Signs & Symptoms of Sickness Caused by Mold

Mold exposure can affect some mildly and others severely, ranging from mild allergic reactions to severe illness and even death. So to prevent mold from forming, seek obvious warning signs like foul odors, water damage and poorly maintained areas of the home.

Identification

• Mold is a fungus that grows in warm, damp and humid environments, in indoors and outdoors. It reproduces by releasing spores into the air, which can land anywhere and can cause some people to have an allergic reaction if the spores are inhaled.

Signs and Indicators

• Mold gives off a musty or mildew odor. Other indicators include signs of water damage, leaky pluming, cracked or peeling paint, blocked gutters, warped wood and the presence of prolonged wet materials indoors.

Mild Symptoms

• The mildest symptoms of mold exposure are allergic reactions, such as runny nose, itchy eyes, headaches, sneezing and itching.

Serious Symptoms

• Repeated and prolonged exposure to mold may cause nosebleeds, breathing disorders, constant fatigue, coughing up blood/debris, sexual dysfunction, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swollen glands in armpit and neck, skin rashes and even open sores on the skin.

Critical Symptoms

• Long-term exposure to mold can cause brain damage, cancer, blindness and even death.