Black Mold Facts

Mold infestation is one of the greatest woes of many homeowners. So what is black mold? Stachybotrys is known as a genus of mold, and the nastiest of this genus is what we are discussing here - black mold. It is a slimy, greenish-black substance, known as Stachybotrys chartarum, and it is also referred to as toxic black mold. Places with a high moisture content and are warm and away from sunlight, are the ones that serve as the ideal habitat for the black mold to grow and thrive. The common places which are affected by it include ceiling tiles, wall paneling, leaky taps, bathroom tiles, and even cotton clothes that have not been used for long. The reason this mold type is known to be the worst of its kind, is its toxicity that is fueled by its by-products known as mycotoxins. These substances are tiny enough to become air-borne and make it into the human body. Exposure to these toxins triggers the start of many problematic signs and symptoms, the main ones of which are associated with the respiratory system of the body.

Black Mold Health Risks

There are over fifty different symptoms that black mold exposure can cause in humans residing in mold-infested homes. And this is just a general count, as there could be some more effects. The common effects of the toxic mold syndrome have been listed as follows:

• Acid reflux
• Acne breakouts
• Alteration in the immunity
• Anaphylaxis
• Cancer
• Chills
• Choking
• Coated tongue
• Cough
• Dandruff
• Depression
• Difficulty in swallowing food and water
• Digestive problem such as constipation
• Face flushing
• Hair thinning and loss
• Hives
• Hot flashes
• Increased irritability
• Increased vulnerability to bruising
• Infections
• Itching
• Lethargy
• Memory problems
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Mood swings
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Numbness
• Pain in the abdominal area
• Pap smears
• Problems with the central nervous system
• Puffy eyes
• Recurring colds
• Runny nose
• Severe perspiration
• Sinus infection
• Skin rashes
• Sores that won't heal
• Constant sneezing
• Spitting up mucous
• The person may have a dirt-taste in his mouth
• Tiredness even after having slept
• Watery eyes

As I said, these are the general symptoms that are usually seen in people who have been exposed to a moldy-environment for long. Depending upon the age and health of the person, there could be more of these.

Black Mold Prevention

It is most likely that once you start showing symptoms of a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, breathing problems, etc., the first thing that might come to your mind would be a bacterial infection, viral infection, or the like. There will be a few instances when someone would actually suspect the presence of black mold to be the cause. And this is where the situation worsens. With time, the infestation would spread in various areas of the house, aggravating the symptoms day by day. This might be severely harmful for those who are already suffering from other medical conditions. So the main treatment is to cut the survival modes of the mold. Begin by looking for places which are known to be the most vulnerable to get infested by the fungi. If you find any kind of water leakage that is creating the moisture, then fix it immediately. There are several home remedies to get rid of black mold, which you can make use of. Otherwise, you may also avail black mold removal products. These come in handy for a heavy infestation.

And if you find that using home remedies or commercial products are of no help then, do not think twice about calling for professional help.