Black Mold-Caused Illnesses

Just a few of the symptoms you'll experience when affected by black mold are:

-sneezing
-runny nose
-nasal congestion
-headache
-fever
-itchy and red eyes

For people with histories of allergy and asthma, the symptoms can be more severe. The spores of Aspergillus niger spreads as it is airborne and are so small that they can easily pass through the respiratory system and into the lungs.

It is thus extremely important to inspect each and every dark and damp corner of the room to eliminate the source. Sometimes, you'd be able to spot black mold out in the open, but this can only mean that these have only spread, and that there are even more profuse growths in hidden corners.

To look for the source of the black mold, the best procedure is to "follow your nose." Black mold gives off a musty, earthy smell, like that of rotting wood. Ceiling boards that are yellowed because of moisture are possible black mold-infested areas.

So are under-the-carpet areas in basements and attics. Other vulnerable spots are areas in the kitchen and the bathroom which are hardly ever cleaned, such as the backside of cabinets or appliances. You can also check behind peeling wallpaper for black mold growth.

This fungus usually creates an air space in the wallpaper, so you don't really have to tear off good wallpaper if it looks smooth and even enough. All it would take is a careful ocular inspection.

Otherwise, if there is a strong possibility that there is a black mold infestation in the walls, then don't hesitate to tear the wallpaper off to be able to get to the mold growth and clean it thoroughly even with ordinary detergent and water.

The black mold has to be completely scrubbed off to prevent regrowth. To see to it that it remains black mold-free for a long time, dry the cleaned area completely. If possible, use a hairdryer if the spot is not reached by sunlight (say, a wall in the basement).

Fortunately, most Black Mold species are non-toxic, making the symptoms caused by them not as severe as those caused by other molds. Black mold species that are particularly dangerous, though, are Stachybotrys chartarum (having a greenish-black coloration) and Aspergillus niger.

Mild or severe, black mold affects the respiratory tract. People affected by inhalation of this mold exhibit symptoms similar to those of sinusitis. As it mimics this common disease, your doctor may not even know that the illness you are experiencing may possibly be due to environmental factors, not from within.