Health Effects of Long-Term Mold Exposure

Mold is a common allergen. People inhale mold spores from dead leaves or from mold which has grown in damp areas of the home. Common symptoms of mold allergies include itchy eyes, sinusitis, sneezing, coughing and post-nasal drip. If left untreated, long-term mold exposure can cause many health complications.

Asthma

• If you suffer from mold allergies, continuously breathing in mold spores can lead to asthma or cause flare-ups of existing asthma.

Fungal Sinusitis

• Mold spores can collect in your sinuses and create a fungal ball. The fungal ball is an infection that causes drainage of yellow or green discharge, coughing, loss of taste or facial pain. Surgery is required to remove the fungal ball.

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a fungal infection of the lungs. If you suffer from asthma or cystic fibrosis, you are at a high risk of developing the condition.

Other Symptoms

• Continuous mold exposure can cause fatigue, nausea, dizziness and headaches.

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

• This condition is caused by mold spores entering the lungs. It causes lung inflammation. Continuous exposure leads to chronic lung disease. Symptoms include malaise, chills, fever or shortness of breath.