{"id":19856,"date":"2020-01-24T21:32:24","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T21:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecleanupguys.com\/?p=19856"},"modified":"2024-10-09T00:45:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T05:45:51","slug":"understanding-the-health-risks-of-black-mold-symptoms-prevention-and-remediation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/understanding-the-health-risks-of-black-mold-symptoms-prevention-and-remediation\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding The Health Risks Of Black Mold Symptoms Prevention And Remediation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Black mold can take over homes or other buildings, especially in wet or moist areas. Exposure over a long period of time to black mold can be very harmful to health and may cause various symptoms, which makes professional black mold removal imperative. If you&#8217;re dealing with mold issues, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecleanupguys.com\/services\/mold-removal-and-remediation\/\"><strong>mold remediation in the Chicago area<\/strong><\/a> is essential to ensure safe and thorough removal.<\/p>\n<p>We will discuss black mold, its effects on health, and how to treat and prevent exposure.<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What is black mold?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some molds can release mycotoxins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Black mold is a very dark green or black fungus and often has a distinct musty or damp, mildew-type smell.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Black mold can be one of several different species of fungus, including <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stachybotrys chartum<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mold can grow on surfaces that contain a lot of cellulose, such as fiberboard, wood, gypsum board, or paper. The mold bacteria prefers damp, warm environments and can grow <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">under ripe<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Black mold can survive and grow exponentially in humid areas, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and shower cubicles. A burst pipe or flooding can trigger mold growth in areas of a building that <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are not readily seen<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, such as between wall layers or underneath floorboards, carpets, or sub-flooring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They can release harmful toxins into the surrounding environment. Breathing these toxins into the lungs may lead to specific health effects and symptoms. Those with lung disease or weakened immune systems tend to have a higher risk of these effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What is black mold poisoning?<\/h2>\n<p>Black mold poisoning is a form of mycotoxicosis, which can occur if a person breathes in too many mycotoxins over a long period. Mycotoxins are the toxins that some molds release into the air.<\/p>\n<p>The symptoms of black mold poisoning mimic those of an upper respiratory tract infection, such as the flu or common cold. However, people with other health conditions or a weakened immune system may experience more severe symptoms.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Symptoms of black mold<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The symptoms of black mold could be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>coughing<\/li>\n<li>wheezing<\/li>\n<li>a stuffy nose<\/li>\n<li>a runny nose<\/li>\n<li>red eyes<\/li>\n<li>itchy skin or eyes<\/li>\n<li>a sore or itchy throat<\/li>\n<li>nosebleeds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Black mold exposure can also potentially worsen the symptoms of other respiratory conditions. Case in point, a person with asthma or a respiratory allergy could see symptoms get worse or have to deal with new ones, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>persistent coughing<\/li>\n<li>headaches<\/li>\n<li>frequent chest colds<\/li>\n<li>difficulty breathing<\/li>\n<li>allergic reactions<\/li>\n<li>inflammation of the sinuses<\/li>\n<li>general fatigue and lethargy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In a few cases, long-term exposure to high levels of these toxins can cause more severe symptoms, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>memory loss<\/li>\n<li>trouble concentrating<\/li>\n<li>sensitivity to light<\/li>\n<li>anxiety<\/li>\n<li>nerve issues, such as numbness in the hands and feet<\/li>\n<li>general pain and cramps<\/li>\n<li>unexplained weight gain<\/li>\n<li>anxiety<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>At-risk groups<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Some people may have a higher risk of developing symptoms than others. At-risk groups include people with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>asthma<\/li>\n<li>seasonal allergies, such as hay fever<\/li>\n<li>mold allergies<\/li>\n<li>chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>People with a weakened immune system also have a higher risk and may need to take extra care to avoid black mold exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Black mold exposure may be more harmful in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), research implies that young children who inhale mold toxins early on in life could be more likely to contract asthma.<\/p>\n<p>This appears to be more of a dilemma in children with a family history of asthma.<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How dangerous is black mold to health?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Black mold can be quite dangerous if inhaled. The internet makes many exaggerated claims about its dangers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It usually takes time and consistent exposure to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecleanupguys.com\/services\/mold-removal-and-remediation\/\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">black mold<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> for symptoms to develop.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Inhaling black mold toxins may potentially worsen symptoms or trigger flare-ups in people with respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma, and respiratory allergies. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> can happen sporadically in humid environments with a lot of moisture or extremely high pollen counts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Skin prick tests are a standard method of allergy testing and can help determine whether a person is allergic to mold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">During this test, a healthcare professional places a drop of liquid containing the mold onto the skin on the individual&#8217;s arm or back. They then prick the skin beneath the drop with a small needle. If the person is allergic to the mold, an itchy, red rash will usually develop quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Getting rid of black mold<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To relieve symptoms from mold allergies or poisoning<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, it is essential to eradicate or eliminate the cause of the exposure. This may require thoroughly removing mold or bacteria from all surfaces in a property and taking necessary steps to prevent it from returning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You will need to completely clean the entire room or area and ensure that all signs of mold are eliminated. If possible, the surfaces should be kept completely dry to avoid any future incidents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If possible, clean all filters, vents, and ducts to prevent mold growth in air conditioning systems and humidifiers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Porous items with a mold infestation, such as mattresses, carpets, or drywall, can be difficult to clean and sanitize. In this regard, it is better to hire a professional <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecleanupguys.com\/services\/mold-removal-and-remediation\/\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">mold remediation company<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> that specializes in mold cleanup and removal protocols.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The mold remediation process will take place in a sheltered or tarped environment to not release toxins into the air while the process is underway. It is advisable not to be near or on the premises while this process <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is implemented<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Generally, depending on how harmful the contamination is, the mold remediation process can take <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">anywhere from<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> 3 to 10 days to complete after the process equipment <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is set up<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to remove all traces of contaminants from any of the surfaces and from spores that <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">may have been released<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> into the air.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As you can see, it is a lengthy and arduous process that requires the right steps to restore the air quality in your property. Get professional help!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Black mold can take over homes or other buildings, especially in wet or moist areas. Exposure over a long period [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-professional-mold-remediation"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19856","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19856"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33275,"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19856\/revisions\/33275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matrixbricks.us\/thecleanupguys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}