Mold is a great nuisance for the inhabitants of a house, as it harms not only their health, but also the aesthetics and, in some cases, the structural integrity of the house. This is why you must be aware of the mold exposure symptoms to identify the root of the issue. The symptoms include various respiratory issues such as asthma, irritated eyes and skin, headache, dizziness, etc.
Mold is a kind of fungus that can be seen in most houses. They, like all other types of fungi, thrive in moist and humid places, so if a house has a higher moisture level, they are sure to grow there. These fungi are one of the major causes of various respiratory diseases all over the world, and so must be dealt with as soon as possible. This is why it is essential to know the symptoms of mold exposure.
Let’s take a deep dive into the symptoms people have due to mold exposure.
Symptoms of mold exposure
Mold, like almost all other kinds of fungi, reproduces through spores. When the human body comes into contact with these spores, it tends to show various symptoms. Knowing these symptoms will help you identify the mold in your home and get rid of it as soon as possible, especially if you have kids.
Here are the exposure to mold symptoms based on various demographics to help you understand better.
Mold exposure symptoms in adults
Although adults usually have a better immune system than babies, they are not exempt from the effects of mold exposure, especially the neurological symptoms of mold exposure. When exposed to mold, almost every adult in the house starts to show at least some symptoms. Here are some of them.
- Continuous coughing: Coughing continuously is a very common sign of mold exposure. Mold particles and spores get into the throats of adults and inflame them. As a result, the throat itches, and violent coughing ensues.
- Runny Nose: Another sign that an adult has been exposed to mold is they will have a runny nose. This happens when the mold spores enter the nasal cavity of an adult, and the immune system of the body starts to reject it.
- Sore throat: When mold spores enter the throat of an adult, coughing is not the only thing they suffer from. Most adults also show signs of a sore throat. When the throat gets inflamed due to mold particles getting into it, the throat swells up from the inside, which makes swallowing harder and more painful than ever.
- Headaches caused by sinus: Some molds can cause fungal sinus infection, which is a long-term mold exposure symptom. When that happens, the sinus suffers from inflammation. This also causes allergic reactions and sometimes a severe headache.
Mold exposure symptoms in kids
Kids are the most vulnerable when it comes to mold exposure and related illnesses. They typically have a very weak immune system compared to that of adults, and hence, they suffer the most when exposed to mold. Here are the mold exposure symptoms in babies you need to watch out for.
- Sneezing fit: When the mold spores get into the respiratory system of children, their immune system starts working overtime. As a result of the rejection process of the body, they start to sneeze frequently, which is one of the common symptoms of black mold exposure. Due to the weaker nature of their immune system, the sneezing often turns into a sneezing fit.
- Bronchitis and Pneumonia: Mold-like fungi are one of the main reasons for children to suffer from two of the most deadly diseases, bronchitis and pneumonia. Both of these mold exposure symptoms in toddlers are caused when mold spores are inhaled by them in large amounts, and these particles get into the respiratory system. Then they travel down to the bronchi and lungs, which causes children to suffer from these aforementioned diseases.
- Red, itchy, watery eyes: Apart from the respiratory system, children’s eyes are also very vulnerable to mold exposure. As the mold enters their eyes, they are inflamed and start to itch and get red. Additionally, as the eyes start to reject the mold spores and are inflamed, they start to water up due to long-term exposure to black mold symptoms.
Mold exposure symptoms in dogs
Not even your dogs are safe from exposure to mold and mildew. And sometimes their exposure symptoms go unnoticed and untreated, which can even turn fatal in some cases. Here are those symptoms you have to look out for.
- Labored Breathing: When mold particles get into any respiratory system, be it animal or human, it creates some issues. When your dog’s respiratory system is attacked by mold particles, its breathing becomes incredibly labored, and it also starts wheezing as a result. This is because the respiratory system gets inflamed and swollen, which makes breathing a lot tougher.
- Nasal Discharge: Another clear sign that your dog is exposed to mold is continuous nasal discharge. This discharge is not natural and can have various colors, such as yellow, blood red, or sometimes even clear.
- Unnatural scratching and licking: When mold spores are trapped in the fur of the dogs, they start to take root in there. When that happens, the skin starts to get itchy and irritated. Then your pet starts to scratch and lick the area excessively, which causes hair to fall out in patches in and around that area.
