Feeling sick all the time?
Mold symptoms are varied and can be mild and progress to severe. A list below will show you some of the common ailments from a mold infestation or outbreak. Raleigh Mold Inspection and Remediation serves many parts of North Carolina. This includes: Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas.
Mold Symptoms From Exposure
- Flu-like symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Rashes
- Hair loss
- Allergies
- Respiratory ailments
- Sinus problems
- Burning or itchy eyes
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Fatigue or Dizziness
Recent Berkeley Lab, EPA Studies confirm the enormity of the public health and economic impact of dampness and mold. They estimate that the number of asthma cases alone attributable to home mold exposure is 4.6 million, at an annual cost of $3.5 Billion.
Many homes have problems without even knowing it, and family members are suffering the consequences, not knowing why. Musty smell is only one tell-tale sign of mold.
Damp crawl space and basement, hidden leaky pipes, undetected roof leaks, condensation or faulty drain systems can result in mold growth inside of walls, under floors or carpets and inside of your HVAC system. If left undetected, mold can continue to grow and create major health and structural problems.
The level of danger varies with the type.
Children, the elderly and anyone with immune sensitivities are at risk to the effects. Effects can vary depending on the variety and quantity of mold present in your home. You may think that you know what to look for, but there are thousands of varieties of molds and finding the mold is not always easy. This is why you need a certified mold inspector.
Health Effects and Symptoms Associated with Mold Exposure
When moisture problems occur and mold growth results, building occupants may begin to report odors and a variety of health problems, such as headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and aggravation of asthma symptoms; all of these symptoms could potentially be associated with mold exposure.
All molds have the potential to cause health effects. It produces allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxins that may cause reactions in humans even death in some cases. The types and severity of symptoms depend, in part, on the types of mold present, the extent of an individual’s exposure, the ages of the individuals, and their existing sensitivities or allergies.
Specific reactions include the following:
Allergic Reactions
Inhaling or touching mold or spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions are common – these reactions can be immediate or delayed. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Spores and fragments can produce allergic reactions in sensitive individuals regardless of whether it is dead or alive. Repeated or single exposure to mold or spores may cause previously non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive. Repeated exposure has the potential to increase sensitivity.
Asthma
Molds can trigger asthma attacks in persons who are allergic (sensitized) to molds. The irritants produced by molds may also worsen asthma in non-allergic (non-sensitized) people.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis may develop following either short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) exposure to molds. The disease resembles bacterial pneumonia and is uncommon.
Irritant Effects
Mold exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and sometimes can create a burning sensation in these areas.
Opportunistic Infections
People with weakened immune systems (i.e., immune-compromised or immune-suppressed individuals) may be more vulnerable to infections by molds (as well as more vulnerable than healthy persons to mold toxins). Aspergillus fumigatus, for example, has been known to infect the lungs of immune-compromised individuals. These individuals inhale the spores which then start growing in their lungs. Trichoderma has also been known to infect immune-compromised children. Healthy individuals are usually not vulnerable to opportunistic infections from airborne mold exposure. However, it can also cause common skin diseases, such as athlete’s foot, as well as other infections such as yeast infections.
Please see a doctor if you think your symptoms is caused by mold and contact us for a mold inspection and testing.
