Can Black Mold Make You Sick?
Black mold is a grotesque fungus that you don’t want in your home. While it may be gross to look at, can it make you sick? The short answer is no – at least for a healthy person. The real risk of getting sick from black mold comes from a few different groups of people. Very young people can get sick, and so can the elderly. If you have a compromised immune system or have a pre-existing health condition, you should stay away as well. Even in these cases, while they’re susceptible to getting sick from black mold, it’s rare that they can die from it. If you’re worried about mold in your home, it’s recommended that you have a black mold inspection.
What is Black Mold?
Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum or atra, lives in dark, damp places and tends to look like dark spots and splotches. It thrives in warm, damp environments like baths, showers, kitchens, basements, and toilets. It has a tendency to grow more in more humid environments, including if you use a humidifier indoors.
Black mold has developed a reputation over the years as toxic. This stems from a string of incidents in the mid-1990s when infants became severely ill. The illnesses led the CDC to investigate, and they discovered that the infants had all been living in homes with severe water damage and increased levels of toxin-producing mold. This led people to believe that black mold was toxic and could kill people. Extensive studies since then have shown that while mold does produce toxins, any exposure to mold is rarely deadly. There was even a test conducted in 2017 that demonstrated that exposure to black mold doesn’t cause particular health conditions.
So Why Do People Get Sick From Mold?
Mold releases spores into the air, which is what people are exposed to when we talk about “mold exposure.” As previously mentioned, people get sick if they’re especially sensitive to it. The very old and very young can get sick from it, as well as people with compromised immune systems, lung disease, or people who have a specific mold allergy.
If you think you or someone you know has been exposed to black mold, here are some of the symptoms to keep an eye out for:
- Coughing
- Dry, scaly skin
- Itchy throat, eyes, and nose
- Having a stuffy or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Trouble breathing
- Watery eyes
- In extreme cases, respiratory infections can develop
A person’s reaction to black mold all depends on their specific sensitivity to it. If you’re sensitive to it, you could experience one of the above symptoms. If you don’t have a sensitivity, it may not affect you at all; at worst, you may have a very minor reaction to it.
Reasons to Have a Black Mold Inspection
There are a few good reasons why you should consider having a black mold inspection of your home.
- You’re getting a professional opinion – Having a professional inspect your home for black mold means you have someone who knows what to look for and where to look for it. They can see the telltale signs of something more severe when others can’t. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and help you solve it.
- You recently found water damage in your home – You know the old saying, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire”? There’s a similar concept when it comes to black mold. Moisture has to come in from somewhere for mold to grow, and a mold inspection can find potential water damage that you may need to have fixed. Getting an inspection like this is a good idea since mold can develop in as little as 24 hours after a water leak. Mold is common after flooding from a storm, sewage backup, or broken drain. If you notice a foul odor or see discoloration of any kind, it may be a sign of a water leak, and consequently, mold.
While this is not an exhaustive list, these are just a few common reasons a black mold inspection is beneficial. This is especially true if you’re ready to purchase an older house that may already be affected.
Did You Recently Find Black Mold in Your Home? Call the Mold Removal Specialists at PNW Restoration
It’s not fun to find black mold in your home. While it is common, it can be hazardous to your health if you or someone in your home has a respiratory illness or allergies. If you recently found black mold in your home, contact the mold removal specialists at PNW Restoration for assistance. Our team of technicians is highly trained in black mold removal. We will use the latest technologies and tools to completely rid your home of black mold and disinfect the area.
When you’re ready to get started, give us a call at 971-247-3661 to schedule an appointment.
