4 Signs Mold is Affecting Your Health
How Much Does Mold Affect Your Health?
Mold is a type of fungus that grows on organic matter in moist environments. Certain kinds of molds are toxic to humans and produce allergens that cause allergic reactions in most people.
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Does Mold Weaken Your Immune System?
Black mold (often referring to Stachybotrys chartarum) is what you have to watch out for the most. It causes allergic reactions that can severely affect your breathing, skin, energy, immune system, and blood circulation. As a result, the affected person could become significantly ill. It all depends on how many mold spores were inhaled into the lungs. Other molds can not be detected by the eye and require testing. If you have or even suspect mold in your home or business in San Diego and Orange County, call Orange Restoration today! (619) 376-6838 We are here to help and available 24 hours a day!
Four Most Common Effects of Mold on Humans
Breathing Problems
The number one effect of mold on your health is breathing problems. When mold spores enter your respiratory system, you could experience coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing symptoms. But if you only had minimal exposure to mold spores, you won’t experience any worsening symptoms.
However, if you have too much exposure to mold spores, you could develop more severe respiratory health conditions, such as lung swelling and bleeding. These conditions could ultimately put your life in danger.
Weak Immune System
Black mold produces a specific toxic substance called mycotoxin. If you inhale too many mycotoxins, they will suppress and weaken your immune system. Then you could become more susceptible to diseases, viruses, infections, and other forms of sickness.
People who live in damp and humid environments tend to get sick more often because of the vast amount of mycotoxins in the air. The best thing you can do is protect your face outside and turn on a dehumidifier in your home to eliminate moisture. If you have a need for ultrafine particulate matter removal, or are concerned with microbial growths, read our article on the topic Microbial Growth & Ultrafine Particulate Matter Removal.
Poor Blood Circulation
Your body depends on blood circulation to deliver vital vitamins, oxygen, and nutrients to its precious cells and organs. Since mycotoxins can weaken your body’s blood circulation, they can cause you to develop various health conditions and symptoms.
Some of the worst potential symptoms of poor blood circulation include heart inflammation, blood clots, irregular heartbeat, and internal bleeding. These symptoms are the result of long-term mold exposure but don’t take any chances regardless. Everyone has a different tolerance level to even the smallest amounts of mold spores.
Low Energy
If you have incurred long-term mold exposure, the immune system will attempt to battle the mycotoxins in the bloodstream. One of its natural defense mechanisms against mold is the production of a sedative known as Chloral Hydrate.
As the mycotoxins circulate in the bloodstream, this sedative will reduce the severe effects of the toxins on the body. Unfortunately, you may experience some uncomfortable symptoms during this process. The most common symptoms are chronic fatigue and drowsiness. Some people even experience muscle pain and joint pain too.
Understanding Black Mold
Black mold may get the most attention, many other types of mold can negatively affect health, especially for individuals with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Often the molds you can’t see are the ones that can be the most harmful because they go ignored.
In Southern California, the warm climate and frequent coastal humidity create an environment conducive to mold growth, particularly after water damage or in poorly ventilated areas.
Health Concerns & Mold Types Common To San Diego & Orange County
These are the most commonly encountered mold types found in remediation and testing in the Southern California region:
- Aspergillus:varies in color depending on the species, with common shades including green, yellow, white, brown, and black, often appearing multicolored with a powdery or fuzzy texture. The surface may look powdery or velvety as it matures and can develop a rough texture resembling a dense mat of spores. It typically grows in circular patches with defined edges, sometimes expanding outward in a “bullseye” or concentric ring pattern, with the outer edge appearing softer or lighter in color. Aspergillus is frequently found on walls with water damage, insulation, dusty surfaces, HVAC systems and vents, and damp wood or fabric.
- Why Common: Southern California’s warm and dry climate can lead to household dust containing Aspergillus. It thrives indoors, especially after water damage or in dusty, poorly ventilated homes.
- Health Concerns: Allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, and invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals.
- Penicillium typically appears in shades of blue, green, or white, though it can also present yellowish or gray tones, often with a velvety or powdery surface texture. As it matures, the colonies may look denser and slightly granular due to spore production. It grows in flat, spreading patches with irregular edges, sometimes forming concentric rings or gradients of color. Penicillium is commonly found on water-damaged materials such as carpets, insulation, wallpaper, and drywall, as well as on spoiled food and organic debris in damp environments.
- Why Common: Water-damaged materials like carpets, insulation, and drywall are prevalent sources of Penicillium. High indoor humidity or leaks in homes create ideal conditions for its growth.
