What Are The Symptoms Of Black Mold Allergies

How To Minimize Molds Effects

The United States Environmental Protection Agency states that there are a number of precautions to take to ensure youre as safe as possible when youre in a mold, damp environment. These include:

• Always wearing personal protective equipment. Whenever you could be potentially exposed to mold, always protect yourself out with protective gloves, an N-95 respirator and goggles.

• Avoiding potential fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Always use portable generators with care, away and outside of your home.

• Making sure there are no more traces of mold. You need to ensure theres no more mold before you go back to your home to live.

You can also do the following to guard against mold growing in your home:

• Keep it well ventilated.

• Clean mold from hard surfaces with water and detergent. Then, dry the area thoroughly.

• Clean refrigerator drip pans regularly.

• Clean garbage cans regularly.

• Clean any leaks or spills in a timely manner.

• Open windows, use exhaust fans or dehumidifiers to keep moisture to a minimum.

• Ensure the outside of your home benefits from adequate drainage.

With the recent floods, many Texans may find patches of mold growing in their homes. As you can see from the above, molds do have the potential to cause health issues. But, dont panic. Theres plenty that you can do about mold growing in your home and about mold allergies.

How Much Mold Exposure Is Harmful

In addition to the most common black mold symptoms and side effects, prolonged black mold exposure can cause even more symptoms.

Many include neurological and physical side effects:

• Memory loss and confusion.
• Various diseases, and infections
• In Extreme cases death can occur if the above stated symptoms are left untreated, and you continue to be exposed to black mold.

Some of these black mold symptoms are scary. It is important to see a doctor as soon as these symptoms occur.

Any amount of time being in a mold infested home can cause negative reactions to your health.

So, to answer your question Is black mold dangerous? the answer is YES!!

What Causes Mold Allergy

Molds produce spores. Allergies happen when your immune system is very sensitive to outside substances, such as mold spores. Your body produces antibodies against the mold spores. As youre repeatedly exposed to the mold spores over time, your body sees the mold spores as something to be destroyed and your immune system creates bigger reactions to protect you.

Its also possible to allergic to fungi in food, like mushrooms or fermented foods. This type of allergy generally causes local symptoms in the mouth and can cause rashes or even affect breathing.

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Myths About Black Mold

Its important to address myths some people may have about black mold. One common rumor is that black mold releases toxic compounds called mycotoxins that cause health issues, like memory loss, headaches, and infant pulmonary hemorrhage.

But according to a review from 2017, theres no evidence that exposure to black mold causes particular health conditions.

Furthermore, while a variety of molds produce mycotoxins, these compounds are primarily dangerous for humans only when eaten in significant quantities.

A 2019 review of research into this topic states theres currently no evidence that mycotoxins in the air cause disease.

Mold Allergies: An Overview

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on nearly anything, as long as some moisture is present. Many molds grow on grasses and grains, in compost piles, or underneath rotten logs and fallen leavesmaking the beginning of fall a perfect time for them to thrive. Alternatively, damp basements or humid laundry rooms or bathrooms may also provide the ideal environment for mold to grow year-round.

Unlike plants and animals, molds reproduce and grow through spores, which are lightweight and extremely small seeds that can travel through the air.

Breathing in these spores is where problems may arise. There are a few mold species in particular that are responsible for allergy symptoms:

Mildew is also a type of mold, and seeing its thin gray, black, or whit dusting on upholstery, fabric, or walls may also indicate the presence of an allergy trigger. Worse, if you notice black mold, you may have the toxic Stachybotrys species growing in your damp walls or near water damage.This type of fungi can be extremely hazardous to human health, especially with long-term exposure.

As far as the other types of mold go, they can cause allergy symptomswhether or not you have a mold allergy.

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What Is Mold Allergy

An allergy is an abnormal reaction by your immune system to common substances that dont affect most people. Molds are a type of fungus that exists almost everywhere in the world. The molds that grow inside our houses prefer dark and damp places and can be harmful to some people with immune systems that develop responses against mold.

People with mold allergies may develop itchy skin or rash, watery or itchy eyes, runny or itchy noses or in more severe cases, breathing problems.

There are probably thousands of different types of molds. Its possible to be allergic to only certain types of mold.

Who Does Mold Allergy Affect

Molds can irritate everyone, regardless of whether you’re allergic to them. But the effects are generally worse for certain groups of people who have compromised immune systems due to disease or medication.

Risk factors for developing an allergy to mold include:

• Having a family or personal history of allergies.
• Having a respiratory condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .
• Being exposed to mold over a long period of time due to your job or to living in a humid house or a building with poor ventilation.

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Coughing And Shortness Of Breath

The irritation and inflammation caused by mold often lead to frequent coughing that is otherwise unexplained.

