Illnesses Caused by Black Mold

The black mold which we encounter almost every day in our houses, offices, and other buildings is scientifically known as Stachybotrys, and it also has several other different species, the names, genus, and properties of whom are largely congruent. These molds and their species pose two types of threats for our health. Firstly, they are filamentous fungi and are thus principally microbes.

In such a case, they tend to form harmful spores for asexual reproduction that later on convert into fungi. Such spores inhabit our surroundings and even our body causing us to fall prey to diseases related to fungal infections. Apart from that, some types of Stachybotrys also tend to produce trichothecene, mycotoxins, satratoxins, and several other types of toxins. Some minor infections by the fungus cannot be ruled out, all of which are equally dangerous.

The following is a brief list of some of the common health issues related to black mold. Intensity and time period of exposure usually do not matter owing to the fact that the illnesses can be caused to almost any person who comes into contact with the mold, even for a fraction of a second.

On the whole, one should be careful as the ailments and their spread can be highly unpredictable and also highly contagious. There are over 50 different species of this fungus, several of which cause very different and unpredictable ailments.

Let us start with the least intense ailments. Whenever your body comes into contact with the toxins, spores, secretions, or the actual fungi, it reacts. In such a case, the common symptoms that would be shown by your body include coughing, irritation, nasal restlessness, mild fever, scratchy facial skin, redness of eyes, and even runny eyes and nose. These symptoms display that your body does not welcome alien bodies and elements.

These symptoms are an attempt by the human body to repel and expel the alien bodies. Even after this, if these bodies and substances do enter the body, our body starts generating antibodies. This phenomenon is also often referred to as allergic rhinitis, though it not so in all the cases. Maximum inflation and itchiness are acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

In cases where the exposure has been prolonged and antibodies have been developed, toxins and also spores cause inflammation of lungs on a continual level, thereby damaging the respiratory system. This significantly affects and damages the lung texture and results into severe coughing, sneezing, and breathing problems.

The lung tissues also get substantially damaged, the entire ailment being called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Loss of appetite is a common symptom in such a case.

Exposure to this fungus often causes pathogenic infections such as aspergillus, fumigatus, histoplasma, etc. Apart from that, these pathogens also cause toxic deposition in the body leading to poisoning in the respiratory as well as digestive system. The pathogens can also cause digestive ailments such as, fibrosis and necrosis, diarrhea, vomiting, and in extreme situations, internal bleeding.

The spores or the actual fungi are small and also capable enough of entering the respiratory system. The first part of the human body that these alien bodies affect is the sinus tissue leading to adverse colds and quasi-flues. Following the sinus the lungs get affected.

In an intense situation, when a large amount of spores, toxins, and fungi enter the lungs, it results in intense chest pains, and the breathing gets troubled and hampered. Without medical attention this situation can escalate and clogged balls of mold fibers, white blood cells, and clotted blood get developed resulting into coughing up of blood. Such a situation is grave and if you experience any such symptoms, rush to the doctor immediately.

Please note that highly prolonged and ignored invasion of black mold can cause diseases such as fibromyalgia, tuberculosis, cancer, reproductive and hormonal imbalance, lupus, chronic fatigue disorder, and worst of all sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The root cause in such instances may also go unnoticed. Hence, be ready and undertake a black mold exposure treatment.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.