Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Toxic Is It?SymptomsWhat It Looks LikeTreatmentRemoval MethodsFavorable House ConditionsWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Toxic Is It?
Symptoms
What It Looks Like
Treatment
Removal Methods
Favorable House Conditions
When to Seek Medical Care
You may be exposed toblack mold(Stachybotrys chartarum) at home or work. The risk may be higher when renting because you generally have less awareness and control over pipe and roof leaks (common sources for black mold growth).
Some people are more sensitive to black mold than others, making their symptoms more severe. While mild symptoms may include typicalallergy symptoms, like sneezing and congestion, more severe reactions includewheezingand shortness of breath.
This article explains black mold toxicity, symptoms of exposure and treatment, removing black mold, and more.
Olga Dobrovolska / Getty Images
How Toxic Is Black Mold?
Many people wonder if black mold is deadly. The good news is that it rarely is. However, black mold can trigger allergies,asthma, and hypersensitivity in some people.
Typically, whether you experience symptoms from black mold depends on several factors, like the amount of black mold and how long you’ve been exposed.
Allergens: Types, Function, Risks
Amount of Black Mold
It’s difficult to quantify how much mold will cause symptoms. That’s because every person and their sensitivity levels are different. What causes symptoms in one person may cause no notable symptoms in another.
Rest assured, though, that symptoms of black mold exposure do not usually appear from a small amount of mold. Black mold allergy symptoms typically occur when there is a significant, long-standing leak from which water and moisture have accumulated over time.
Length of Exposure
Like the amount of mold, the length of exposure to it also matters in how severe symptoms may be. Again, because everyone is different, there is no definitive timeline after exposure of when symptoms might occur. People who are more susceptible may develop symptoms after a brief exposure, while others who are less sensitive won’t develop symptoms at all or only after an extended period.
Deadly or Not?
Toxic mold syndrome has not been proven. There is no scientific evidence that black mold can lead tomemory loss, trouble focusing,fatigue,headaches, infant lung damage, orautoimmune diseaseon its own.However, that doesn’t mean you can’t experience some symptoms, especially if you are sensitive to mold.
A Word From VerywellPeople with underlying conditions like allergic rhinitis or asthma are prone to reactions associated with mold allergy. Symptoms include nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, or worsening asthma symptoms. Consult with an allergist if you experience severe symptoms or difficulty breathing.—JURAIRAT J. MOLINA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
People with underlying conditions like allergic rhinitis or asthma are prone to reactions associated with mold allergy. Symptoms include nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, or worsening asthma symptoms. Consult with an allergist if you experience severe symptoms or difficulty breathing.—JURAIRAT J. MOLINA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
People with underlying conditions like allergic rhinitis or asthma are prone to reactions associated with mold allergy. Symptoms include nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, or worsening asthma symptoms. Consult with an allergist if you experience severe symptoms or difficulty breathing.
—JURAIRAT J. MOLINA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Mold Rash: Everything You Need to Know
Symptoms Associated With Black Mold
Inhaling or touching mold can trigger amold allergyor asthma symptoms.Mold toxicity symptomsinclude:
When Is Black Mold Harmful?In people with allergies, mold exposure can lead tosevere asthmasymptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing.Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of severe symptoms.
When Is Black Mold Harmful?
In people with allergies, mold exposure can lead tosevere asthmasymptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing.Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of severe symptoms.
How to Identify Black Mold at Home
Black mold is typically found in damp environments, like basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and leaky pipes. Black mold has the following characteristics:
You’ll likely smell black mold before you see it. It’s common for the mold to grow behind walls and under sinks.
Treating Black Mold Reactions
If you experience mold poisoning, you can treat it in the following ways:
In addition, take the following steps to prevent it:
What Are My Allergy Treatment Options?
Removing the Source: Black Mold Removal Methods
Experts suggest trying to remove black mold to get rid of it naturally.To remove mold, follow these steps:
Should You Leave a Home With Black Mold?
Favorable Black Mold House Conditions
Mold grows in moist places. It can grow indoors and outdoors and enter your home through doorways, windows, vents, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Once inside, it will continue to grow.
Common places to find black mold in a home are:
Mold grows on porous materials, such as:
How to Improve Air Quality
Maintaining the correct level of humidity level is crucial for reducing black mold growth at home. The humidity levels in your home should be between 30% and 50%.
An air-conditioner and dehumidifier can help keep humidity levels low during warmer months. Ensure your kitchen and bathroom have installed and functioning ventilation systems to remove humid air while showering and cooking.
When to Consult a Professional
In some circumstances, such as the following, it’s best to contact a remediation professional:
If you have allergies or asthma and are experiencing symptoms, contact a healthcare provider for guidance on safety and treatment.
Summary
Black mold can cause allergy and asthma symptoms. It grows in damp places, such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and anywhere there are leaks. With proper precautions, you can usually remove black mold yourself at home. However, more extensive areas may require professional help.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.Combating mold and preventing asthma symptoms.University of Wyoming.Facts about mold.Borchers AT, Chang C, Eric Gershwin M.Mold and human health: A reality check.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2017;52(3):305-322. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8601-zCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Health problems related to dampness and mold.OSHA.com.Identifying mold types: What colors are mold and mildew?American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Mold allergies.Environmental Protection Agency.Mold cleanup in your home.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basic facts about mold and dampness.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.Combating mold and preventing asthma symptoms.University of Wyoming.Facts about mold.Borchers AT, Chang C, Eric Gershwin M.Mold and human health: A reality check.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2017;52(3):305-322. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8601-zCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Health problems related to dampness and mold.OSHA.com.Identifying mold types: What colors are mold and mildew?American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Mold allergies.Environmental Protection Agency.Mold cleanup in your home.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basic facts about mold and dampness.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Lung Association.Combating mold and preventing asthma symptoms.University of Wyoming.Facts about mold.Borchers AT, Chang C, Eric Gershwin M.Mold and human health: A reality check.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2017;52(3):305-322. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8601-zCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Health problems related to dampness and mold.OSHA.com.Identifying mold types: What colors are mold and mildew?American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Mold allergies.Environmental Protection Agency.Mold cleanup in your home.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basic facts about mold and dampness.
American Lung Association.Combating mold and preventing asthma symptoms.
University of Wyoming.Facts about mold.
Borchers AT, Chang C, Eric Gershwin M.Mold and human health: A reality check.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2017;52(3):305-322. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8601-z
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Health problems related to dampness and mold.
OSHA.com.Identifying mold types: What colors are mold and mildew?
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Mold allergies.
Environmental Protection Agency.Mold cleanup in your home.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basic facts about mold and dampness.
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