The throat and lungs are irritated continuously when repeatedly exposed to mycotoxins. If the issue isnt addressed, this coughing can develop into more severe conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

The same inflammation that causes irritated, constricted airways that lead to wheezing and coughing can eventually lead to shortness of breath.

This gives a feeling of tightness in the chest. It may feel like you are unable to take in a full breath.

Brain Spect Imaging Helps Treat Brain Toxicity Caused By Black Mold

Kimberlyn had booked a Full Evaluation, which took two days to complete. She filled out multiple questionnaires and history forms, talked to specialized counselors, and finally had a set of SPECT images taken of her brain. Just to really see exactly what was happening to my brain in the SPECT scans and that I do have a toxic injury due to mold was amazing, said Kimberlyn. They did such a good job with all of the evaluations, and they were so thorough. By the end of the second day, Dr. Arsalan Darmal had a whole binder of material that discussed the results of the testing I had done while I was there.

Dr. Darmal and the staff at Amen Clinics Orange County, CA discovered that Kimberlyn also had ADHD and a previous traumatic brain injury that was increasing the effects of the mold injury. When my brain swelled from the mold exposure, I was getting almost no blood flow to my prefrontal cortex, explained Kimberlyn.

Co-occurring conditions that can increase the effects of an injury or illness on the brain are common, yet can be easily overlooked. Kimberlyn was shocked to hear that the brain injury she had suffered in high school was impacting her life today and even more surprised that she had ADHD. The medication for ADHD has made a huge difference in my productivity and ability to focus. That was like the bonus prize that I wasnt even expecting, said Kimberlyn.

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Do I Need Professional Testing

In short, usually not! Because, remember the saying: no mold, no matter what color, belongs in a healthy home. And that is good news because a professional mold inspection with testing can run anywhere from $300-$750. In most cases where mold is clearly visible, knowing exactly what type of mold you have is unnecessary. We advise most of our clients to forgo the inspection process and just apply that money saved to the cost of fixing the problem. The EPA agrees that mold testing isnt necessary in most cases.

There are exceptions, however, such as when a mold inspection with testing is required as part of a real estate sale or if you require proof that a mold problem is present, such as for a legal dispute. If you think you may have a mold problem, but arent sure, then we recommend formal testing from a professional. And if you require clearance testing to verify an all clear after a mold problem is fixed, then professional mold testing is necessary.

How To Prevent Allergic Reactions To Mold

The key to controlling mold allergies is reducing your exposure to mold, whether indoors or out. Here are some steps you can take at home to lessen the likelihood of mold growth:

• Eliminate sources of water or dampness in your basement
• Change your furnace filters every three months
• Use a dehumidifier in spots where moisture accumulates
• Use air conditioners with high-efficiency particulate air filters
• Adequately ventilate bathrooms, washrooms, and kitchens
• Remove carpets from bathrooms and washrooms
• Promote groundwater drainage on your property
• Throw away old books, magazines, and newspapers
• Clean out drains and other water-collection points
• Remove garbage from the premises
• Wear a mask when gardening or working outdoors

Read Also: Can Almond Milk Cause Nut Allergy

Mold Allergy Symptoms And Signs

Hurricane Harvey made his unwelcome arrival in Houston, TX on August 25. Homes all over the state are badly affected by the floods. With increasing dampness coupled with warm temperatures and secondary flooding issues, theres an increased risk of infestations of toxic black mold in homes in our area.

Unfortunately, mold in house thrives in this general atmosphere. In fact, it can grow within days.

Mold growth after a hurricane is extremely common and extensive. Take for example in the case of Hurricane Katrina. Studies revealed extensive mold growth in New Orleans homes affected by the devastating storm, even in those that had only flooded part of the way.

In the case of a terrible event such as Hurricane Harvey, be aware that levels of mold may sometimes continue to increase for as long as a year after this category of natural disaster.

As the waters start to recede here in Houston, and we go back to our properties and businesses to evaluate the damage, it leaves us susceptible to the signs and symptoms of mold.

In this post, we want to give you a heads up to the mold allergy symptoms and signs so you know what to look out for.

How Do Doctors Test For Mold Exposure

If you are aware of mold growth in your home and you feel sick, inform your doctor about the mold and your symptoms right away. But sometimes you cant see mold, and it is not clear whether its mold exposure thats made you sick or not.

Because mold allergy or mold exposure symptoms can resemble that of other allergies, the doctor will typically start by asking about your medical and family medical history. Additionally, doctors usually run tests for mold exposure which may include one or more of the following:

• Skin test for reactions to allergens, including mold
• IgG mold antibodies test to see the immune systems reaction to molds. A positive test means that an individual was or is currently exposed to mold
• Urine mycotoxins test
• A fungal culture of the nasal sinuses

The type of testing youll receive depends on the doctor you visit, so be sure to ask questions ahead of time so you can feel confident in your diagnosis.

