What kind of symptoms can mold cause

Inside your home you can control mold growth by: Controlling humidity levels; Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes; Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding; Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity levels change over the course of a day with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.

Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months. Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

How do you get the molds out of buildings, including homes, schools, and places of employment? Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold: Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes. Open windows and doors to provide fresh air. Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.

Small areas such as a shower, or an area the size of a door can often be cleaned by residents, but larger areas might need more professional help. Are there any circumstances where people should vacate a home or other building because of mold? I found mold growing in my home; how do I test the mold? A qualified environmental lab took samples of the mold in my home and gave me the results.

Can CDC interpret these results? Should I be concerned about a serious health risk to me and my family? There is always a little mold everywhere — in the air and on many surfaces. Quick Links. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.

Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. People with existing health problems are more susceptible to mold-related issues. We will mention three primary health conditions that make an individual more likely to develop mold exposure symptoms: chronic diseases, allergies, and immune suppression.

Individuals with the chronic respiratory disease might develop mold poisoning symptoms after inhaling just a small amount of mold spores.

The more — the worse their condition and symptoms will be. So, people with asthma or obstructive pulmonary disorder need to be on full guard when dealing with mold. If a person is allergic to mold, the reaction for mold exposure might be more intense. It can show itself as a respiratory reaction or on the skin. Because people with allergies are more sensitive, it is important to minimize contact with moldy areas or infected air, as longer exposure can lead to more severe problems.

Also, those with immune suppression are in a high-risk zone for developing fungal infections after mold exposure. Even if your immune system normally works well, but you just had the flu — your immune system will likely be weak after fighting the virus.

Alcohol, smoking, and bad nutrition also suppress your immune system, making you more susceptible to mold poisoning. Depending on the type of mold and the way an individual was exposed to it, the symptoms may vary.

Some people experience mold poisoning symptoms seasonally, but some are affected year-round. Again, in some people, mold poisoning might be asymptomatic with no obvious symptoms , while in others, it might cause a variety of problems. By the way, your pets are also affected by mold poisoning. As we mentioned before, people with allergies are more susceptible to mold exposure than others. Living in a house with unhealthy mold conditions, being exposed to it at work or at school might cause the following symptoms:.

The symptoms might be more severe if the mold exposure continues. It could also make current health issues worse if not addressed, which includes asthma and lung diseases. But, a person may become more susceptible to mold infections if the immune system is suppressed by medications, diseases, tobacco, or alcohol.

People with lung problems or previous conditions are more likely to develop an infection. The baffling array of symptoms often leaves doctors scratching their heads. Joint pain is a difficult symptom because it can point to conditions such as rheumatism. But your doctor will be able to conduct blood tests to rule those out. In this case, mold. Everyone else has the immune system response to defeat the toxins caused by exposure to mold.

So testing is vital. Your physician must find mycotoxins in your system while an inspector identifies the cause of the mold. Your first port of call is your doctor. He or she can rule out other health problems that might be causing your symptoms.

You might think that you can simply check with your family or colleagues to see if they exhibit similar symptoms. But unfortunately, some people are more sensitive to mold than others.

So you might develop symptoms and the guy in the next cubicle is none the wiser. But shopping for Regardless of the type of mold, it is important to remove it from the home for hygiene and health reasons.

Read this article in Spanish. If you have anxiety, a faster heartbeat, or an upset stomach after drinking coffee, you probably have a caffeine sensitivity.

But does such a…. Allergies, a cold, the flu, and other infections can cause similar symptoms, including a sore throat.

Learn to find the cause of a sore throat here. Allergic asthma occurs when someone is around certain triggers. Symptoms include chest tightness. Treatment may be possible at home or with lifestyle…. We take a look at the health effects of the common mold Cladosporium, the associated symptoms it can cause, and some removal tips.

What are the effects of black mold exposure? Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M. Is it dangerous? Diagnosis Treatment Getting rid of mold Prevention Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers.

How dangerous is black mold to health? Share on Pinterest Some molds can release mycotoxins. Share on Pinterest A person who suspects they may have a mold allergy should speak to a doctor. Getting rid of mold. Share on Pinterest Thoroughly removing mold can help with long term relief from allergic symptoms. Allergy Asthma Respiratory Seasonal Allergy.