Mold is constantly present in the air, wafting indoors and outdoors, producing tiny spores that reproduce. When mold finds water, it tends to stop and grow substantially, eating everything to which it attaches itself. Black mold develops when the spores have grown significantly. Black mold carries significant health risks, reports the Environmental Protection Agency.
Infections
People with compromised immune systems may develop signs of infection sooner than healthy individuals. Lung infections are common reactions among those exposed to black mold who are sensitive to the toxins or have lowered immunities. People taking immune suppressing drugs or chemotherapy are at a higher risk of developing infections. Rashes and skin infections such as athlete's foot and yeast infections may indicate a sign of mold toxicity.
Respiratory Problems
Symptoms of black mold exposure often look like asthma symptoms. The reactions can be immediate or delayed in people who are sensitive to the mold toxins. Asthma symptoms may worsen in those with the disease. Allergic reactions from touching or inhaling the mold toxins include sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing and trouble catching a breath can develop in individuals who have never had asthma before. The reactions may increase with repeated exposure. Sinusitis due to black mold may cause a fungal ball to form in the sinuses, which then must be removed surgically. Other respiratory conditions that can result from inhaling black mold toxins include mucus membrane irritation and bronchial infections that cause severe coughing.
Cancer
Myotoxins are the poisons that stick to the outsides of mold spores, and can infect humans through touch or inhalation. One of the more potent and common myotoxins is called aflatoxin B1; it is sometimes found in buildings that have been flooded. Ingestion of the black mold toxin can cause liver cancer, while lung cancer can develop after inhaling the toxin. In addition to indoor environments, the potent toxin has been found in various foods such as peanuts and contaminated grains.
Other Signs
According to the Mayo Clinic, a host of other signs and symptoms may be directly attributable to exposure to black mold. Nausea, fever, rashes and headaches often are found in people living or working in damp environments. Hemorrhaging in the lungs has been found in infants exposed to the toxins.
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