The symptoms of black mold exposure often resemble closely those of sinusitis. Your sinus suffering may be due to environmental factors rather than sinusitis.

The health problems caused by black mold are often difficult to trace back to the mold itself. Mold is often felt before it is seen, so it is often difficult to figure out that black mold is the cause of the problem.

The best cure for black mold health problems is to be aware of and control the mold in your house. Every house has black mold. As a general guideline, keep in mind that any place that is often humid is liable to get black mold.

Black mold can grow on food, in trashcans, in showers, under carpets, in crawlspaces, behind walls, on plants and in any area that has been wet. Periodically check under carpets for black mold growing there, and make every effort to keep your house mold free.

One way to check for black mold is to do a mold test. You can do this yourself by buying a mold tester from a home-goods or hardware store, or you can hire a professional to check your house. This can help you find areas with black mold that may be causing health problems.

If you are particularly sensitive to mold or suffer from asthma or sinus trouble, it is probably best for you to not try to clean up the mold yourself. If the problem is severe, or if the moldy area is difficult to get to, you may wish to consult a professional. Look under “Fire and Water Damage” in your local yellow pages.

Is Mold Hazardous To Your Health? Common Mold Related Health Problems

Mold is everywhere. Check under the carpet, behind the walls, on the shower tiles, in the coffeepot, and there it is. It’s an unavoidable part of life that can be controlled, but never totally eliminated.

Since we have to live with mold, it is important to be aware of mold related health problems. How can the presence of mold in your home adversely affect you?

While some types of mold contain toxins, most mold is non-toxic and not life-threatening. However, our natural reactions to mold cause many minor irritating problems, and there is some risk for potential long-term trouble.

If you suffer from asthma or any other breathing disorder, mold may be a very serious health risk for you. You should try to keep your home free of mold as well as possible, and talk to your physician about ways to limit the danger.

Here are some common mold related health problems:

Nasal Congestion. Most people are mildly allergic to mold. The most common symptom is a stuffy nose. Even though you do not have a cold, you may get a stuffy nose when you enter certain rooms or houses. If you suddenly get congested in certain parts of your home, this may be an indication that you have some mold growing somewhere that you can’t see.

Headaches. Along with the stuffy nose, many people get headaches. Have you ever gotten a headache when you are in a dusty place? Mold works in the same way. If you have constant headaches for no apparent reason when you are at home, you may have a mold problem.

Itchy or Watery Eyes. Mold produces airborne spores which can irritate different parts of our bodies. Most commonly, these spores get into our nasal cavities or lungs, but they can also irritate your eyes. The symptoms include itchy, red or excessively watery eyes.

Difficulties Breathing. In very severe cases, you may experience a shortness of breath. This would only be the case if you have a serious mold problem. If you are working in an old building or in an exceptionally humid environment, you may experience shortness of breath due mold. In this case, the room needs to be aired out and it may be hazardous for you to spend time there until the mold is under control.

Skin Irritation. In some cases, mold spores may irritate the skin and cause a rash. This is not common, but it does occur.

Asthma. If you have asthma, constant exposure to mold can be a serious health problem. Mold spores will bring on asthma attacks and cause you breathing trouble. If you are asthmatic or especially sensitive to mold, you must keep your environment as mold-free as possible.

It has not been scientifically proven, but many medical professionals believe that continual exposure to mold in childhood may be a factor in developing asthma. For this reason, be extra careful about mold in your home if you have young children.

Mold grows all over the place, but especially in warm, humid environments. Your house may have a mold problem that you can’t see, so it’s important to pay attention to these symptoms and get rid of the mold!