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Symptoms of Dangerous Mold

Just about every household has a species of mold festering in their homes, whether it is in the basement or near a water source. Although thousands of species of mold do not pose a threat to health, a few species can be dangerous. Some dangerous molds, such as greenish, black mold or Stachybotrys chartarum, do not pose an immediate health risk until they become airborne. Then they release mycotoxins that can cause adverse side effects in healthy people as well as people with ongoing health problems.

  1. Skin Irritation

    • Even people with healthy immune systems are not completely safe from the side effects or symptoms of airborne mold. Some common symptoms associated with mold exposure are diseases of the skin, such as athlete's foot and yeast infections. Skin irritation and rashes are other well-known symptoms of mold exposure.

    Allergies

    • Molds can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic to molds. Other responses common in people with allergies to molds are hay fever, tightness in the chest, sneezing, irritated eyes, runny nose as well as dermatitis. The magnitude of these symptoms is different for each person, but if they are severe, seeing a doctor is highly recommended.

    Breathing Problems

    • Nasal stuffiness and wheezing are also common symptoms that affect the respiratory system and cause breathing problems. Repeated exposure to mold heightens a person's sensitivity to mold and increases the likelihood of persistent symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control, severe reactions to mold are more likely to affect people who work in agriculture if they are exposed to large amounts of hay that is infested with mold. Shortness of breath and fever are considered serious symptoms of mold exposure, and the person experiencing these symptoms needs to be seen by a doctor.

    Respiratory Infections

    • People who already suffer with a weak immune system are susceptible to developing a negative reaction to mycotoxins. People with chronic lung diseases such as COPD or asthma are likely to develop breathing problems. They are also likely to develop infections of the lungs when they breathe in the spores of the mold. These spores attach themselves to the lungs and begin to incubate. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, people with weakened immune systems are also susceptible to infections of the eyes, skin and other organs of the body; these opportunistic infections do not affect healthy people.

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