Although toxic effects have not been proven, black mold does pose air quality threats in the home. People with mold allergies, respiratory diseases and immune system disorders suffer from an array of health effects brought on by inhaling the reproductive spores of indoor-habitat molds. Generally, black mold is easy to see and smell. There are also companies than can test your home for mold if you suspect it is growing, but cannot find it in damp areas or corners that accumulate moisture. Those who suspect they have mold allergies can undergo skin and blood tests for diagnosis.
Skin Problems
Some people who have mold sensitivities get contact dermatitis from touching fungal growths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that black mold, which patients can encounter in basements, bathrooms and other damp spots in the home, can cause skin irritation. The medical symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include a red, itchy rash and skin that dries out severely, or raises blisters filled with fluid. Dermatitis can flare as long as mold contaminates the environment.
Eye Effects
A set of medical symptoms that affect the eyes characterizes allergic conjunctivitis. Conditions of itchy, red eyes that overflow with tears can develop in people with mold allergies soon after environmental contact. The Cleveland Clinic reports that the body's response to allergens causes these inflammatory symptoms in the eyes. The release of histamines during an allergic reaction creates the effects of both dermatitis and conjunctivitis.
Upper Respiratory Upset
Histamines also unleash respiratory problems, perhaps the most common medical symptoms of mold allergies. Respiratory upset may occur upon infrequent, high-level contact with mold, such as following flood damage to the home, or from ongoing exposure to high indoor mold counts. MayoClinic.com includes histamine-induced itching of the nose and throat among mold-induced symptoms. Coughing, sinus inflammation, sneezing, runny nose, postnasal drip and nasal congestion may accompany these symptoms. Allergic reactions to mold usually occur periodically, according to fungal reproductive cycles, and intensify in damp weather.
Bronchial Complications
Individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may experience attacks of breathing problems after inhaling black mold spores, the CDC relates. Parents should note that mold may trigger serious symptoms in children with asthma. These effects may include chest or throat tightness, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath that can lead to respiratory failure, according to the Merck Medical Library. Patients with suppressed immunity who inhale airborne fungal spores can suffer from infections of the lungs, which may be accompanied by fever, chest pain or coughing up blood.
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