Can black mold kill you? In most cases, no. However, some people are at a significantly higher risk for mold related illness/death including very old and very young people and those with serious respiratory issues like COPD and Cystic Fibrosis.
How does it affect your health? Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mould spores may cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Moulds can also cause asthma attacks.
It rarely causes serious illness or death but may worsen asthma symptoms. You can't cure a black mold allergy, but a healthcare provider can diagnose it and help treat your symptoms.
Black mold can look menacing, but generally is benign. The primary symptoms that could occur would be from inhaling mold, including nasal stuffiness, nasal mucus drainage, cough, and occasionally shortness of breath or wheezing in the chest.
The only possible link is this: Mold can cause pulmonary fibrosis (PF), which is scarring in your lungs. If you have PF for a long time, it can make you more likely to get lung cancer.
These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss.
On the basis of current research, black mold exposure is no more dangerous than any other type of mold exposure. It is impossible to avoid exposure to mold — the spores are almost everywhere in the atmosphere. In high amounts or in people with allergies, exposure to any mold may cause allergy symptoms.
Long-term mould exposure can cause severe issues that can last for a long period of time and may cause irreversible damage to the human body, so it is important to never ignore that bit of mould growing.
By breathing in a lot of these mould spores you can develop a variety of health conditions for your lungs such as Hay fever, Sleep apnea, severe coughing, Asthma, and various pulmonary infections. The area where mould is found is very important for minimizing the risk of developing these health issues.
It's rare, but exposure to mold spores can eventually cause organ damage, cognitive difficulties and even death. What's more, mold spores can irritate your lungs even if you're not allergic to mold.
Black mold can cause health problems, so it is not advisable to live in a house with black mold. If you must stay in your house while black mold is being removed, make sure to seal off any areas where black mold is present and avoid coming into contact with it.
Black mold, as the name implies, is often dark in color. When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.
When mold spores are inhaled, immune system cells surround and destroy them. But people who have a weakened immune system from illness or immunosuppressant medications have fewer infection-fighting cells. This allows aspergillus to take hold, invading the lungs and, in the most serious cases, other parts of the body.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
Those who process toxins well can see their symptoms disappear as quickly as a few days. Others who eliminate toxins slowly can experience symptoms for much longer. They could be ill for months or even years after the source of mold is eliminated.
If you suspect that you or someone else has been exposed to mold, call your doctor immediately. The symptoms of mold exposure can mimic allergic reactions, include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, skin rashes, eye irritation, and nosebleeds.
Chronic coughing and sneezing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat, rashes, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches can all be symptomatic of black mold exposure or black mold poisoning.
Getting rid of black mold with white vinegar
'Bleach will kill mold spores growing across a hard surface, but if the mold has extended below the surface, then white vinegar is the best choice,' she says. 'The vinegar will penetrate to kill the mold and mildew at the root, preventing it from regrowing.
Nasal corticosteroids.
These nasal sprays help prevent and treat the inflammation caused by an upper respiratory mold allergy. For many people, they're the most effective allergy medications, and they're often the first medication prescribed.
Imaging tests such as a chest X-ray or CT scan can help with diagnosis because your doctor may be able to spot a nodule or fungal mass on your lung, caused by the mold, that would prompt your doctor to do further testing. If they are still unsure, a tissue biopsy may be the best way to get a clear diagnosis.
Aspergillosis is rare in healthy people
You're usually only at risk of aspergillosis if you have: a lung condition – such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a weakened immune system – for example, if you have had an organ transplant or are having chemotherapy.
How long does it take most patients to detox/rebalance their systems? Some people get well very quickly (weeks) after removing the source of mold toxins, just by getting into a clean environment and avoiding re-exposure. Others can take over a year to recover fully.
It is also very important that there is adequate ventilation in the room. Open a window or door so the mold spores can escape, instead of staying locked in your home.