- Diarrhoea and loss of appetite: Mold can affect the digestive system of your dog, too. As a result of that, the animal will suffer from a lack of appetite and diarrhoea. This can turn fatal if not treated as soon as possible.
How to prevent mold exposure
Now that you know what toxic mold exposure symptoms people start to show in case of mold exposure, you have to know how to prevent the exposure altogether. Here are some steps you have to follow to prevent mold exposure.
- Controlling moisture: Since moisture and humidity are the main causes for mold and mildew growth, you must ensure that your home’s moisture is well-controlled. Any leaks must be repaired within the first 48 hours. Indoor humidity must be kept under 50%. If needed, use dehumidifiers or exhaust fans. Proper ventilation also goes a long way in this case.
- Proper maintenance of your home: Apart from moisture control, the proper maintenance of your home goes a long way to prevent mold growth. Always keep your gutters and downspouts clean, which ensures that water does not pool around the foundation of your home.
Additionally, the landscaping of your home must slope away from it. This allows the rainwater to roll away from your home towards the drainage system or the road. Finally, use proper sealing on your doors and windows to make sure water does not get into the house easily during rainstorms.
- Reducing internal sources of mold: There are plenty of internal sources that help mold to grow if left unchecked. For example, your shower is probably the most humid place in your home. If you don’t keep it dry and clean it regularly, it will be a breeding ground for mold.
When painting the inside of the house, always paint with mold-resistant paints. This also goes when you are installing drywall. Install drywall that is resistant to moisture. Additionally, declutter the area with the most moisture. Clutter can retain moisture, while also keeping the place dark, which is a great condition for the mold to grow.
Finally, always keep an eye on the HVAC filters of your home. Older filters can not filter out mold particles, and sometimes mold can grow on the filters themselves. So, if your HVAC filters are getting old and worn out, change them as soon as possible.
- Look out for early signs: One thing about mold exposure is that there is always some kind of sign before everything starts to go sideways. Look out for these signs around your house. One of the first signs of mold growth is a musty smell all around your home. Even if you can’t see the mold, the smell should give it away.
Regularly check hidden spots around your house. Check behind furniture, inside your closets and cabinets, your attic, and crawl spaces, since these are the places mold can grow the most.
If your house suffers water damage, there is a very big chance it will invite mold to grow within the first 24 hours. So, after water damage, start looking for mold growth signs. Wait 24 hours before looking for old in this particular case, since the fungus takes some time to grow after water damage.
How Long Does It Take to Get Sick from Mold Exposure?
The time it takes for a person to get sick after mold exposure depends on the type of mold and the severity of the exposure. In most cases, the exposure symptoms start to show within 24 hours to a week. But in some cases, black mold exposure symptoms can last for a long time, and they might take even a year to surface.
Can you recover from Mold sickness?
Yes, you can absolutely recover from mold sickness. But the time to recover will depend on how severe the sickness was. It also depends on the overall health of the patient. Mild to medium exposure symptoms start to disappear within weeks of their first arrival.
On the other hand, if the patient has been in poor health beforehand, or the exposure level was too severe, then it might take a long time before they can fully recover.
Can mold cause bronchitis?
Mold is one of the main reasons people suffer from Bronchitis. When mold particles get into the bronchi of humans, they cause the area to be irritated and itch. When people keep inhaling these spores, the bronchial lining gets inflamed and swells up. As a result, mucus production increases, and patients suffer from violent coughing and breathing difficulties.
Is white fuzzy mold on food dangerous?
Your house isn’t the only place mold can grow and harm you. It can also grow on your food. Sometimes you might notice white fuzzy spots on your food and think it’s safe to eat. But these white molds are quite dangerous as they are one of the food mold exposure symptoms.
White mold can not only spoil your food and cause you health issues that way, but it can also cause you various diseases directly. Because of coming into contact with white mold on food, you might suffer from severe allergic reactions. You may also suffer from vomiting, nausea, and even diarrhoea. So, whenever you see white fuzzy mold on your food, throw it away; you can not save it.
Conclusion
Mold, no matter what type it is, is seriously dangerous for any household. It can cost you a lot of money, effort, and even the lives of your family members if not dealt with quickly. So, know the mold exposure symptoms, remove the mold either by yourself or with the help of a professional mold cleaning service like us, and keep your household healthy.