Black Mold Exposure

Black mold is a fungus that looks dark green or black. There are many kinds of black mold. But when most people talk about black mold, they’re referring to Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum).

Black mold needs warm temperatures and moisture to grow and spread. It commonly appears in water-damaged areas of your home, such as:

• Basements
• Showers
• Windows

Most fungi, including black mold, aren’t harmful to your body (systemic toxicity). But if you have a mold sensitivity, mold may make your allergies or asthma worse.

How harmful is black mold?

All types of fungi can affect you if you have mold allergies. But black mold isn’t any more dangerous than any other type of mold.

In the 1990s, some people thought that there was a link between S. chartarum and bleeding in the lungs (pulmonary hemorrhage) that caused a group of infant deaths. But according to further reports, there was no clear link.

Sometimes, media reports or problematic studies suggest “toxic black mold” causes symptoms that affect your whole body. But there’s no clear scientific evidence to support a toxic mold syndrome diagnosis.

Symptoms of black mold exposure

Symptoms may include:

• Itchy eyes or throat
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness or difficulty breathing
• Wheezing

If you have a black mold allergy, it’s not typical to have symptoms like:

• Long-term (chronic) fatigue
• Brain fog
• Headache
• Widespread body or joint pain

Causes

Black mold grows naturally in the environment. You can find it in most places in nature. You can also find it in areas of your home that have the proper conditions for it to grow. Examples include bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms or areas with water leaks. In order to grow and spread, black mold needs:

• Moisture
• Oxygen
• A temperature between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 and 38 degrees Celsius)
• A food source that contains cellulose, like drywall, paper and wood

How does it spread?

Microscopic black mold spores are everywhere in our environment. Even though you can’t see these spores, they can enter your home through open windows, doors and vents. They can also latch on to your clothing or pets when you go outdoors. Once they find an area with the proper conditions, they grow and spread on surfaces until they become visible to the naked eye.

How doctors diagnose a black mold allergy

An allergist can make an official diagnosis. They’ll:

• Review your medical history
• Ask about any symptoms
• Perform a physical exam

In some cases, they may recommend skin or blood tests to help confirm their diagnosis.

How is a black mold allergy treated?

Managing it may include medications and removing the mold from your environment.

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications may include:

• Nasal irrigation
• Antihistamine medications
• Nasal corticosteroids
• Decongestants
• Montelukast tablets
• Asthma inhalers
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy)

What should you do if you find black mold?

To help reduce your exposure, you should:

• Fix any water leaks.
• Run a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to help remove spores from the air.
• Seal off the room.
• Contact professionals who specialize in mold removal.

How do you detox from exposure?

There’s no scientific proof that mold toxins cause conditions that affect your whole body. So, you don’t need to detox after black mold exposure.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

See your healthcare provider if you have black mold allergy symptoms, especially if they affect your day-to-day quality of life.

Go to the nearest emergency room as soon as you can if you have trouble breathing.

What can I expect if I’m exposed to black mold?

It depends on whether you’re sensitive to it. If you have symptoms and they bother you, reach out to a healthcare provider or allergist.

Mold spores are everywhere. So, you can’t avoid them. But you can reduce your exposure to high levels of spores by making sure your home doesn’t have any areas that encourage black mold growth. If you can’t reduce your exposure, medications can help improve symptoms.

If you suspect you have a black mold allergy, reach out to a healthcare provider or an allergist.

How can I prevent black mold exposure?

The following tips can help prevent black mold from growing:

• Reduce the humidity in your home. Get a humidity monitor and keep the humidity level between 30% and 50%.
• Repair any leaks in your home’s plumbing, walls or roof immediately.
• Throw out carpets, rugs, textiles, drywall or ceiling tiles if they got wet and weren’t properly dried.
• Use exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen.
• Use a high-quality air filter in your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Make sure there aren’t any leaks in your HVAC system. Have professionals regularly service it.