Black Mold

Black mold allergens trigger annoying and aggravating symptoms in millions of people, reducing their quality of life and in dangering their health. They are a major cause of seasonal and chronic allergic rhinitis and can result in other health problems as well. In fact, black mold may be a major contributor to seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, as well as other health problems.

Thousands of types of mold exist but there are only a few dozen that cause allergy symptoms. The spores from these molds become airborne and move through the air, entering the respiratory tract and causing an allergic reaction. Because the spores of mold are so small, they can not be seen and many air filtration systems do not effectively remove them. Keeping the mold from growing in the household will help greatly in preventing systems.

The symptoms of mold exposure can be a stuffy nose, watery, burning eyes, wheezing, cold and flu-like symptoms, rashes, fever, fatigue, lung infections, asthma attacks, shortness of breath and inability to focus and concentrate. Some molds can cause serious health threats when combined with other air pollutants. For example, Stachybotrys has caused fatal bleeding in babies when they were also exposed to smoke from tobacco.

The most common symptoms associated with exposure to certain molds include the following: nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, aggravation of asthma, cold/flu like symptoms, rashes, fever, shortness of breath, and inability to concentrate, fatigue, and sometimes lung infections.

Black mold allergens can be found in damp and humid areas such as basements, bathrooms, closets, pantries, refrigerators and drip pans, house plants, air conditioning ductwork, humidifiers, garbage cans, mattresses, old foam rubber pillows and upholstered furniture. Paper and cardboard that has been wet can be another source such as ceiling tiles, wood and wood products, insulation materials, carpet and fabric.

Clean areas where mold can grow with a solution of chlorine bleach and water. Launder bedding frequently. Vacuum and steam clean carpet frequently. Remove heavy drapes for cleaning and consider replacing them with blinds or window shades. Have the ductwork in your home cleaned. Clean out closets and pantries of clutter and keep these areas clean and dust-free. Remove piles of leaves where mold can grow from outside the home. Remove unnecessary paper and pasteboard products that have become dusty or damp that could contain mold.

These measures will help you prevent mold to prevent allergy attacks. Only by preventing exposure to these allergens can you expect to enjoy an attack-free life, or at least enjoy fewer allergy symptoms.