You know that being around mold isn’t good for you, but you’re not really sure what will happen if you endure mold exposure. If anything, you’re probably more familiar with the short-term effects of mold, typical allergy symptoms like watery eyes and wheezing. However, the longer you experience mold exposure, the more severe your symptoms will be. These are the long-term health effects of mold exposure.
Short-Term Health Effects of Mold Exposure
Just to highlight the more widely known symptoms of mold exposure, here are the short-term negative side effects of mold. These allergy symptoms include the traditional ailments associated with allergies along with a few more severe symptoms.
- Itchiness
- Nasal Congestion
- Runny Nose
- Watery Eyes
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Asthmatic Reactions
- Rash
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Long-Term Health Effects of Mold Exposure
The symptoms above don’t just present a mild inconvenience. They can make indoor living insufferable where mold is present. Long-term mold exposure leads to much more serious health conditions like the following.
Lung Bleeding
People with compromised immune systems are particularly impacted by mold exposure. Long-term exposure to those with autoimmune diseases can cause lung issues beyond respiratory troubles. Lung infections can lead to bleeding lungs, which is clearly a very serious medical condition that requires emergency intervention.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis can be linked with bleeding lungs since this condition is another way of saying “lung scarring.” However, it’s better to use its proper name, as scarring suggests that a wound once existed and now only leaves behind a mark. Pulmonary fibrosis is an ongoing disease that makes the lungs inflexible and keeps those affected from being able to take deep breaths.
Memory Loss
Aside from the physical side effects of mold exposure, there are also neurological and cognitive side effects. Generally, short-term exposure can lead to feeling lightheaded or confused. Imagine being in that state for a long period of time. Of course your memory would also be impacted because your state of mind during your past experiences was compromised.
Pregnancy Complications
Mold doesn’t just negatively impact your body. It can also affect your unborn child if you’re pregnant. If your body, the metaphorical hospital building for your baby, is compromised, then your baby won’t have a safe place to grow and develop. Babies born from pregnant mothers who endured mold exposure are also more likely to be born with respiratory troubles.
Cancer
The worst long-term side effect of mold is cancer. It’s extremely unlikely to get cancer from mold, but it can happen, especially if someone is around unmanaged black mold for prolonged periods of time. Of course, if mold is visible, then it’s not likely for this to occur at all. However, if mold grows inside the walls, then it might not be obvious that someone is experiencing black mold exposure.
Call RestoPros for Mold Remediation
If you’re experiencing the short-term health effects of mold, call RestoPros for mold removal and remediation right away, before you start to develop the more long-term health effects of mold exposure. Call the number at the top of the screen to reach our office and schedule an appointment today.