Black mold is a little bit more than an ordinary household nuisance. In addition to being a serious threat to the structural integrity of a house, black mold also poses a severe health danger to the people living in the residence. The risk of black mold poisoning is sufficient to be considered life threatening in certain cases.
Black mold generates poisons called trichothecene mycotoxins. A feature of the toxicity of trichothecenes is their ability to inhibit protein synthesis. Another aspect is that these mycotoxins can penetrate the skin and, consequently, touching black mold with bare hands can result in skin irritation. A sub-class, macrocyclic trichothecenes, is produced by black mold and can become airborne and pollute the house atmosphere with mold spores. These can enter a person’s body through the simple act of breathing. That is the reason why wearing a mask when removing black mold is so important.
There are a large number of symptoms that denote black mold poisoning with some being more dramatic than others. Immediate symptoms of black mold poisoning are respiratory problems, especially with those who suffer from asthma. These include shortness of breath, congestion, and increased production of mucous. As mentioned above, skin irritation, including rashes, are evidence of direct contact with stachybotrys chartarum. Nausea is also a common symptom and vomiting after exposure to black mold can happen. Other symptoms associated with black mold poisoning herald far greater health complications. Muscle pain and fatigue are early warning signs that significant levels of mycotoxins have entered the body and the immune system is actively fighting the intruders. The most severe symptom is internal bleeding from the lungs, indicating the immune system losing its ability to fight the infection. All of the symptoms, regardless of their extremity, emphasize the danger to the body inherent in black mold. As such, an individual needs to be careful around this fungus.
The effects of black mold poisoning depend a great deal on the person who is exposed. Individuals with mold allergies are highly susceptible and those with asthma are at sizable risk to the fungus. Combating the mycotoxins can strain the body’s immune system and those with weakened immunity due to AIDS or chemotherapy are in harm’s way if exposed to black mold. The very young and the elderly, both with underdeveloped or weakened respiratory systems, are prone to black mold health risks that in certain situations can be fatal. Diseases associated with exposure to black mold include hypersensitivity pneumonitis, perennial allergic rhinitis, and pulmonary aspergillosis. The latter is a degenerative condition caused by inhaling the allergenic spore which go on to colonize the lungs and pulmonary aspergillosis can be deadly if left untreated.
Black mold has to be taken quite seriously. Though some people may experience nothing greater than what would be considered a mild allergic reaction, others could be facing a life threatening situation. Extensive infestation of a dwelling means the very air breathed in may be full of mold spores and may cause acute internal injury. The extent of black mold’s presence in the house can require the residents to vacate the premises and live elsewhere until the fungus has been removed by professional mold removers. A physician should be contacted immediately after the first symptoms become evident to better determine if the person has black mold poisoning, and what treatment options are best.