Medical Symptoms of Black Mold in the Home

Black mold does not form in a home overnight.  It is a subtle process, which typically causes serious health conditions when left untreated. This is especially true in the event of prolonged exposure. Black mold feeds on many types of common building materials such as drywall, carpet, fabric and wood.

When mold is inhaled, it remains in the body. It continues to grow there until the resulting condition is diagnosed and treated. It is a highly dangerous toxin that affects everyone differently.

Medical symptoms of black mold in the home are sometimes grouped into the following three categories.

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms typically occur as a result of short-term exposure. They are usually mild in nature and disappear when the mold is no longer a threat. These symptoms include headache, sneezing, skin irritation, persistent cough and watery or itching eyes.

Advanced Symptoms

Nose bleeds, extreme headaches, nausea or vomiting, hair loss, ear pain, swollen glands and memory loss are all advanced symptoms of black mold exposure. Breathing and lung problems are also prevalent. Symptoms, at this stage, typically occur when individuals are exposed to the mold on an on-and-off basis, over an extended period of time.

Late Stage Symptoms

Late stage symptoms are usually a result of ongoing exposure. They include long-term memory loss, blindness, brain damage and even cancer or death.

Several studies indicate that young children, the elderly and individuals who suffer from respiratory conditions face a higher risk of serious complications than individuals who do not fall into these specific categories.