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Mold can cause health problems, especially for those with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Cleaning visible mold and using air purifiers can help reduce exposure. Stachybotrys chartarum, or “toxic mold,” should be eliminated with bleach, especially if there are infants in the home.
Some types of mold can pose a health risk to some people. The reaction of people is very variable and depends on the type and how much there is in the house. It is clear that some people are allergic to mold. Additionally, some populations are more susceptible to the adverse effects of exposure. Those who have allergies, asthma or lung disease may be more susceptible, as can children and infants. Those with suppressed immune conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, may be at risk of developing fungal infections in the lungs from long exposure to mold.
The primary response to mold is an allergic response. Not all people are sensitive in this way, just as not all people are allergic to pollen. In minor forms, exposure can cause hay fever symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sore throat.
Some people develop asthma as part of an allergic response to mold. This is one of the serious symptoms of allergy. Asthma can be dangerous and can get progressively worse if exposure continues. Whenever possible, those with an asthma response should have their environments as mold-free as possible. However, this can be challenging.
You can usually clean any mold that you see, such as that which exists on the walls. There are many things we don’t see, both indoors and out, that can cause health problems. Air purifiers can help reduce airborne spores that you can’t see. Preventing it from growing back by cleaning windows if they get damp and keeping bathrooms clean can also help reduce mold in your home. Bathrooms should never be carpeted, as carpeting can harbor mold and be difficult to clean.
An allergic response can also lead to an increased risk of sinus infections. In fact, those who appear to have chronic sinus infections without a viral cause may in fact be expressing mold allergies. Again, it helps to try and rid the house of any visible mold.
The biggest danger is the possibility of developing fungal infections in the lungs. This generally only occurs in those with weakened immune systems. Fungal infections can be difficult to treat and worsen when you already have a suppressed immune system. Antifungal medications can treat fungal infections, but many of them have negative side effects.
One type, Stachybotrys chartarum, is sometimes called toxic mold. It tends to develop after a house has been flooded. People show a higher allergic response to it and it should be eliminated by cleaning with bleach whenever possible. It’s also a good idea to replace carpets that have been exposed to floodwaters.
Some studies have suggested a possible link between pulmonary hemorrhage in infants and exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that there is currently little evidence to support a connection between pulmonary hemorrhage and this type or any type of mold exposure. However, the possible risk, albeit remote, suggests removing such mold from your home as quickly as possible, particularly if you have a small child or are allergic to it.
