Date: 8 Sep 2010 Comments: 0

Black mold with the scientific name ‘Stachybotrys Chartarum’ is a blackish green fungus that grows and colonizes everywhere including at human habitat. Also referred to as ‘toxic mold’ or ‘mildew’, almost ubiquitous in nature, it thrives in humid conditions on surfaces like toilet/kitchen doors, carpet, sofa, wall paper, damp wall, ceiling tiles, heavy curtains, unclean air conditioners and ventilators. The fungus looks fluffy in the damp state and becomes powdery on drying up, floats in air and triggers several health hazards.

You can detect early black mold symptoms at home from moist surfaces of wall, wooden doors and clothes, greenish black/brownish stained walls and stuffy/foul odor in air, characteristic of mildew. Exposure to the toxic mold in air can cause a large number of health disorders ranging from various types of allergy to infections and many severe ailments. Especially children, elderly members of family and those who are known to be immuno-compromised (for instance, suffering from cancer, HIV) are the worst victims.

Most common among black mold symptoms in humans are:

•    Respiratory discomfort, aggravated asthma, cough, sneezing, running/itching nose and throat, congested sinus

•    Headache, lethargy, dizziness, loss in memory and concentration, fluctuating blood pressure

•    Skin rash, eye sore and other different forms of allergic manifestations

•    Diarrhea, nausea and digestive disorder

•    Infections in respiratory/urinary tract and other internal multi-organs, which may turn life threatening in vulnerable subjects

In its natural process of growth and survival, the mold is known to produce some harmful substances termed as ‘Volatile Organic Compounds.’ These are also known as ‘Mycotoxins’, responsible for most health disorders and symptoms of black mold or symptoms of black mold poisoning as illustrated above. If you or any of your family members is suffering from these illnesses and self help pills have not worked, it is wise to seek medical advice and treatment without delay. The most vital step for your family health care, however, would be to look out for eradication of mildew from your home.

Mold and mildew removal is not an easy task at all even with professional help. For mild problems, you can help yourself by scrubbing with soap or chlorine water at the affected spots, spraying anti-mold agents and repainting after complete drying of underneath moisture with the help of dehumidifier.

There are some mold removal products selling in market, available at hardware stores, supermarket and online. They are, as manufacturers claim, non-toxic natural products, devoid of any corrosive effect, and are safe for both pets and humans. These organic products not only eliminate mold but also prevent recurrence by not allowing any food and nutrition for fungi to re-grow and survive. You can use them with a piece of cloth or spray on the affected or likely area, according to the guidelines given on the bottle or accompanying literature.

In cases of extreme infiltration by mildew and heavy damage to property (following maybe, flood, fire) domestic use of mold removal products will not work. Individuals or insurance companies hire professional services for remediation of mold after necessary structural restoration and waterproofing.

Your thoughts on how to get rid of mold should lead you in the first place to make the best possible efforts in preventing the fungus growth anywhere at your home. Maintain your refrigerator clean and spotless. Watch out for leaking water from roof and water pipe for immediate repair. Remove the offensive fungus from damp ceiling/wall, carpets, weighty draperies and upholsteries and keep them clean and dry. Change and/or repair the fungus affected door panel and wall. These measures will go a long way in ridding your family from mold symptoms forever.

If your home is relatively old and is extensively affected, successful black mold removal will entail work of builder, plumber and associated professionals. Initially you will need correct assessment as to the root cause of dampness which is serving as the breeding ground for black mold. Following necessary replacement and refurbishing of water pipes, wall plaster, damaged wooden doors, panels, carpets and other accessories, bear in mind the most important tip – keep your home clean, dry and airy.

In the above context, some changes in your regular lifestyle may also be prudent. It is to be noted that through the daily chores of bathing, cooking, tumble drying or hanging wet clothes, moisture gets locked in the room if it is without good ventilation. This accumulated humidity unable to escape, condenses and settles on every part of your room to germinate fungi. Keep your rooms well ventilated and doors and windows wide open to let in fresh air and sunlight, time to time and definitely in dry seasons.

Exhaust devices for your bathroom and kitchen do help in the situation. A dehumidifier attached with humidistat running on intermittent auto-cut, energy saving mode, is an effective gadget to keep your room fresh and dry. You may realize that expenses on this account is worth in the long run, to break the vicious cycle of dampness at home and bring in freedom from black mold symptoms and illness.

This quiescent monster, black mold is a great threat to your home, property and family health. Go, get rid of the menace once and forever.

Tags: symptoms of black mold poisoning, symptoms of black mold, Black Mold Symptoms, black mold symptoms in humans

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