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Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold, is a greenish black, slimly substance that is commonly found in damp, moist places within the home. Normally displayed as dark black splotchy circles, black mold thrives in a continuously wet, humid environment. Unfortunately, every home will fall victim to some sort of mold within its lifetime; however, this particular type of mold is extremely dangerous and poses many severe health risks. It should be removed from the home as soon as it has been discovered.
Identifying Black Mold Symptoms
As mentioned above, black mold is extremely hazardous to your health. Therefore, knowing and noticing the symptoms of black mold poisoning is important to anyone who has been exposed because early detection is key to receiving proper medical care. Many of the symptoms of black mold are directly related to how a person is exposed. For example, mold spores are spread throughout the house by attaching to personal belongings and by floating through the air as a result of the heating and cooling system in the house. When these mold spores are inhaled or ingested, they can begin to cause many of the symptoms listed below.
Black Mold Exposure Symptoms
Prior to becoming inflicted with black mold poisoning, a person must first be exposed. Exposure simply means being in the vicinity of black mold or inhaling small amounts of mold spores on an intermittent basis. Black mold exposure has its own set of unique symptoms that include:
- Difficulty breathing which can lead to asthma attacks ranging from mild to severe if a person is already at risk for respiratory problems.
- Chronic sinus infections that can lead to headaches, congestion, runny nose, cough. and sinus drainage.
- Excessive coughing and sneezing
- Flu like symptoms
Black Mold Poisoning Symptoms
Luckily, if these symptoms are quickly recognized and diagnosed, the problem can be cured rather effectively. However, if these symptoms are ignored and exposure is prolonged, black mold poisoning is inevitable. The most common symptoms of black mold poisoning include:
- Abdominal pain
- Cough
- Skin rashes, eczema, and hives
- Body aches
- Muscle pains
- Poor appetite
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore Throat
- Burning sensation in the mouth and throat
- A metallic or dirt taste in the mouth
- Chills
- Fever
- Hair loss
- Red, puffy, itchy eyes
- Fatigue
- Lack of concentration and/or memory loss
- Dizziness or the inability to maintain balance
- Urinary tract infections and other problems associated with urination and bowel movements
- Irregular blood pressure
- Women can experience an increase in menstrual bleeding
- Nose bleeds
- Sensitivity to light
- The inability to take a deep breath
Severe Black Mold Symptoms
In addition to the symptoms listed above, there are some other less common, more severe symptoms such as feelings of anxiety or depression; panic attacks; hearing loss; loss of vision; infertility and miscarriage; Fibromyalgia; bleeding from the lungs; cancer; heart attack; developmental delays; jaundice; tremors; rectal bleeding; stomach ulcers; destruction of brain tissue and even death in the most extreme cases.
According to the Mayo Clinic, it is estimated that 37 million Americans suffer from chronic sinus infections as a result of mold. Furthermore, as a result of mold, there has been a 300% increase in the rate of asthma over the past twenty years. There is no denying that black mold exposure and poisoning is a serious problem. However, the only way to completely eliminate this problem from existing is to educate the public.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been feeling terrible for the past few months, i have been rushed to the emergency room on 3 occasions during this summer for heart attack symtoms.
The doctors dismissed it as a “panic attack” everytime, sending me home still feeling on the brink of death.
Giving me no answer whatsoever (however, billing me thousands of dollars in the process…go figure!)
Well just the yesterday i discovered mold spots on th front of my a/c in my bedroom. I opened the a/c up and was shocked! THE ENTIRE a/c UNIT WAS COVERED WITH BLACK MOLD!
Thinking that it may have to do with my symptoms, i did research. I found that these symptoms are similar to black mold symptoms!
Since then i stay out of my bedroom and im hoping to feel a little better. The doctors do not help with anything on this situation. I dont know what to do to treat this problem. I hope i am not too far damaged. (Heart, Lungs, etc.)
Hey Ken,
In this situation it is the best to first ask for a skin or blood test from your doctor to find out if the black mold has affected your health. (This should be a very normal question to ask a doctor!) Normally healthy people can fight off the mold with their normal immune system, so it it essential to determine if your health problems are really the result of black mold exposure.
The second step is to make sure to remove the black mold from your home. Especially when your a/c is covered with black mold, the mold spores will easily spread throughout the room and home.
Let me know how it worked out and what the results are!
I am wondering if my mysterious brain tumor and other issues relating to sinus infections could have been the result from blackmold. I have stayed at my sisters house a numerous amount of times, gotten sick every time, my son too with nosebleeds and cold/flu symptoms,every visit. My sister and her children have been exposed to this for almost 7 years now, and i believe it has made her go literally crazy. Her kids all have UTI, daily vomiting, the youngest has neurological problemsand significantly underweight,like 16 lbs for a 3 year old,the 6 year old is too, and the 12 year old like 60 lbs. Every family member that has been there has gotten sick, and itis getting worse. Can someone help?Please, i ned to find answers soon, as it might be too late for the little ones.
Hi,
We rebuilt, second time had to change all of the blown in insulation and sheetrock, etc. My husband and I and our dog all have had to go to the dermatologist with severe skin conditions. The dog has been going since 2007 for cortisone shots which don’t work anymore. My husband and I were both diagnosed (different docs) different. Me Ezcema and him Seriasis (sp?). I am only using furnace for HW. Thanks for any input.
my home was flooded to the rafters in the basement in 2006 and into the first floor in 2007. Since 2007, the basement has remained wet because we are still getting high water after 16 yrs of nothing