Toxic Mold Related Illnesses

Mold in your home can be a very ugly sight and can ruin upholstery, clothing, and furniture. There are certain types of mold that produce toxins, which are known as Toxic Mold.

The toxins produced by toxic mold can cause a lot of diseases, in animals and in humans. These illnesses can range from something as slight as a common cold, but in some cases, could even result in death.

Here are some of the illnesses which are related to toxic mold, and which people can suffer from if exposed to toxic mold.

Allergic Reactions

Most types of mold are known to cause allergies in humans, so also toxic mold. People who have weaker immune systems, or those who are prone to allergies because of their genetic makeup, can suffer badly from exposure to toxic mold.

Allergies could result in hay fever, runny nose, breathing problems, and also sinusitis.

Some people could develop skin diseases and skin rashes as an allergic reaction to toxic mold. The symptoms can range from mild and infrequent, to severe and chronic.

Statistics show that a large percentage of Americans suffer from allergy related rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, skin problems, and other allergic diseases, most of which can be caused by toxic mold.

Pathogenic Infections

Some types of toxic mold are pathogenic in nature and contain illness producing pathogens.

Toxic mold types such as aspergillus, fumigatus, histoplasma, etc are known pathogens in toxic mold, which can cause sever infections in people who are vulnerable to such pathogens.

Although such toxic mold usually grows in plants and soil, it does find its way into homes due to animals or via open doors and windows, and thus can infect people.

Mold Smell Illnesses

Mold has a very musty and distinctive odor. Some people can recognize the smell of mold more easily than others.

The odor of toxic mold is not only unpleasant, but can also cause illnesses such as headaches, vomiting, nausea, blocked noses, and asthmatic symptoms in people exposed to toxic mold odors.

Toxic Illnesses

Toxic mold produces mycotoxins, which are poisonous substances that can affect the entire body of humans.

Mycotoxins can be inhaled by people through the air, ingested through food, and can also come in contact with skin, resulting in many illnesses.

Different molds produce different mycotoxins, which also depends on what king of material the toxic mold is growing on. The most common illnesses that are caused due to exposure to mycotoxins are:

• Respiratory Illnesses: Mycotoxins in toxic mold can affect the lungs and result in a host of respiratory problems. These include difficulty in breathing, stuffy noses, and are even known to cause bleeding in the lungs, which can lead to death.
• Digestive Tract Illnesses: Toxic mold can cause liver diseases such as fibrosis and necrosis. It can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and can even result in internal bleeding in the intestines.
• Reproductive Illnesses: Exposure to toxic mold can cause people to become infertile and can also negatively affect the entire reproductive and hormonal cycle in people.
• Highly Serious Illnesses: Toxic mold can also be responsible for a number of very serious and life-threatening illnesses, if exposure to toxic mold is continuous and prolonged. These illnesses include:
  • Cancer
  • Tuberculosis
  • Lupus
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  • Chronic Fatigue Disorder
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Epstein-Barr

If you or anyone in your family has been exposed to toxic mold, and suspect that your illnesses are due to that exposure, then you should get immediate medical help.

You should also avail the services of a competent lawyer who is experienced in toxic mold related lawsuits, as under the law, you may be entitled to receive compensation and also damages, for your medical problems.