No matter how clean you keep your home, there’s always the potential for mold growth. What’s worse is that it isn’t always easy to detect when a type of mold is present. But make no mistake, it’s important to remain vigilant about mold prevention—particularly when it comes to black mold, which only takes a day or two to start growing.

What is it and what are some of the long-term effects black mold exposure can have on your health? Keep reading to find out.

What Is Black Mold?

Black mold is an umbrella term for a dangerous species of mold often found in homes.

Typically, homeowners can expect to find black mold in damp, warm areas such as sinks, tubs, faucets, grout, pools, toilets, and vents. Furthermore, black mold thrives in areas where dust and dirt accumulate.

In some areas, such as a tub or sink, homeowners can clearly spot mold growth and clean it accordingly. However, when it comes to smaller areas (such as vents), the threat becomes far more difficult and the presence of black mold is often unknown until it’s too late.

What Are the Long-Term Effects Black Mold May Have on My Health?

Make no mistake, black mold can be quite dangerous. In fact, each year, thousands of people make trips to the emergency room due to the annoying fungi. Here are a few symptoms of exposure to be on the lookout for:

Common Symptoms

Knowing what to look for can be difficult, particularly as a lot of the health effects are commonly associated with other illnesses, particularly allergies and the common cold. Among these symptoms are sneezing, itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing.

As you can see, these are pretty common symptoms of your basic allergies, something 50 million people struggle with. However, if these symptoms remain persistent, it’s time to see a doctor. Especially when paired with more dangerous symptoms like the ones mentioned below.

Respiratory Issues

One of the biggest signs mold may be present is sudden difficulty breathing. These issues are only exacerbated in those who already struggle with asthma.

Pay attention to your breathing. If it becomes shallow, if you notice wheezing, or if you feel a frequent need to cough, you may want to be concerned.

Cognitive Struggles

Astoundingly, black mold exposure has been linked to long-term effects on cognitive health. For instance, feelings of confusion are frequently reported among those often exposed to mold, as is a sense of “brain fog,” which makes it hard to concentrate or follow a basic train of thought.

Black mold exposure has been linked to anxiety disorders, as well.

What Should I Do If I Have Mold Poisoning?

If you or someone you know may be suffering from mold poisoning, seek medical assistance immediately. While certain medicines can roll back some effects of exposure, black mold can cause long-term illness, as well.

Next, schedule a mold inspection and removal for your home.

Finally, if you believe that you may have been exposed to black mold due to negligence or a poor home inspection, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer.

Get Your Health and Home Back

Everyone deserves a safe living space. But when mold invades, your happy home can become a dangerous breeding ground for harmful molds.

If you’re the victim of long-term black mold exposure, get in touch today. Gebhard Law Office in Milwaukee can help you determine if hiring a toxic mold lawyer for your case is justified.

Did you know that a staggering 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies? Or that allergies rank sixth when it comes to chronic illnesses in the country?

The most concerning fact here is that many people can experience allergic reactions to allergens (substances that trigger the allergy) that they don’t even see. For example, mold spores tinier than the eye can see can trigger severe allergic reactions. And that’s not all. Certain types of molds can also cause poisoning.

Of these microorganisms, toxic black mold is one of the most dangerous. But what exactly happens to those exposed to these fungi? What are the symptoms if you’ve inhaled its spores?

Keep reading for some basic but important information about dealing with mold toxicity.

Toxic Black Mold: The Basics

First things first: Black mold (or Stachybotrys chartarum, as they’re known in the scientific world) aren’t toxic on their own. Their spores are what make them dangerous.

These molds release toxic spores (known as mycotoxins) when they feed. What makes that so concerning is that these fungi will keep feeding on anything that nourishes them. That includes moisture-containing organic materials like carpeting, drywall, insulation, cotton, food, and more.

How Your Body Reacts to Inhaled or Ingested Black Mold

If exposed to black mold through ingestion or inhalation, your body can start developing unpleasant symptoms. For those who already have mold allergies, these reactions can be potentially life-threatening.

The most common sign of black mold exposure is non-stop coughing and sneezing. Eye irritation, runny nose, as well as skin inflammation and rashes also indicate possible exposure. If you (or anyone in your household) suffers from persistent headaches and chronic fatigue, mold toxicity may also be the culprit.

Disorientation, dizziness, and confusion can also result from prolonged exposure to this fungi’s toxic spores.

The Potential Life-Threatening Effects of Black Mold Exposure

The longer the exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum and the more spores inhaled or ingested, the worse the health effects. In such cases, nausea, bleeding nose, and vomiting can already accompany the above-mentioned symptoms.

In the worst scenarios, the lungs may become swollen (which is called pulmonary edema). From here, they can start bleeding from the inside (also called a pulmonary hemorrhage).

What to Do When These Symptoms Develop

They may start off as minor, but th symptoms of black mold exposure will only worsen over time. As such, if anyone exhibits any of these symptoms, it is extremely important to contact a doctor right away.

From there, make sure that you have your home inspected and tested for molds. It’s possible that regular molds caused these symptoms, but you still shouldn’t discount the possibility of toxic mold spores.

Stopping Molds from Costing You Your Home and Health

If the tests reveal that molds have taken over your home, make sure you have them removed ASAP. That applies to both toxic black mold and regular molds. Keep in mind that these microorganisms only need about 24 to 48 hours to start spreading. So, the longer you wait, the more time they have to spread throughout your house.

Need more help when it comes to mold effects and what to do about them? Learn more about toxic black mold here and this helpful FAQ from the Milwaukee Health Department.

And, if you think you’ve been adversely affected by mold due to no fault of your own, be sure to contact a qualified toxic mold lawyer for help. A personal injury lawsuit to recoup for losses may be in order.