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Signs & Symptoms of Long-Term Mold Exposure

Old houses, apartments and commercial buildings that have sustained water damage and have not been properly maintained often contain dangerous airborne molds that can affect people in subtle and profound ways, causing a variety of illnesses.

  1. Respiratory Issues

    • Common symptoms of mold exposure include coughing, sneezing, a runny nose and difficulty breathing, sometimes resulting from a noticeable lung infection. It has even been linked to the development of asthma.

    Sinusitis

    • A study by the Mayo Clinic in 1999--"The Diagnosis and Incidence of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis"--suggested that almost all of the then-37 million cases of chronic sinus infection across America could be traced to adverse mold exposure.

    Skin Rash

    • This is a frequent reaction to exposure to Aspergillus spp, one of the most common types of mold fungus. The rash may continue for months, years, or as long as the exposure continues.

    Eye Problems

    • Mold can irritate the eyes a great deal, causing them to become red, burn, itch and even be overly sensitive to light.

    Immunodeficiency

    • Exposure to the toxic effects of mold can so tax your immune system that it may lower your body's ability to fight off other illnesses that it ordinarily would be able to handle.

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