THE IMPACT OF BLACK MOLD ON ADULTS, CHILDREN,AND PETS

Black mold can lead to various health issues. Join us to discover the impact of black mold on the well-being of adults, children, and pets, as well as the necessary actions to take.

WHAT IS BLACK MOLD? WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum is usually accompanied by a distinctive odor and is black, greenish-black in color. 

From the arctic to the  and al the places between, mold lives literally everywhere. Molds are fungi, and grow form microscopic  spores that are everywhere in the air. Molds are important for recycling organic matter ( such as leaves). The recycling process they perform returns nutrients to the soil, and is important for plants to grow. In order to grow, molds need four things to grow: oxygen, moisture, a food source, and the right temperer range ( ideal is between 77-86 F). 

FOOD SOURCES 

Molds can grow inside of their food sources.  They penetrate deeply into drywall, carpets, floors, cabinets, underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks, etc. Anything with carbohydrates in it could be considered a food source for molds. 

MOISTURE 

We think we all agree that oxygen and temperature are factors we can’t control when it comes to mold. So let’s talk about what we can control -moisture. 

Moisture is one thing you can reasonably control when it co met to mold. A dry home equals a home with much less mold growth. Keeping ares dry , especially ares that use water ( like bathrooms) is important to prevent mold growth. 

HOW FAST DO MOLD GROW?

Moisture behind baseboards and cabinets, wet carpet  tack strips, in crawl spaces and attics, basements , and other hard to reach areas area a ticking time mold bomb. Once enough moisture is present, mold can begin to grow in less than 48 hours! Even with fans going and mopping up the water, it may not be enough to prevent mold growth. 

WHAT DOES BLACK MOLD LOOK LIKE?

In one word …. Yes.

Mold is more often associated with allergies and asthma, but mold ice much more menacing than people know. While all mold have the potential to cause irritation and allergy symptoms, mold can also cause much more dangerous health problems including : fungal poisoning from mycotoxins to mental health issues. 

Mold hides in places no one ever thinks to look like under cabinet, in crawl spaces, attics an behind furniture. People may spend weeks, months and even years fighting illness, and never know what they area really fighting …mold. 

Many of your customers finds after a recommendation from their doctor, that they may in fact have a mold problem, and not just an illness. 

BLACH MOLD- SOMETHING OF A MISNOMER 

Before we go even further, let’s clear up the confusion about ‘black mold’. Can you read about ‘toxin black mold’ it is kind of misleading.

The thing is… dangerous and toxic how old is not just black it can be different colors. Toxin mold can appear to be green, yellow, brown and black. All mold have the potential to cause, irritation, and allergy symptoms. However, some malls can also cause much more dangerous health problems. S’mores but not all produce mycotoxins. No, all molds are toxic but many are. Mycotoxins can cause health problems ranging from poisoning to cancer. Mycotoxins literally ‘fungus poison’ in Latin, or secondary metabolites that can be produced by molds and or not living organisms. Mycotoxins are a byproduct of mold. Not all mold spores produce mycotoxins are the ones that could be categorized as toxic or poisonous. 

 So ,where is the line between an allergic mold and toxic mold? That line is defined by the presence of mycotoxins, and is NOT defined by color. Mycotoxins are invisible and cannot be detected just by looking at the mold growth .

WHAT DO MYCOTOXINS DO ?THESE CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES CAN CAUSE MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS RANGING FROM MILD TO SEVERE. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT ALLERGIC TO MOLD, YOU CAN BE AFFECTED BY MYCOTOXINS. 

Mycotoxins can absorbed by the body in a number of ways including :through the skin, the airways( inhalation), and through the intestinal lining ( ingestion). Detrimental health effects caused by mycotoxins can range from  ‘acute  poisoning to long -term effects such as immune deficiency. Chronic disease suffers , such as people with immunosuppressive disorders or underlaying lung disease may be more sensitive to molds and mycotoxins in their environment. 

One of the main ways people and pets become poisoned by mycotoxins is through eating contaminated foods. Foods such apple, cereal grains, coffee beans, nuts, spices, dog and cat food, and more can become contaminated with fungi that produce mycotoxins.

To learn more about mycotoxins in foods check out the https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins#:~:text=Key%20facts,under%20warm%20and%20humid%20conditions.

Did you know that toxic mold can affect your pets as well ? 

HEALTH EFECTS OF MOLD EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS HEADACHE, HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLD 

Even for people in good health, exposure to large amounts of mycotoxins and molds can overwhelm the immune system and cause symptoms of poisoning. Mycotoxins can be especially dangerous for people with compromised immune system. Symptoms that are associated with allergic reactions area highlighted in italics. 

