Mold can grow any place there is moisture, meaning the likelihood that you and your family have been exposed to mold is higher than you might think [1]. Unfortunately, mold exposure can lead to a variety of health problems, ranging from just irritating, such as sniffling and sneezing, to severe chronic lung illnesses. Even more unfortunate is the fact that many people do not realize they are suffering from mold exposure.
To help you determine whether or not you have been exposed to mold, look through this list of the most common signs of mold exposure.
Early Symptoms of Mold Exposure
The early symptoms of mold exposure usually appear when you have been subjected to short-term mold exposure. They include:
- Respiratory symptoms may include frequently suffering from a stuffy or a runny nose, coughing, postnasal drip, and sneezing.
- You may also struggle with irritated eyes that are often swollen, red, and itchy. You may or may notice a runny discharge.
- Frequent headaches and/ or an unexplained low-grade fever are other common symptoms of mold exposure.
- You may notice skin irritation, frequently in the form of a rash or hives.
Advanced Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Being in an environment contaminated by mold on and off over an extended period of time usually causes the symptoms listed above to become more severe and longer lasting. In addition, you may experience:
- You may suffer from constant headaches that are rarely completely relieved by over-the-counter medications.
- You may notice blood or a black looking discharge when coughing. Nosebleeds can also be an advanced symptom of mold exposure.
- You may experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea, and/ or vomiting. This may be accompanied by a loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Constantly feeling fatigued is also common.
- In addition to the skin rashes, you may have already noticed, you may begin to see open sores on your skin and/ or hair loss.
- You may experience short-term memory loss, develop nervous and neurological disorders, or begin to struggle with sexual dysfunction.
- Chronic health conditions, such as sinus infections, ear infections, bronchitis, and pain in the muscles and joints, may develop. This could be accompanied by swollen glands under your armpit and in your neck area.
- You may suffer a sudden asthma attack, even if you do not have a history of asthma.
Dangerous Health Problems Potentially Caused by Mold Exposure
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is crucial that you seek treatment immediately and work to identify and eradicate the mold source. If not, your symptoms could get even worse, resulting in:
- Long-term memory loss
- Brain damage
- Partial or total blindness in one or both eyes
- Cancer, particularly of the lungs
- Bleeding lungs
- Death
Are You Being Exposed to Mold?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above, it is time to schedule an appointment with your physician. He or she can determine whether or not your symptoms are related to mold exposure. Domicile Consulting can also perform a thorough inspection to locate any mold or potential mold issues. If mold is a problem, contact a mold remediation expert immediately to protect the health of your family.
