All About Mold

There are thousands of different types of mold and they exist naturally in every part of the world. Most of them are relatively harmless at normal levels and may cause an allergic reaction in higher concentrations. Some, as you know, are positively harnessed to make medicine and a variety of foods.

There are a few, however that can cause internal bleeding, pneumonia-like illnesses and brain damage. These types of mold are classified as toxigenic and attack at a minimum, the immune system. More serious toxigenic molds also attack the central nervous system and/or cardiopulmonary systems.

The difficulty in determining adverse health affects related to mold exposure is that every person reacts differently to the species involved, the bi-products that each mold gives off, the amount and duration of exposure, and the susceptibility of the individual. It is best to consider all molds in the home as potentially dangerous and deal with the problem.

Signs of Mold

• The most tell tail sign is the musty smell commonly associated with molds.
• Mold can appear brown, green, black, tallow or gray. Any mold can cause illness.
• Mold will be growing primarily on organic materials, like sheetrock, paint, wood, paper, wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, insulation, etc.

A moldy or musty odor present without any visible mold still means there is a problem.

Health Symptoms

Mold can be present without any odor also. Mold trapped inside a wall cavity will still give off volatile toxins that are breathed in or absorbed through the skin unknowingly. These toxins are what make you sick. If you have some of these symptoms you may have a mold problem.

• Chronic cough, sore throat, itchy eyes
• Headache, blurred vision, hearing loss
• Hair loss
• Flu symptoms, diarrhea, hot and cold spells
• Fatigue, general malaise, psychological depression
• Dermatitis, crawling skin
• Decreased attention, disorientation, poor reflexes, dizziness
• Memory loss

There are all signs that you may have a mold problem. Obviously, these symptoms could be related to any number of illnesses, but you need to focus on this: Do you have these symptoms all the time or just when you are in the home? If you feel worse at home than you do when you are out, chances are that it is something the home that is making you feel that way: mold.