We
have divided mold exposure into three primary categories: Allergies,
Underlying Medical Issue and Mold Overexposure. The subject of mold
exposure is an area of much scientific debate and there is a lot of
scary misinformation out there regarding this issue, so be careful and
do your homework.
Mold Allergies:
In many ways molds are similar to any other allergen such as pollen,
dander and dust mites. About 10% of the general population is allergic
to one or more types of mold at normal environmental concentrations. For
people with mild mold allergies exposure can cause irritation to the
respiratory tract, eyes and skin. In addition individuals with severe
mold allergies may experience intermittent fevers, wheezing, shortness
of breath, fatigue, and may develop seemingly random infections,
typically in the lungs. Everyone’s body will react to mold allergens
differently, some will have little to no effect, while others will
suffer greatly. It is analogous to someone who can live with 3 cats
without issue and someone who walks in their house and starts a sneezing
fit.
Underlying medical issue:
Asthmatics, infants and the elderly are at high risk of developing
complication from mold exposure due to their weak immune systems.
Immune compromised individuals, such as uncontrolled diabetics,
autoimmune disease sufferers, AIDS patients and chemotherapy patients
are at the greatest risk of developing a variety of complication during
their weakened immune states. The types of symptoms can be widely
varied based on the underlying conditions, but luckily these individuals
are typically under the care of medical professionals who should be
able to diagnose the problems.
Mold Overexposure:
In extreme situations where significant mold growth is occurring in
your home without your knowledge overexposure can occur. Indications of
extreme over exposure to mold could include headaches, nose bleeds,
swollen glands, ear infections, sinus infections, chronic fatigue,
bronchitis and rashes. If you suspect over exposure to mold you should
first health care provider who will likely refer you to an allergist. Other medical practitioner that may be appropriate include: infectious
disease specialists, pulmonary physicians or environmental
toxicologists.