What Black Mold Exposure Can Mean For Your Family

What You Need to Know About Black Mold Exposure

The few specks of black mold you see could be the tip of the iceberg. A much larger, more dangerous, mold infestation may be hiding just out of sight. If you do not deal with it quickly and decisively, black mold exposure could lead to the types of symptoms that adversely affect your family. Is someone in your home complaining of health problems right now?

The Mechanics of Black Mold Exposure

Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold, attaches itself to cellulose-containing building materials. You might even notice it on carpeting or flooring that suffered exposure to moisture. As the mold grows, it develops spores. Eventually, these spores become airborne. When you inhale them, you experience adverse effects.

Health problems can mimic the onset of seasonal allergies. You experience coughing, sneezing, watering eyes and might run a fever. Maybe you experience headaches and constant tiredness. As the mold continues to grow, the symptoms continue and gradually worsen.

Mycotoxicosis Can Have Far-Reaching Effects

Nobody in your family is safe from the effects of mold poisoning. Members with compromised immune systems and those with pre-existing health conditions suffer the most. For example, someone with asthma will experience much more severe breathing difficulties than someone who does not have this condition.

Eventually, the consistent exposure to S. chartarum leads to long-term health issues. You feel tired and do not want to participate in activities that you used to enjoy. Difficulty breathing makes it hard to exercise. You gain weight, and other aspects of your health worsen. Some people see a decline in mental health, which might include bouts of anxiety.

When a family battles with these health problems, it changes the dynamics. You are not as active and cohesive as you used to be. You might not attend as many sporting events together. Children may no longer perform well in school or sports, which can hurt their self-esteem. Individuals lack the energy for vacations, outings, or volunteering in the community.

Counteract the Problem at the Source

The mold you see is typically only a small part of the problem. The allergy medications your doctor offers you do not make the source of the mycotoxicosis go away. Only mold testing and remediation attack the issue.

• Mold testing. You suspect S. chartarum to be the reason for your health problems, but could it be a mix of other mold spores, too? Experts conduct extensive mold testing that tells you what is making you sick and how dangerous the problem currently is.
• Eradication. Technicians apply targeted antimicrobial substances to areas of the home that release mold spores. Fogging is an effective method for distributing the mold killer to all nooks and crevices where spores might be hiding.
• Remediation. Prevent future black mold growth by cleaning affected areas. Service professionals remove damaged materials and provide long-term treatments for building materials that you do not want to replace.

Black Mold Remediation

If you suspect that your family is suffering from black mold exposure, do not wait to get help. The problem does not go away by itself. Instead, it gets worse over time. Contact Healthy Air USA today for immediate assistance.