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How To Remove Black Mold Yourself

Did you know that its often possible to remove black mold yourself? Its true! Professional mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars and is often excluded from many homeowners insurance policies. But in many instances hiring a mold removal professional isnt necessary and black mold can be removed by a handy homeowner in less than one weekend of work.

If you feel like you may be a homeowner who is up to the challenge, weve written an eBook that gives step-by-step instructions on how to tackle your mold problem. For less than $20, we guarantee that youll save hundreds, if not thousands, of your hard-earned dollars.

You can purchase our eBook here:

• eBook: Step-by-step DIY Mold Removal eBook

And if youre not comfortable tackling the problem yourself, were happy to provide you a quote if youre in our service area. Just contact us for a completely free quote.

Bottom Line: No mold belongs in a healthy home. Be it black mold, or any other color of mold. It should all be treated the same. If you have mold, remove it.

Identifying Symptoms Of A Mold Allergy

Typically, symptoms for outdoor and indoor mold are very similar. In fact, many people assume that their allergies are caused only by outdoor factors – but the truth is that if any mold is present within their home they will continue experiencing symptoms even when the allergy season is over.

Outdoor mold typically causes symptoms of mold allergies in the warmer months, because mold thrives in humid and warm climates. Symptoms of a mold allergy may include:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Recurring sinus infections

These symptoms of a mold allergy will continue as long as you are exposed to the mold spores. With outdoor mold allergies, typically the symptoms will decrease in the colder months. However, indoor mold allergies can continue throughout the year as long as the mold is present within your home. If you want to completely get rid of your indoor symptoms of mold allergies, then you should follow the proper steps to identify and clean up the mold that is growing in your home.

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What Causes Mold Allergies

The root cause of mold allergies is similar to that of other types of allergies: the hypersensitivity of the bodys immune system to certain invading or foreign elements, in this case, fungal spores. This overreaction results in antibody production, leading to repeat episodes in future contact with the allergen.

Molds occur in almost every human setting. They are also associated with certain foods and medications. Not all molds cause allergies but several common forms do, including aspergillus, cladosporium, alternaria, and penicillium. Several factors may increase your risk of developing a mold allergy:

• A family history of allergies or asthma
• An occupation with significant mold exposures
• A house or apartment with poor ventilation
• A house or apartment with high humidity, water seepage, or flood damage

How Does Black Mold Affect Children

Black mold exposure can impact a childs health if they inhale, ingest, or come into skin or eye contact with mold spores. According to the Centers for Disease Control , black mold exposure is linked to respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In addition, black mold exposure can cause some children to develop asthma, especially those who have genetically compromised immune systems.

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Common Black Mold Allergy Symptoms

When someone that is allergic to black mold comes into contact withit, their immune system responds as if its something extremelyhazardous. They begin to produce a chemical called histamine, which iswhat causes the allergy symptoms.

Symptoms of black mold allergyinclude runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, wheezing when youbreathe, watery eyes or red and irritated eyes, rash or hives, headachesand shortness of breath. Sinus infections, sore throat or throatinfections can also result, along with fever.

Symptoms vary inseverity from person to person and not every person experiences everypossible allergy symptom. Symptoms can be very debilitating for somepeople, and sometimes lead to the development of more serious healthproblems such as asthma attacks.

Other types of household mold canalso cause allergy symptoms and other health problems. The truth isthat no type of mold is healthful in our homes.

A Qualified Environmental Lab Took Samples Of The Mold In My Home And Gave Me The Results Can Cdc Interpret These Results

Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable or normal quantity of mold have not been established. Sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of mold have not been set. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth. If you do decide to pay for environmental sampling for molds, before the work starts, you should ask the consultants who will do the work to establish criteria for interpreting the test results. They should tell you in advance what they will do or what recommendations they will make based on the sampling results. The results of samples taken in your unique situation cannot be interpreted without physical inspection of the contaminated area or without considering the buildings characteristics and the factors that led to the present condition.

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Where Mold Spores Come From

Outdoor mold spores grow naturally in many locations, and they work in the environment to break down decomposing substances. They are part of the circle of life, and it is impossible to get rid of the mold outdoors. If you have symptoms of mold allergy that result from outdoor mold, then you will most likely develop more severe symptoms in the warmer months.

Indoor mold spores come from specific damp areas where mold has been growing. When mold spores are in the air and land on a damp surface, they will take hold and begin to duplicate and spread. As the mold spreads, it will continue to release additional spores into the air, causing your mold allergies symptoms to become even worse.