What does black mold do to the human body? You’ve seen those greenish-black materials that look like gelatin on the walls of buildings. They are called mold. They are actually called Stachybotrys, scientifically speaking. There are different types of molds including:
- Aspergillus
- Cladosporium
- Stachybotrys atra (which is also called black mold)
All of these molds are usually found in particular areas of the house. Aspergillus molds can often found around where you put your air conditioning system. This is the type of mold that grows on food and can become allergenic substances themselves. If you have seen mold growing in your toilets before, those are probably Cladosporium. You can also find them on surfaces that have been painted. Black mold can be found anywhere. Outside your house it can be found in the soil and are actually helpful in breaking down dead leaves and limbs of trees. It grows well in areas inside the house that have low-level of nitrogen and that are rich in cellulose. When water wets the drywall of the house, carpet, tiles of ceiling that drops to the ground, they can serve as area where molds can grow if they are left wet like that for long periods of time. It is possible for you not to see any mold even you smell the presence of mold. But once you can see the mold the best thing for you to do is to safely remove it. If the mold has caused you any allergice symptoms it would be a great idea to schedule an appointment with an Allergist or ENT in your area.
How Bad is Black Mold for Your Health?
Molds can have negative impacts on the body. Stachybotrys chartarum which is also known as toxic black molds can release some spores as they feed on organic materials on the walls of the house, tiles of the ceiling that falls to the ground, and in some other places where they can be found. These spores can be dangerous to your health if you breathe them in or ingest them.
The toxins produced by Stachybotrys chartarum can affect the respiratory system, toxins of black mold can weaken the immune system, and they can affect your kidney, bladder, gastrointestinal system. It can affect your eyes, no
Can you get Sick from Molds in your House?
The answer to this question is yes. Apart from black molds, there are other types of molds, as already discussed above. Aspergillus molds produce aflatoxins. The aflatoxin can cause the development of cancer. You have heard of cancer before. It can be deleterious. Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus that can cause Aspergillosis. Out of the forms of Aspergillosis the most severe form is the Aspergilloses of the lungs. Other Aspergillus that can also affect that can cause Aspergillosis include Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus terreus, etc. It has been said that Aspergillus niger can cause, ear, nose and lung infections chiefly among people who have reduced immune function. Reduced immune function conditions include Human immunodeficiency syndrome, cancer patients (due to side effects of cancer drugs). Aspergillosis can also cause an allergic reaction.
Malt worker’s lung is a hypersensitivity pneumonitis that is usually found among people who among farmers that deals with barley and other forms of grains. Many of the spores produced by Aspergillus fumigatus can enter the trachea, main stem bronchus. Some of them can see even the alveoli (though very small or minute percentage can do this).
Cladosporidium mold can also affect your health. There are many species in this genus. Many (out of the more than forty species of Cladosporium) do not have a harmful effect on your health. Albeit in a higher concentration (higher number), they can be harmful to your health. Their effects include allergies and asthmatic symptoms. Asthma is a respiratory disease. If not properly managed it can become worse.
Black molds if ingested or inhaled can also affect your body like it has been said above. You can develop the problem with your gastrointestinal system, lungs, eyes, nose, mouth, kidney, and bladder. It can also lower your immune system. When your immune system is compromised, you are at risk of various infections that will not normally affect you when your immune system is intact (not compromised). There are some organisms that are medically called “normal flora.” Normal floras are microorganisms that are present in your body but will not cause infection because your immune system is okay. Examples include the presence of Candida albicans in your nail bed areas. When your immune system is compromised, these microorganisms can become harmful to your health. This is because your immune capacity level is now weakened. Problem with your eyes, gastrointestinal system, lungs, mouth, and kidney can be very distressful for you. Your kidneys and lungs are vital organs that you don’t want their functions to be affected. Your eyes, bladder, and other organs that can be affected by black molds are also important, and you will sure want them functioning well.
What are the symptoms of being around a black mold?
The symptoms of being around a black mold depend on the part of the body that is affected. When the gastrointestinal system is affected the following signs and symptoms may occur; nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, general discomfort. The effect of mycotoxins of black mold on the reproductive system includes impotence, infertility, and development of problem in the fetus. The mycotoxins from black molds can affect the functions and cause immunosuppression; this will make you susceptible to infection. Toxic black mold can affect your skin making you have inflammation of the skin. When you have inflammation of the skin, there can be itching of your skin, blistering of your skin, rash on your skin. When toxic black mold affects your eyes you can have blurry vision, bloodshot eyes, and yellowness of the white part of your eyes.
How to Detox your Body from Mold
There are many ways to detoxify your body of mold. You can detoxify your body of the mold using the following laundry additives, usage of rebounders, EC3 air purification candles, etc. Activated charcoals, Phytozon, Glutathione.
Black molds are not your friends. They can be dangerous. So always try to get your house and home materials rid of them.
References
- CDC – Mold – General Information: Facts about Stachybotrys chartarum and Other Molds. Cdcgov. 2018. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm. Accessed May 26, 2018.
- Black Mold: What You Should Know. HGTV. 2018. Available at: https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/interior-remodel/black-mold-what-you-should-know. Accessed May 26, 2018.
- Black Mold Symptoms and Health Effects. HGTV. 2018. Available at: https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/interior-remodel/black-mold-symptoms-and-health-effects. Accessed May 26, 2018
