Signs and Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Mold Restoration

What You Need to Know About Mold Exposure

Article Quick Link: Signs and Symptoms of Mold Exposure

It started with a cough, just a little one. Then the runny nose started and wouldn’t go away. I thought it was just seasonal allergies. But, when headaches started pounding behind my eyes and constant fatigue set in, I started feeling something else might be wrong.

My house didn’t smell musty, and I didn’t notice any water stains or black spots. Still, the symptoms persisted, and I began to wonder: Could mold be the cause?

If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, you’re not alone. Mold exposure is often overlooked because its symptoms mimic common illnesses and allergies. Knowing the warning signs and understanding the possible health effects is crucial—especially during humid months or spend time in areas prone to moisture and have poor ventilation. 

To better explain mold exposure and its symptoms, we will cover these topics:

In this blog, we will discuss:

Mold Growth, Mold Spores, and Why You Should Care

What Is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus found in both indoor and outdoor environments. It is vital for breaking down organic matter in nature but may also cause serious indoor problems. 

How Mold Grows
Mold spreads by releasing tiny, nearly invisible spores into the air. While these spores are always present, mold grows and thrives in areas with excessive moisture. The spores quickly multiply when they settle on damp surfaces such as walls, windows, or wood. Moisture from sources like leaky pipes, condensation, high humidity or other water damage creates ideal conditions for mold growth.

Why Mold is a Concern
High indoor humidity and the presence of mold in your home or workplace can be a significant risk factor for mold exposure.

Unchecked mold growth can:

  • Reduced Air Quality: Airborne mold spores can circulate through ventilation systems, affecting indoor air quality.
  • Impact Your Health: Mold exposure can trigger allergies, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory health concerns, especially among people with weakened immune systems or other pre-existing health conditions. 
  • Damage Your Home: Mold weakens building materials like drywall, wood, ceilings and insulation, leading to costly repairs.

Mold Exposure in Southwest Ohio

The areas around Dayton to Cincinnati are particularly susceptible to mold due to a combination of factors. The hot summers with heavy rain and humidity create ideal conditions for mold to thrive. The areas also have many older homes and buildings that lack modern insulation and ventilation. They also have basements and crawl spaces, which are prime spots for mold growth.

Mold growing on the wall
Mold infestation can be difficult to detect in its early stages because it is not always visible.

Signs and Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Understanding the Symptoms
While listing the signs and symptoms is easy, understanding mold exposure is more complicated. Symptoms like sneezing or fatigue often act like other conditions. Reactions depend on the individual and the type of mold.

This section breaks down the effects of mold exposure into three categories—mold allergies and asthma, environmental irritants, and mold toxicity—to help you understand how mold can impact your health in different ways.

Mold Allergies and Asthma

These mold symptoms occur when the immune system overreacts to mold spores and treats them like they are harmful allergens. Mold allergies can trigger immediate reactions. These reactions are known and well-documented. Common symptoms include:

  • Respiratory Symptoms: Coughing and wheezing, nasal congestion, sneezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. These may worsen in people with asthma, leading to increased frequency or severity of asthma symptoms.
  • Allergy-like Reactions: Runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, and throat irritation. Mold allergy symptoms may mimic seasonal allergies but persist over time.
  • Skin Reactions: Rashes, itching, hives, or dry, flaky skin in sensitive individuals.
  • Eye Irritation: Redness, watering, itching, or blurry vision.

Environmental Triggers

These symptoms happen when mold spores directly irritate the body without causing an allergic or toxic reaction. For example, spending time in a musty basement with bad ventilation might leave you with itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, or a headache. These symptoms can affect anyone and often improve once the moldy environment is cleaned or avoided.

  • Eye irritation: Redness, watering, or itching.
  • Sore throat: Scratchiness or discomfort from airborne spores.
  • Headaches: Often due to sinus pressure or poor ventilation.
  • Sinus issues: Postnasal drip, sinus pressure, or recurring infections.

Mold Toxicity

In contrast to immune reactions and direct irritants, mold toxicity (or mold sensitivity) is less understood and controversial in the medical community. Symptoms are thought to result from prolonged exposure to mycotoxins produced by certain molds, not an immune response.

While many call for more research, some studies suggest that being around high levels of mycotoxins for a long time can affect the whole body. Some reported symptoms include:

  • Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest.
  • Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or a general feeling of mental cloudiness.
  • Headaches: Frequent or chronic headaches, potentially linked to neurological effects or sinus irritation.
  • Muscle and Joint Pain: Unexplained aches or stiffness, particularly with long-term exposure.
  • Dizziness or Vertigo: A sensation of imbalance or spinning.
  • Mood Changes: Increased anxiety, depression, or irritability.
  • Sinus Symptoms: Infections that keep returning, postnasal drip, or sinus pressure.
  • Tingling or Numbness: Occasional reports of tingling sensations in the hands or feet.

These symptoms may overlap with other conditions, so it’s important to address the source of the exposure and consult a healthcare professional for guidance.

What About Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure?

