It can be difficult to predict the ill effects of exposure to mold on every person because there are too many variables involved to make a general prognosis. However, the most common indicators of illness that are often associated with it are allergy symptoms, which can include any of the following:
Sneezing
Nasal and sinus congestion
Cough/sore throat
Chest tightness
Breathing difficulty or dyspnea
Worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms
Nosebleed or epistaxis
Upper respiratory tract infections
Headache
Light sensitivity
Fatigue and weakness
Skin irritation, appearance of red, itchy rashes
Eye irritation, redness, itchiness, watery eyes
Who are most affected by mold?
Mold exposure can be dangerous to just about anyone, but there are some individuals who are more sensitive than others and are more likely to develop more serious symptoms.
It is best for these groups of people to stay away from mold:
Newborn babies and children
Elderly people
Individuals with pre-existing skin condition or skin infection, such as eczema or psoriasis
Individuals with respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma or COPD
Immunocompromised patients or those with a weakened immune system and unable to fight infection, such as those with HIV or AIDs, cancer or chronic inflammatory conditions
How does mold affect your health?
There are countless species of mold that exist both indoors and outdoors and not all of them are capable of causing illness. There are some types of mold that can release poisonous substances called mycotoxins which have toxic effects.
These toxins are fat-soluble and can easily be absorbed in the intestinal lining, airways, and skin and cause disease and death in humans and other animals even in low concentrations.
The health dangers of mold that produce mycotoxins are often more severe, and can even be life-threatening. These include:
Cancer
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis or HP
Pulmonary fibrosis or PF
Lung injury
Pulmonary hemosiderosis or PH
Toxicity in the nervous system
Blood disorders
Immune system disorders
Liver toxicity
Endocrine toxicity
Toxicity in the kidneys
Gastrointestinal and/or cardiac conditions
Is it mold causing health problems or something else?
Mold requires three things to grow:
Moisture - Water and dampness that can come from flooding, leaky pipes and condensation in windows and walls, and other water problems inside the home.
Food source - Materials that molds love to feed and grow on include porous materials like cotton, leather, wood, paper products, fabric, sponges, and cork and some non-porous materials like glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood.
Optimum temperatures - Mold can thrive in conditions that are too sunny, hot, cold, dry or wet for mold to grow.
These three conditions create an ideal damp indoor environment for active mold growth. A lot of things happen within the confines of this damp environment, which may give rise to:
Bacteria
Dust mites
Protein by-products of bacteria and molds
Beta glucans or structural components of cell walls in fungi resulting from the breakdown of mold and bacteria
Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) (which produces the musty odor associated with mold)
Other chemicals and odorless gases produced by mold
Thus, the health problems that are oftentimes attributed to mold may not in fact be caused by mold itself. Some illness may be due to bacteria or other substances and microorganisms that may develop within the moldy environment that is why getting Mold Removal Services in Toronto is very important.
The health dangers of mold are very real to some people. If you or any family members are showing symptoms of what you suspect may be the effects of mold exposure, it is best to seek medical attention immediately to get a correct diagnosis of all your symptoms.
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