Symptom of Toxic Mold
From LoveToKnow Safety
Molds are in the news frequently in stories covering allergies and significant health problems, which makes knowing if something is a symptom of toxic mold very important. While many people know that molds are dangerous, most are not certain why. They also are unsure whether all molds are toxic or only certain types.
Molds are a form of fungus. When a colony of mold lives in an area, the molds release gas and liquid matter as waste, and the waste, called mycotoxins, is what is dangerous about molds. All molds are not dangerous, though, and knowing what identifies toxic mold is vital to keep your home protected, which is especially important during times like remodeling when you could stir up any airborne substances. A home Materials Safety Sheet can be helpful in this instance.
Identifying a Symptom of Toxic Mold
Keep an eye out for signs that you may be facing a mold problem.
Early Signs
People living in a house or working in an office with a mold problem will experience a range of symptoms. The first of these symptoms will be constant fatigue. People may feel tired for no explainable reason, such as the sensation of having a general lack of sleep. It also may cause a dull headache. Other early signs include flu-like symptoms and skin rashes. The problem with these symptoms is that they mimic other problems so that people often do not seek treatment until they are very ill. Should you get these symptoms and not be able to relieve them in a reasonable amount of time, particularly if others in your household are ill as well, then seeing a healthcare professional is the best course of action.
Prolonged Signs
Continued exposure to molds can cause major long-term effects. Some people will develop chronic sinus problems, which will interfere with the body’s functioning. Systemic fungal infections also are a major hazard with long-term exposure. These fungal infections are tough to treat and can be fatal if they go undiagnosed. At the very least, they call for massive rounds of antibiotics and likely hospitalization. Any of these symptoms can indicate other problems, though, which is why it is important to seek treatment for them early on. The weakened immune system as a result of continued exposure to molds will cause you to be more likely to pick up other illness in your environment.
Dealing with the Problem After Finding a Symptom of Toxic Mold
Molds create a problem because they cause the body to react against them. Contrary to popular belief, just being in the vicinity of a mold does not mean that one will get terribly ill. In fact, molds thrive in buildings because most dwellings hold in moisture somewhere. They may have moisture problems in their basements, or molds may form where there is condensation from air conditioning units or small leaks in plumbing. Identify the areas in your home where water can be a problem. Kitchens and bathrooms in general are major sources of mold, but locate other possible hiding spots for these dangerous colonies in order to alleviate the problem.
A mold becomes a problem when it begins to cause health problems. These problems arise at different points for different people, based on their personal tolerance level. The general rule is those who are smaller or more susceptible, such as small children and the elderly, will become sick earlier. Since all molds do not have a smell, it may be difficult to know that a mold is in the home. One of the ways to tell is to use a mold testing kit. Health practitioners treating unexplainable symptoms may be inclined to recommend this testing or mold elimination procedures.
Elimination of Toxic Molds
Mold elimination procedures range from simply using bleach and warm water to wipe down affected areas to stripping out drywall and making major repairs to one’s home to get rid of the dangers. Regardless of the method used to clean, you should wear protective clothing before cleaning an area of mold. Therefore, in advance of undergoing any significant mold elimination procedures, you should purchase protective clothing.
The only surefire way to know that the mold is gone after the cleanup is to have mold inspection testing done again. Professional services perform the tests, and will even take on the elimination project if it involves major work, but at-home kits are available as well. Once mold has entered a building, though, it very well may return. Keeping watch for the symptoms recurring is important to nip any future problems in the bud.
