ve Effects if Black Mold To One’s Health

Negative Effects if Black Mold To One’s Health

All types of mold can cause a wide array of health problems especially the black molds, probably the reason why the stachybotrys black mold is also known as the toxic mold. An individual’s susceptibility to the health hazards that the black mold brings are dependent on various factors such as the extent of the mold infestation and the period of exposure – the longer the person is exposed to the black mold, the more prone he is to develop diseases caused by it. Also, the person’s immune defense plays a major role to one’s susceptibility. Those who are immunocompromised or with lowered immune defense brought about by preexisting illness, age (infants, elderly) and those who are on chemotherapy are most likely to be affected by the mycotoxins of the black mold.

There are many ways in which a person can be exposed to the black mold and be infected by it. Firstly, mycotoxins of the black mold are released in the air together with the mold spores and can be contracted by an individual through breathing. Another mode of entry is through direct contact with the black mold. Ingestion of the black mold is also another route of exposure. There are many health problems associated with exposure to the black mold, and can be narrowed down into three.

The most common reaction associated with the exposure to back mold is the allergic reaction. Allergic reactions are drawn out when an allergen – the mycotoxins, in the case of the black mold – is released into the air and is inhaled by the person and eventually causes an immune response triggering the body to release histamines responsible for the allergic reaction signs and symptoms. The symptoms of allergic reaction can range from mild and infrequent reactions to severe and chronic. Signs and symptoms of allergies are marked by runny nose, coughing, sneezing, itchy and watery or reddened eyes, sinusitis, and throat irritation, breathing problems, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and asthma.

The ingestion and inhalation of the mycotoxins could lead to irritation of the membranes and disturbances or disruption of the normal functioning of the central nervous system causing health problems such as irritability, headaches, learning difficulties, mental dysfunction, personality changes, vertigo or dizziness, eye or vision disturbances, decreased attention span, inability to concentrate and seizures in worst conditions. If the exposure to the mycotoxins is through skin contact, the most common diseases that can be associated with it are skin rashes, dermatitis, dandruff problems and hives.

Home Inspector Tampa FL

If the exposure is chronic, the mycotoxins may have already invaded the person’s system and cause opportunistic diseases brought about by infection affecting those who are immunocompromised. Samples of these health problems are diarrhea, fatigue, general malaise, kidney failure, chronic pain from inflammation and vomiting.

Either one or ore of these signs and symptoms may be presented by the individual affected by the black mold’s mycotoxins. To prevent these health problems from affecting you and your family, see to it that regular inspection for mold growth is done and that moisture retention is avoided and good ventilation all throughout the household is maintained.
Tampa Mold Remediation