• Some of the symptoms associated with mold and mycotoxins can include:
• Chronic burning in the throat and nasal passages
• Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath 
• Eye irritation -red eyes, blurred vision 
• Headache 
• Skin rashes 
• Fatigue
• Loss of balance 
• Dizziness and Disorientation 
• Reduced color distinction 
• Depression and/or anxiety 
• Light sensitivity 
• Vertigo
• Felling lightheaded 
• Morning stiffness , joint pain and /or muscle pain 
• Muscle weakness 
• Slower reaction time 
• Poor memory, difficult word finding 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Unusual skin sensations, tingling and numbness 
• Appetite and mood swings
• Body Temperature and regulation problems
• Increased urinary frequency, increase sweating( especially at night) , or increased thrust
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating 
• Metalic taste in mouth 

As you can see , the list is quite long ! It is also not a list of symptoms that would immediately point a doctor to specific illness. Some symptoms (like the symptoms associated with allergies) manifest immediately , but others such poor memory , and difficulty word finding may take months or even years to develop.

Please remember that this blog is NOT intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

Always talk to your doctor about symptoms of any medical condition you’re experiencing. It is unlikely to experience all symptoms listed , but many of these symptoms can be cause for concern. An open dialog with your doctor is important for any medical condition. Ask questions to se sure your understand your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process. 

In long term mold ,can cause dangerous health problems for adults, children , and pets,.

If you or your family are suspecting or suffering from mold exposure in your home or business , get in touch with us. Here at Mold Fix , we know how your and your families health is your priority, and we see each mold remediation as an in-depth investigation. 

Symptoms of Mold Exposure in Adults 

Adults that have been exposed to mycotoxins can exhibit symptoms such as disordered brain function, changes in balance, slower blink reflexes , slower reaction times, color discrimination problems and depressions. For adults exposed to mold and mycotoxins  scientists have discovered that brain function of adults exposed to mold is abnormal or significantly decreased compared to those who have not been exposed to mold. Remember that even if you are NOT allergic to mold you can be affected by mold to mycotoxins. 

Symptoms of Mold Exposure in Children

There are many cases in which a Child’s symptoms reflect those of a harsh health condition. However, the culprit ends up being mold toxicity. 

Children can have a significant impact on mold exposure that mimics other illnesses. A cough , a sneeze , even ADD, can be misdiagnosis , and the mold exposure continues to cause harm to the child. 

Respiratory And Allergy Symptoms 

Many studies have found respiratory distress correlated to mold exposure in kids. When a child inhales mold spores, it irritates the lining of the lungs and causes a reaction. This reactions typically mimic those seen in seasonal allergies: 

• Shortness Of Breath 
• Coughing 
• Sneezing 
• Wheezing 
• Sore throat 
• Itchy /Runny Nose 

A child with respiratory illness, such Asthma , mold will exacerbate the condition. Flare -ups of these conditions are also common. 

The  greatest risk comes with the toxic black mold, Stachybotrys Chartarum. While many species of molds carry great danger, the infamous toxic black mold is the most severe. Particularly in children immune- suppressed systems, toxic black mold can become deadly. Toxic black mold can cause hemorrhagic pneumonia. This pneumonia causes bleeding of the lung tissue. It is always the best to have a professional inspection and removal if you believe mold is present. 

Symptoms of Mold Exposure in Pets 

While we are likely familiar with the effects and potential health implications of mold exposure to humans, we don’t often talk about hoe it affects the pets in our lives. Indoor- only poets spend their whole lives in the same environment , compounding and magnifying issues caused by m old growth. 

Your pet can be exposed to mold in several ways. Like humans, pets can breathe in mold spores, which will affect the respiratory system. Mold can also affect pets through their coat or skin, which may trap spores and make it difficult for your pet to get rid of them. Animals may also accidentally ingest mold spores, which can cause difficulties for their gastrointestinal tract.

 MOLD EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS IN PETS 

• Some of the common signs and symptoms of mold expires in pets include : 
• Lethargy 
• Vomiting 
• Wheezing or rapid breathing
• Sneezing 
• Nasal dischage 
• Excessive licking or scratching 
• Loss of appetite 
• Skin sores

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE FROM MOLD -INDUCED ILLNESSES 

If you are affected by indoor mold growth , so is your pet – and it can be much harder to learn when they’re felling unwell since you can’t exactly ask them! If you suspect  that there’s mold growth in your. Home , the fist step is to book professional mold testing. 

Some quick tips for keeping your pet safe from mold are: 

Throw away any toys or bedding affected by mold growth-mold is tough to remove yourself.

Keep pet food sealed in an air-tight container. 

Keep pets ways from any visible mold growth. Beside getting sick, they may inadvertently make the problem worse b y spreading spores on their paws or coats. 

 Book an appointee with your vet if you find or suspect mold is affecting your pet. 

MOLD FIX HELPS PEOPLE AND PETS 

Removing indoor mold growth results in a healthier , safer homer all members of your family. At Mold Fix , we’ve been doing mold removal in Orange County and Inland Empire for over a decade and can help you identify any changes to your indoor environment caused by mold growth. To lean about how mold affects pets and how to remediate your home for mold, call our technicians at 949-449-5949 or send us a email.