Types of Mold, Health Risks and Prevention Measures

Mold is an integral part of our ecosystem. Mold helps break down organic matter, such as fallen leaves or banana rinds. While most strains of mold are not harmful to humans, there are a few that are toxic. Mold grows in areas of dampness and darkness. If you have mold growing in your home, you should take a sample to get tested. If the strand is toxic, you should receive an examination to check for any adverse health effects.

 

 

 

 

There are three major groups of mold. These are;

Allergenic Mold

This type of mold doesn’t pose a major threat to humans but it can cause allergic reactions to those prone to allergies. It may cause eye and nose irritation, itchy throat and skin rashes. This mold can be quite serious to asthmatic patients as it exacerbates the condition.

Pathogenic mold

This type of mold is more serious that the allergic one as it can cause several health conditions. It affects commonly the immune-compromised individuals especially those suffering from HIV/AIDS. It can cause respiratory conditions like hypersensitivity pneumonitis

 

 

 

Toxigenic Mold

This is the worst of all. The most popular I the black mold which is extremely dangerous as it can produce toxins which can severely affect your health. It can produce aflatoxins and mycotoxins which can cause brain damage, kidney damage among other problems.

Health Effects of Mold in Your Home

Toxic mold produces hazardous byproducts, called mycotoxins. Only two types of mold, Aspergillus and Stachybotrys, are serious health threats. The effects of long-term exposure to these two types of mold may vary. Asperigillus has been linked to the following illnesses:

• Cancer

• Liver problems

• Damage to brain, kidneys and heart

Stachybotrys exposure manifests different, and has been linked to several illnesses which target a person's respiratory system. Stachybotrys exposure is associated with:

• Recurring flu-like symptoms

• Fatigue

• Respiratory conditions

• Difficulty breathing

It is impossible to determine whether or not a particular growth of mold is seriously hazardous. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, and you have seen or have reason to suspect mold growth, talk to your doctor about the potential for toxic mold poisoning.

Other Health Effects of Mold

Allergic reactions to mold are common — these reactions can be immediate or delayed up to six hours. The most common effects of mold exposure are allergic responses which include flu-like symptoms, fatigue, hay fever, infections, asthma and irritation of the eyes, tissues, skin, nose, throat or lungs which will usher into breathing difficulty, wheezing, prenumonia-like illness, nasal and sinus congestion. Reactions to allergens may vary depending on an individual's sensitivity. These effects may be minor at first but can still lead to medical crisis if left untreated.

Mold Irritant Symptoms

One of the most common troubles brought about by exposure to mold are the mold allergy symptoms. But this is not always the case. Exposure to mold could cause illnesses not accompanied by allergic reactions. Aside from irritants and toxic responses, mold could also cause infections. These infections brought about by mold can be the source of many other illnesses like pneumonia, flu and skin infections. An irritant reaction can have similar symptoms to an allergic reaction. Take note that the difference between the two is that symptoms of allergies become worse with each repeated exposure while the intensity of irritant reactions stay the same even when with several repeated exposure. Mold exposure can cause irritations to both people who are allergic to it and those who are not. Cleanliness should be observed in every house because loose mold particles that settle on different items in the house could be inhaled by people or even animals that lived there.

Control of Mold at Home

However, before you actually put up a fight against this little beast, you need to educate yourself a bit about it. One of the most important things to know is the reasons behind the growth of mold. When an environment is a mix of oxygen, water, nutrients, and favorable temperatures, it becomes a perfect place for mold to grow. As far as the nutrients are concerned, mold gets it from dead organic materials such as paper, wood, or even fabrics; it may also find nutrients in synthetic products like adhesives and paints. What it means is that if you have sewage line or any pipe leaking in your bathroom, it may become a suitable place for mold to grow quickly.

Though it is true that not all types of mold are dangerous, it is important to take necessary actions to ensure that it's not flourishing in any part of your house. It is so because you never know when you might be at the mercy of a dangerous type of mold, which can cause certain types of infections due to compromised immune system. With over 1000,000 types of mold, it's never easy for an average Joe to be absolutely sure of what they have growing in their houses.

Considering all this, it becomes important to get in touch with a professional that not only knows about different mold types but have clear ideas about removing it. But before you make a choice, it is crucial to take your time and select the best company offering mold testing services. You can make a good choice considering a few important points. For instance:

1. Make sure you conduct your research and select a few highly experienced companies to start mold remediation process. Since different types of mold can be there in your house, it's important for you to ensure that the specialist knows the best way to remove it without leaving any toxic effect in the air. Therefore, it's crucial to pay attention to the experience a company has in dealing with mold removal process.

2. Make sure you contact a number of companies and ask them to pay a visit to the premises. Once they have had a look at your house, they will tell you how severe the matter is. Not only this, they will also be in a position to tell you about the money you will have to spend to get your house cleaned properly.

The thing is that the presence of mold can be dangerous to your health; therefore, you should take some precautionary measures and ask a professional to help you get rid of this little menace.

Read our last post: How Mold Can Effect Your Brain

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