Stachybotrys chartarum is a type of mold that is black in color and often found in damp buildings. Often referred to as “toxic black mold,” S. chartarum is known for its potential to produce mycotoxins. However, the role of black mold in causing severe diseases needs further controlled studies.

It is important to understand the color of the mold does not indicate its toxicity. Most mold is black in color but can be many other colors as well, including white, green and orange. 

Like other molds, black mold exposure may cause immune reactions. The very young and people with allergies, asthma, chronic lung disease or a compromised immune system are at higher risk for severe symptoms. It’s important to remember that any type of mold can potentially affect your health.

Why Does Black Mold Have Such a Bad Rap?

In the 1990s, this mold became notorious. Health officials linked it to severe lung infections in infants in Cleveland, Ohio. However, later studies found no direct connection. They suggested other factors might have contributed.

How Can You Tell If Mold Is Making You Sick?

Symptoms Alone Aren’t Enough
Even if you experience symptoms like allergies, asthma flare-ups, or fatigue, it can be difficult to know if mold is to blame. These health issues often overlap with colds, seasonal allergies, or other environmental triggers.

Look beyond symptoms and watch for signs of mold, like musty odors or visible growth. It can also be helpful to track when and where symptoms occur. Mold-related health effects often resemble allergic reactions.

Monitoring Your Environment and Health
One thing you can do is keep a symptom journal. Note when and where your symptoms occur—do they get worse at home but improve when you’re away?

Also, check areas in your home or workplace, especially if you see or think you smell mold. Note any areas that trigger heightened symptoms. 

The Role of Medical Testing
Checking your symptoms against changes in your environment can reveal patterns. Medical testing can provide valuable insights into mold-related health issues, but it’s important to understand what these tests can—and can’t—reveal.

Common allergy testing methods include a skin prick test or an IgE blood test (a RAST test), which can check for mold allergies by identifying your body’s immune response.

Newer mycotoxin tests aim to detect mold toxins in your system. They are still being studied for accuracy and reliability. While this type of medical “mold testing” can help identify mold allergies or sensitivity, they’re not always definitive. Results can vary, and tests alone may not pinpoint the source of the problem.

Sick woman on couch suffering from symptoms of mold exposure

What to Do If You Suspect Mold Exposure

If you’ve been exposed to mold at home or work, the first step is to remove yourself from the mold-exposed areas.

For severe symptoms, such as breathing problems or eye irritation, seek immediate medical attention.

Manage Mild Symptoms
For symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, or itchy eyes:

  • Consider over-the-counter remedies designed to deal with specific symptoms.
  • Clean damp, non-porous surfaces with soap and water and dry thoroughly.
  • Improve ventilation with a fan or air conditioner.
  • Use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity inside below 50%.
  • Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier to filter spores indoors and maintain a healthier environment.
  • Repair any maintenance issue related to leaks and eliminate clutter.
  • Call a professional mold remediation specialist for an assessment.

Seek Medical Care for Severe Symptoms
Your doctor may recommend:

  • Allergy Treatments: Antihistamines, nasal sprays, or immunotherapy (allergy shots).
  • Other Therapies: Asthma inhalers or antifungal medications for severe reactions.

Address Mold at Its Source
Medical treatments offer temporary relief, but if mold remains in your environment, they won’t resolve your symptoms. You must first eliminate the source of moisture and then clean the affected area.

If you suspect mold in your home, safety comes first. When near the affected area, wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Rubber gloves, goggles, and an N-95 mask are essential. Rubber boots are also recommended for added protection in flooded areas.

For the best results, call a professional mold cleanup company like PuroClean. With advanced tools and expertise, pros can find and remove mold.

Prevent Mold Growth in the Future
Controlling moisture is the key to preventing household mold. Even the most common indoor molds can cause health issues if left unchecked.

Keep your home dry. Fix leaks quickly, use dehumidifiers, and keep air flowing in areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Regularly clean and inspect high-risk areas, such as basements and around windows, to catch mold early.

Monitor Your Health
Track your symptoms and consult your doctor if they worsen or new ones arise.

People have reported experiencing these symptoms after water damage occurred in homes where the damage was not quickly or properly restored, resulting in a mold infestation. Homes built on or near certain types of soil may be at risk of indoor mold growth. 

The most common indoor areas where fungus grows are places with high moisture levels, such as bathrooms and kitchens, poorly ventilated rooms, areas of indoor water damage or leaks, basements with high humidity, or damp crawl spaces. 

Safe and Effective Mold Removal

Mold exposure can profoundly impact your health and your home. Early recognition and addressing root causes are vital for well-being and preventing damage and hazardous health effects. 

For safe and effective mold removal, trust the professionals at PuroClean Emergency Services. Our experienced team is available around the clock to help you remove mold and restore a healthy indoor environment.

For your mold removal needs, call PuroClean Emergency Services.

Act now to ensure your home is mold-free and safe for everyone inside. Let us handle the mold cleanup so you can focus on what matters most—your health and peace of mind.

An expert checking the mold on the wall
Call PuroClean Emergency Services and take action to eradicate mold growth safely.

Sources:

More like this