Symptoms of Black Mold: Signs You Should Never Ignore
Imagine, you wake up in the morning and see the fuzzy black patch lurking on the walls of your bathroom? What’s that? The culprit behind these black spots are black mold who thrive in damp areas hence love to dwell in your bathroom, attics and basement.
You can’t ignore the black toxic mold as they are ubiquitous in the environment posing property damage and adverse health hazards. Yeah you heard it right! If left untreated these micro menaces not only weaken your great aesthetics but engender several mental, physiological and neurological health risks by spreading spores in the air we breathe in.
Since black mold are uninvited guests you need to know the warning signs of these invaders or when they are on their way to your property, so that you can take action immediately against their defeat.
This article helps you explore the symptoms associated with toxic black mold exposure, the dangers of prolonged exposure, and the steps you can take to address the issue.
What is Toxic Black Mold?
Areas that are constantly exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, and areas with water damage make the prime environment for black mold growth. They are fungi that grow indoors and outdoors and are scientifically known as Stachybotrys chartarum. Also, they appear dark green or black and often give off a musty odor.
Furthermore, black mold is particularly dangerous due to the mycotoxins it releases into the air. These toxins can lead to a wide range of health issues, especially in individuals who are sensitive or have weakened immune systems.
Uncovering the Dangerous Symptoms of Toxic Black Mold
From your nervous system to the respiratory system, there are several parts of the living body through which toxic black show their symptoms before they completely conquer your house. Calling professional mold removal services is mandatory, when things get out of the hand.
The symptoms of toxic black mold exposure vary depending on the severity of the contamination, the length of exposure, and the individual’s overall health.
Here is how you can recognize the signs:
- Neurological and Mental Symptoms
Black mold produces the trichothecene mycotoxins that are neurotoxic. This means they can kill neurons in the brain and impair a person’s mental ability. Furthermore, since it’s linked to the neural system it can cause tremors and personality changes such as mood swings and irritability.
Neurological Symptoms
- Confusion
- Migraine
- Brain fog
- Shortened attention span
- Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
- Slowed reflexes
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Memory loss and memory problems — Cognitive issues
- Impaired learning ability
- Hallucinations
- Tingling
- Trembling
- Shaking
- Seizure
- Numbness
Signs Showing Poor Mental Health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Forgetfulness
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Shock
- Aggression and other personality changes
- Warning Respiratory Signs
One of the most prominent signs is respiratory distress due to the growth of toxic black mold. However, they are often mistaken for common colds or seasonal allergies, which is why toxic black mold often goes undetected for extended periods.
- Persistent coughing or sneezing
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Sore throat
- Burning sensation of the mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose
- Stuffy, blocked nose
- Nose bleeds
- Asthma flare-ups (for those already diagnosed with asthma)
- Circulatory Signs
The blood pumping organ— heart lies in the circulatory system. Can you imagine the disaster to your body, if it doesn’t work fine? Black mold causes heart damage, as well as problems with blood clotting and internal or external haemorrhaging. We can breathe in the air that has mycotoxins. Eventually it finds its way into the person’s bloodstream leading the heart at risk.
Common Signs Include
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart inflammation
- Damage to heart
- Low blood pressure
- Bone marrow disruption
- Bleeding tendency
- Blood not clotting properly
- Haemorrhage (internal bleeding)
- Vomiting up blood
- Bleeding in the brain and in other organs
- Skin Symptoms
Direct contact with black mold spores can cause skin reactions in some individuals, particularly those with sensitive skin or pre-existing skin conditions.
Warning Signs
- Itchy or red skin
- Rashes
- Dry, scaly patches
- In severe cases, skin irritation may escalate to painful blisters or open sores, especially with prolonged exposure.
- Crawling skin
- Dermatitis (skin inflammation, rash, blisters, itchiness)
- Immune System Symptoms
Toxic black mold puts out chemicals which suppress the immune system. In fact, many immunosuppressive drugs are actually created from toxic molds.
Signs include
- Immunosuppression (immune system not functioning properly)
- Recurrent infections and illnesses
-
Reproductive System Symptoms
Mycotoxins from toxic black mold are teratogenic. This means that they can be problematic for the foetus during pregnancy, which further pose birth defects. You can’t imagine how serious black mold can be! Mycotoxins from black mold are also cytoxotic and mutagenic (cause cell mutations) and inhibit protein synthesis including DNA and RNA.
Symptoms include
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Impotence
- Fetal development problems
-
Vision and Eye Symptoms
There could be hurdles to your sight if mold is around. As mycotoxins are in the air, it can enter a person’s eyes. The mycotoxins are cytotoxic (toxic to cells). When they come into contact with eye cells, they cause inflammation leading to vision problems.
Symptoms include
- Eye inflammation and soreness
- Watery eyes
- Sensivity to light
- Itching
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Eye damage
- Blurry vision and vision worsening
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes)
These black mold exposure symptoms are often accompanied by general irritation and may worsen longer if someone is exposed to an environment with black mold.
- Tiredness and Discomfort Symptoms
The immune system may release a sedative called Chloral Hydrate when a mold is lurking on the walls around. Chloral hydrate shows a defence to slow down the effects of toxic black mold. However, this also makes a person tired. Toxic black mold can also cause soreness of the muscles and joints.
Symptoms include
- Chronic fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Aches and pains
- Muscle pain
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Malaise (general discomfort)
- Headaches
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Other Signs include
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- Hearing loss
- Liver disease
Toxic Black Mold Causing Severe Complications
From fatigue to severe allergic reactions, exposure to black mold can lead to significant health complications.
- Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
This is a person’s allergic reaction to fungus that is present in the lungs. It commonly happens to individuals with cystic fibrosis or asthma.
- Allergic Fungal Sinusitis
This condition is caused when the body carries out an inflammatory response when it detects fungus in the sinuses.
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
This is one of those rare conditions that happens when a person is exposed to mold spores that result in the lungs being inflamed. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is often triggered by dust as well.
- Mold-Induced Asthma
Individuals who are allergic to the presence of black mold can trigger an asthma attack when they breathe in mold spores. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency plan at the ready at all times.
How Can You Avoid Experiencing Black Mold Exposure Symptoms?
Whether you’re living or working in a building, early prevention is a key to protecting your health and well-being from black mold. Therefore, minimise your contact with mold spores.
Opting the following strategies can help, let’s get the ball rolling!
- Fix Water Leaks
Get rid of sources that would result in the basement being damp. Fixing pipes that have been leaking and resolving groundwater seepage are beneficial ways to eliminate these sources.
- Install a Dehumidifier
Areas that have a damp feel or musty smell you can install a dehumidifier there. Keeping humidity levels lower than 50% in bathrooms and attics is ideal. It’s important to keep in mind to keep the condensation coils and collection bucket of the device cleaned regularly.
- Use an Air Conditioners
Installing a central air conditioning system that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can be helpful. This type of filter is known for trapping mold spores from outside that could circulate and cause harm indoors. Constantly change air conditioning and furnace filters. Keeping these systems inspected by the appropriate experts each year can ensure that they are clean and safe to operate.
- Use Exhaust Fans
Bathrooms and other areas that have a high potential for moisture should be well-ventilated. Running a ventilation fan before and after a bath or shower can help dry the air quickly, quite beneficial to ward off mold growth.
You can use exhaust fans in kitchens to remove excess moisture. Also, cracking a window open is one alternative for homes that don’t have ventilation fans.
- Say No to Carpeting
Carpets are significant areas that can attract mold growth because of their ability to retain moisture. Hence, avoid installing carpets in bathrooms and basements.
- Groundwater Drainage
Ensure groundwater drains away properly. Removing vegetation and debris where water flows can promote its drainage and help prevent stagnant water that could cause molds.
- Use Mold-Resistant Products
When renovating, consider using mold-resistant drywall, paint, and insulation to prevent mold growth in moisture-prone areas.
- Professional Mold Testing
Consider having your home professionally inspected for mold, especially if you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or skin irritation. You can also choose certified mold and water damage restoration in tarpon spring.
How Doctors Treat Black Mold Symptoms?
The treatment depends on the severity of black mold exposure symptoms. Doctors treat black mold by addressing both the immediate health concerns and underlying cause and what signs are indicated.Also, it can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and, in severe cases, toxic symptoms.
Here’s how doctors typically approach treatment:
- Nasal Sprays
People can purchase over-the-counter nasal corticosteroids like Flonase to minimize airway inflammation due to black mold allergies. Meanwhile, rinsing with a warm water solution and saline might help cleanse the nasal passages of the potential presence of mold spores, thereby getting rid of congestion.
- Prescribe Medications
Well-known antihistamines like Claritin and Zyrtec are capable of reducing one’s immune system response. This could help eliminate airway inflammation and provide relief to the patient. Additionally, taking decongestants such as Sudafed can lessen the swelling caused by allergic reactions.
On the other hand, if mold exposure has led to a secondary infection, such as sinusitis or bronchitis, antibiotics may be necessary to treat the infection.
- Allergy Shots – Immunotherapy
Physicians can provide individuals with regular allergy shots that contain allergens so that their immune systems can improve over time. Although these treatments are effective, keep in mind that prevention is always better than cure.
Staying away from areas where black molds are present can help individuals avoid experiencing its symptoms in the first place.
- Lifestyle and Environmental Advice
Doctors also recommend avoiding areas with mold, using air purifiers, and ensuring proper ventilation in homes or workplaces to deter further exposure. In severe cases, they might suggest consulting with mold remediation companies and avail the services.
- Long-Term Monitoring
For individuals with underlying health conditions like asthma or immunocompromised systems, regular follow-up visits are important to monitor symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.
Are Toxic Black Mold Symptoms Permanent?
When you’re no longer around toxic black mold, most of the symptoms should gradually decrease. Unfortunately, some of the health problems caused by toxic black mold are permanent. For example: after a person has lived with toxic black mold, their immune system won’t be as strong as it used to be and they’ll be more sensitive to mold and mycotoxins in the future.
If you suspect toxic black mold in your environment, it’s crucial to address the issue promptly. Black mold removal services include professional assessment and remediation which are often necessary to ensure safe removal and to prevent further health risks. If you’re experiencing health problems related to mold exposure, seeking medical advice is essential.
Our state of the art dry fog technology is a guaranteed, go-to solution for your mold removal and remediation needs. Our method is non-toxic, eco-friendly and hassle-free.
Wrapping Up
Symptoms of toxic black mold exposure are crucial for maintaining health and safety, especially in environments prone to moisture and mold growth. If the homeowner leaves the indications unaddressed, prolonged exposure may lead to more severe conditions, including cognitive impairments and long-term respiratory damage. Early detection, proper mold remediation, and creating a moisture-controlled environment are essential steps to prevent the adverse effects of toxic black mold.
