Updated 16 July 2021
Black mold, also known as ‘toxic black mold’ or Stachybotrys, can cause many serious health problems if found inside a home. There are numerous negative health effects from mold exposure, such as mental impairment, breathing problems, internal organ damage, and in some cases, even death. The symptoms of black mold exposure can be separated into different groups depending upon the area affected by mold presence.
What are the mental & neurological symptoms associated with black mold exposure?
Black mold produces toxins that can kill neurons in the brain and can impair a person’s mental faculties. Exposure to black mold toxins may cause mental & neurological conditions, like nervous disorders. Symptoms of mental & neurological effects of black mold exposure include altered behavior, mood swings, and irritability.
Other symptoms of black mold exposure include:
- Confusion
- Numbness
- Short attention span
- Shaking
- Seizure
- Tingling
- Trembling
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Disorientation
- Difficulty concentrating
Can black mold cause respiratory problems?
In a residential setting, people are generally exposed to black mold through breathing in mold spores and mycotoxins. When ingested, mold spores have the potential to cause irritation and a burning sensation in air passages, such as the nasal cavity, mouth, and throat.
Some common symptoms of respiratory issues from black mold exposure include:
- Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
- Nose bleeds
- Runny, itchy, or stuffy nose
- Bleeding gums
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Burning sensation of the mouth
- Wheezing
- Bleeding or swelling in the lungs
Black mold exposure can damage your circulatory system
Black mold spores can be inhaled, consumed, or absorbed through a person’s skin or eyes. When mycotoxins find their way into the bloodstream, mycotoxins have the potential to cause serious damage.
Symptoms of circulatory system damage from black mold include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Bleeding tendency
- Internal bleeding
- Vomiting up blood
- Heart inflammation
- Bleeding in the brain
Can black mold exposure impair vision?
When toxic black mold spores enter the air, they can easily enter an individual’s eyes, ears, and other orifices, causing different vision problems.
Symptoms of vision problems from black mold toxins:
- Eye inflammation
- Bloodshot eyes
- Blurry vision
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes)
Black mold toxins can affect the skin
If a person comes in physical contact with toxic mold, they can develop serious skin problems and severe rashes.
Symptoms:
- Jaundice
- Crawling skin
- Skin inflammation, rash, blisters, itchiness
Other Symptoms
Toxic black mold can cause many other symptoms when a person is exposed for any length of time. Some of these symptoms are very common with many other types of sickness, so it is sometimes hard to identify that mold is the problem. Some of these symptoms are:
- Chronic fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Reoccurring colds
- Headaches
- Chest, muscle, abdominal, or joint pain
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
Black mold affects different people in many different ways. Some people’s symptoms will not be as severe as others. People with weak immune systems, such as the elderly or children, can have more serious reactions to black mold exposure.
The best long-term course of action is to take routine measures to prevent all mold growth in your home or property. If you want more information on the health effects of black mold, please visit the Resource page on our website.
If you think that black mold may be present in your home or commercial building, please contact Certified Restoration immediately. Our highly-experienced and professional San Diego mold remediation specialists can remove your mold infestations quickly and completely, so you and your family are not exposed to any unnecessary risks from mold exposure.
