Signs & Symptoms of Living With Mold

People are exposed to more than 200 different kinds of mold every day. However, there is growing medical evidence that living with long-term exposure to mold can cause health issues for many people. The list of conditions range from mild allergies to possible links to certain types of cancer. It is easy to learn to recognize the many visible and invisible signs and symptoms of living with mold in your environment.

Allergy Symptoms

• Mild mold allergies present symptoms similar to seasonal allergies.

  Molds on surfaces of the home can produce allergens. Individuals with an allergic sensitivity to mold will experience the typical symptoms of environmental allergies when exposed to molds, including respiratory congestion, itchy and watery eyes, skin rashes and sneezing. In severe cases, a mold allergy sufferer will experience respiratory distress resembling asthma symptoms. If you find that these symptoms worsen while in a home or specific room in a building, this may be a sign that mold is present in that area.

Mold as an Irritant

• In some individuals, molds do not trigger allergic sensitivity, but do cause other types of health symptoms. A person living with mold may develop a rash or skin irritation, which can range from mild to moderately severe, as a nonallergic reaction to the mold exposure. Unseen mold in the environment can trigger symptoms such as headaches, irritated eyes, a sore throat and chronic fatigue, which usually improve when the person leaves the area.

Environmental Signs

• Without immediate health symptoms, you can still look for signs that your home may have a mold overgrowth problem. It is important to identify and remedy these problems before they cause health concerns. Studies have linked long-term exposure to mold to many health and respiratory illnesses, particularly in children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Some tangible signs and symptoms of environmental mold include a musty, stuffy smell inside the building, a stale dampness to fabric upholstery and clothing, and wood fixtures that feel perpetually damp to the touch. Residents can also often see mold growing on the walls, fixtures, floors and crevices, most often spotted as black or dark green spots on walls and baseboards, or white crystalline formations on the ceilings. These signs are particularly telling if found near sources of water, such as a shower or water heater.