Black Mold Illness Symptoms
Black mold is a toxic form of mold that is identified by its greenish-black appearance. Black mold can be found on wet objects such as ceilings, floors, insulation, wood, paneling and drywall. It thrives in areas with high moisture or humidity from water damage, leaks, condensation or flooding. Black mold can lead to what is known as black mold illness. This illness can cause health problems ranging from mild to severe, depending on length of exposure.
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Types
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Symptoms of black mold illness are broken down into stages. Stage one, or short-term exposure, is associated with symptoms such as red, irritated or itchy skin, sneezing, headaches and itchy, watery eyes. Stage two, or on-and-off prolonged exposure, has symptoms that include nose bleeds, excessive and constant fatigue, short-term memory loss, rashes and sores, chronic sinus infection and bronchitis, ear infections and pain in the joints and muscles. Stage three produces more serious symptoms such as long-term memory loss, blindness, brain damage, cancer, bleeding lungs and even death.
Considerations
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Mold is an environmental issue, according to BioSign Laboratories Corp., which means doctors will often misdiagnose symptoms as being those of something other than black mold illness. Fibromyalgia, chronic lung or sinus infections, emphysema, asthma and fatigue are often considered as the cause of such symptoms because the symptoms of those ailments are similar to black mold illness.
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Risks
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Symptoms of black mold can be a higher risk to those with immune deficiencies and chronic lung disease. If left untreated, the symptoms associated with black mold can progressively get worse, eventually leading to new illnesses and symptoms, such as a fungal growth in the lungs, that can affect the heart, bones, lungs, skin, eyes, muscles, sinuses or central nervous system.
Time Frame
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Symptoms of black mold illness come about when a person breathes in mold spores that have become airborne. Even if a person gets rid of the physical mold in her home, microscopic mold spores might still be present in the air. Symptoms will continue if mold is still in the air and as long as moisture in the area is not controlled. An air filtration system can help remove spores from a home. The duration of symptoms from black mold illness ranges anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on length of mold exposure.
Treatment
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Black mold illness symptoms can be treated by avoiding mold spores and smoke. A doctor may place a person on a nebulizer (albuterol inhaler) to treat symptoms that may affect his lungs. Steroids can also be used to treat many of the symptoms of black mold illness. If a person displays symptoms of black mold illness, he should speak with his doctor about testing and treatment.
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