Mold Exposure

Prolonged exposure to mold can prove to be a serious health hazard to some people.  One person may not be affected at all, whereas another has difficulty breathing and functioning properly.  For those with damaged or inhibited immune systems, mold exposure can be life threatening.  Elderly people and infants are especially susceptible to the effects of mold.

What are some of the symptoms of mold exposure?  One symptom is an unexplained skin rash.  Another is red, irritated, and watery eyes.  Other symptoms that may indicate you’ve been exposed to mold for a period of time might include headaches, fatigue for a prolonged time, a sore throat, asthma-like symptoms such as shortness of breath, or a bleeding nose.

There are severe health issues resulting from exposure to mold for a prolonged time.  Perhaps you work in an office, day care, church, or factory that has mold issues.  Over a period of time, your immune system can actually break down from the affects of mold in the body.  Some of the severe symptoms include:
·    Nausea
·    Diarrhea,
·    Ear infections
·    Frequent sinus infections or bronchitis
·    Hair loss
·    Coughing up a black substance or blood or both
·    Vomiting
·    Chronic fatigue
·    Difficulty breathing
·    Constant migraine headache
·    Open sores on areas of the skin
·    Sexual difficulties

If you suspect that you are suffering from exposure to mold, it’s important to track how you feel and where you are when you experience the symptoms.  It’s possible that your workplace, home, day care, or school is harboring mold and is not aware of the problem.  Let’s say the symptoms listed above are present only when you are at work and then dissipate when you return home.  Be sure to let your boss and your physician know where the symptoms are occurring the most.

If you discover that your home has mold issues, treat them as soon as possible.  In the event you find that your child’s school or day care has mold issues, notify them as soon as possible so the issues can be remedied.  Some parents may choose to pull their child from the affected environment until the mold has been removed.

Mold removal can prove to be a real challenge when it comes to commercial and residential structures.  However, there are steps that can be taken to make great strides toward making the building healthy and free of mold.  Don’t settle for less than the best efforts to make your child’s school or day care mold free.

Symptoms exhibited when someone has been exposed to mold can mimic other health problems.  Asthma-like symptoms can indicate both an asthma attack or an allergic reaction to mold.  That is why tracking where your symptoms occur can be very helpful.

Mold exposure is a very serious health hazard; so if you are experiencing several of these symptoms for no other apparent reason, don’t allow anyone to tell you you’re imagining things.  Make an appointment with your physician right away.  Some adults and even some children have died as a result of prolonged exposure to mold.  This possible health hazard needs to be handled with care and sobriety.  Make sure your physician or pediatrician understands your concerns.