- Health Concerns: Allergies, asthma, and exposure to mycotoxins, which can lead to more severe health issues.
- Cladosporium often appears in shades of olive green, brown, or black, with a suede-like or powdery texture that becomes more pronounced as it matures. It tends to grow in irregular, spreading patches with soft, fuzzy edges, adapting easily to a variety of surfaces. This mold is unique in remediation because it thrives in both warm and cool conditions, making it particularly persistent in areas like HVAC systems, window sills, and water-damaged wood or fabrics. Its ability to grow indoors and outdoors means it frequently requires professional remediation to prevent further contamination and protect indoor air quality.
- Why Common: Found both indoors and outdoors, Cladosporium is highly prevalent in Southern California homes, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements with high humidity or condensation.
- Health Concerns: Triggers asthma and allergic responses like sinus irritation and skin rashes.
- Alternaria is typically dark green or brown with a velvety or fuzzy texture that develops as the mold matures. It grows in irregular, spreading patches and often appears in damp areas prone to condensation or leaks. This mold is commonly found in bathrooms, under sinks, and around plumbing fixtures, making professional plumbing repairs critical in remediation efforts to address the root cause of moisture. Alternaria is also prevalent on windowsills, shower walls, and water-damaged materials, requiring expert mold remediation and indoor air quality testing to ensure complete removal and a safe living environment.
- Why Common: Found outdoors in Southern California’s dry vegetation, Alternaria can be carried indoors, where it thrives in damp areas like showers, windowsills, and under sinks.
- Health Concerns: Worsens asthma and causes hay fever-like symptoms.
- Chaetomium typically appears in shades of white or gray when young, transitioning to darker colors like olive, brown, or black as it matures, with a cottony or woolly texture. It grows in spreading patches and is most commonly found on water-damaged materials such as drywall, wood, and paper products. This mold stands out in remediation because it thrives in areas with prolonged moisture exposure, often following leaks or flooding, making water damage repair a critical step in addressing its growth. Its ability to produce mycotoxins underscores the importance of professional mold remediation to ensure safety and prevent health risks.
- Why Common: Water-damaged drywall and wood in Southern California homes frequently host Chaetomium. This mold grows where moisture persists, especially after plumbing leaks or floods.
- Health Concerns: Produces mycotoxins and may cause immune and nervous system issues.
- Stachybotrys (commonly known as black mold) typically appears as dark green or black patches with a slimy or wet texture, though it can become dry and powdery over time. It thrives on materials like drywall, wood, and paper that have been exposed to prolonged moisture, such as after leaks or flooding. Known for producing harmful mycotoxins, it often requires professional mold remediation to ensure safe and thorough removal.
- Why Common: Though less common than the others, Stachybotrys still appears in Southern California homes with severe and prolonged water damage, such as after floods or undetected leaks.
- Health Concerns: Produces mycotoxins that can lead to respiratory distress, fatigue, and other serious symptoms.
- Ulocladium appears in dark colors, typically black or brown, with a velvety or powdery texture. It grows in irregular patches and thrives in areas with high moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Frequently found on water-damaged walls, wood, and fabrics, Ulocladium often indicates significant water intrusion, making professional mold remediation essential to address underlying moisture issues and prevent further contamination.
- Why Common: Found in areas with consistent water exposure, Ulocladium grows in bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-humidity zones in Southern California homes.
- Health Concerns: Causes allergic reactions and respiratory issues, especially in sensitive individuals.
Mold-Specific Trends in Southern California
- Drought Cycles: Prolonged droughts followed by sudden rain (common in Southern California) can lead to water intrusion and damp conditions, creating hotspots for mold growth.
- Building Practices: Stucco and drywall, commonly used in California homes, are prone to trapping moisture, which fosters molds like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Chaetomium.
- Coastal Areas: Near the coast, salt air and persistent moisture make molds like Cladosporium and Alternaria particularly common.
- Post-Fire Mold Growth: After wildfires, firefighting efforts often leave water-damaged homes, leading to rapid mold growth.
Conclusion
Take mold seriously. It can have devastating effects on people’s health and wellness, especially if they have a preexisting respiratory or immunodeficiency condition.
The best ways to prevent mold growth are to maintain a dry indoor environment. Try to avoid water leaks and moisture accumulation. If you notice any mold growth, wear a face mask and clean it up immediately. Call a professional mold damage remediation company if the mold growth has spread too much onto the walls and ceiling of your home. (619) 376-6838