How to ease symptoms of black mold exposure

Mindy Phillips, a resident of Ontario, Canada, first noticed something was wrong when she started having breathing problems. Over the next few years, she developed other health issues, including chronic coughing, eye irritation, nausea, and more, all while living her usual life at home. She could not figure out what was wrong. Then one day she noticed small black dots covering the air vents in her living room. Shortly after, a home inspection revealed the bad news: she was experiencing the symptoms of black mold exposure.

What is black mold?

“Black mold” is the common name for the species Stachybotrys chartarum, but there are many molds that can affect human health. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “there is always a little mold everywhere—in the air and on surfaces.” Mold becomes dangerous to human health when it feeds off of organic materials that have been exposed to moisture and releases toxic spores, known as mycotoxins, indoors. These types of materials are often used in building construction, and include things like wood, drywall, and carpet. The mold attaches to these materials and grows.

Black mold symptoms

Early symptoms include persistent headaches, respiratory problems, and itchy eyes. Additionally, it’s important to note that some people are more sensitive to mold exposure, and they may experience more severe symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, and rashes. Further, people with preexisting health conditions, like asthma or low immune systems, will feel black mold symptoms more acutely.

Black mold removal

The CDC says that all mold should be removed from indoor surfaces—there’s no need to identify the type. First and foremost, it’s crucial to find the source of the mold. Look for damp spots, such as places where a leak has occurred or rain has gotten into the home. Once you find the source, seal it off to stop the spread of mold. You can use a bleach solution to clean mold from hard surfaces, like Mindy Phillip’s metal air vents. For more porous materials, like carpets and drywall, it’s best to replace them entirely.

The Coway Airmega line of air purifiers feature True HEPA filters that trap and remove airborne mold spores from the indoor air in your home. This can help you and your family find relief from the symptoms of black mold exposure while you work to fix the problem.