Mold sickness cab be utterly scary. Surviving Mold says that mold sickness arises from biotoxins that the body is unable to process. Luckily, once these biotoxins are in the body, they exhibit unique symptoms that can be easily identified if you know what to look for.

However, if you don’t have a keen eye the symptoms of mold sickness could be misdiagnosed since they are similar to those of most allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says that some molds can also cause allergic reactions and could result in asthma, sinusitis, and inflammation of the lungs, just to name but a few.

Here’s 10 Symptoms of Mold Sickness You Need to Know

1.) Sneezing

Sneezing is common among people if triggered by cold or may be dust. Also, mold can cause these sneezes. At first, it may appear like signs of a common cold or else some common allergic reaction to an external factor. Mold spores cause nose and throat irritation making you sneeze.

2.) Coughing

Mold spores once inhaled cause irritation to the throat lining. This, in turn, leads to coughing. Continued exposure could also lead to more serious complications like bronchitis and pneumonia, which accelerate the cough.

3.) Wheezing

Wheezing is a common symptom when one is exposed to mold. Inhalation of the mold spores causes irritation and inflammation of the throat lining, bronchial tubes, and lungs. The inflammation hinders the free flow of air causing the wheezing sound.

4.) Watery Eyes

As a direct result of the histamine release, eyes of a mold victim may get watery. The chemicals in histamine flush out allergens and other toxins from the immune system. It may occur solely to push the allergens of the victim’s body.

5.) Postnasal Drip

Toxins elimination in the body has no shortcuts other than through the production of histamine. Histamine reactions results and your nose run endlessly as a counter mechanism of the immune system to defend the body against mold spores and restrict their entry into the system.

6.) Dry, Scaly Skin

Mold as said triggers allergic reactions. The reaction may lead to inflammation and irritation of the skin and occurs when the body’s immune system is overreacting to the allergen. It may ultimately lead to hives development.

7.) Chest Tightness

Mold exposure in most victims leads to chest pains. The pain is often referred to as chest tightness or chest pressure. It varies from just minor pains to severe and more uncomfortable pains.

8.) Shortness of Breath

The symptom has a direct relation to wheezing. The former leads to breath shortness hence difficulty in breathing. For the asthma patients, it could be fatal since exposure to mold could result in a full-blown asthma attack that is deadly.

9.) Runny or Stuffy Nose

Contact with mold spores could either lead to a runny nose, a stuffy nose, or both. It is as a result of the immune system creating mucus to counter the mold spores and hinder them from getting into the body.

10.) Itchy Eyes, Nose, & Throat

Mold spores in the body system trigger the production of histamine. It, in turn, causes different reactions such as itch in the eyes, nose, and throat.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Mold Sickness

The Mayo Clinic suggests you see a doctor if coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in your chest persist.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America offers some expert tips that can help you can reduce you and your family’s risk of mold sickness exposure by:

• Use exhaust fans
• Fix any leaks in your home
• Use central A/C with a HEPA filter
• Improve the air flow through all your rooms
• Lower your indoor humidity so it is below 50%
• Make sure rainwater drains away from your home
• Prevent mold and mildew buildup in your bathrooms, basements and laundry areas
• If you use a dehumidifier, be sure to properly clean the reservoir at least twice a week to prevent any mold growth.

These simple steps reduce humidity levels and increase air low will help you reduce your risk of mold sickness.

Does your family or friends know the signs and symptoms of mold sickness?

Help save someone’s life when you SHARE this article on social media!