Mold Health Effects

Most people don’t realize just how dangerous mold can be if you live in a contaminated home or work in a contaminated building for prolonged periods of time. Elevated levels of mold can cause some health complications that most people aren’t aware of and of course, some home sellers (whose homes for sale are sometimes contaminated) are skeptical. They want proof, when there is quite a lot of evidence that proves that the mycotoxins produced by mold cause diseases in human beings.

The inhalation of a large amount of mold spores can cause significant health problems like allergy symptoms, asthma, colds, coughing incessantly, bleeding in the lungs (particularly in infants or pets), trouble breathing, and even cancer. Problems with the central nervous system of a person are also known to be a problem.

Problems with vision, chronic or excessive fatique, mood swings, hives, headaches, sinus problems, tremors, trouble speaking, vomiting, and vertigo have been known to occur. A recent study even shows that children who are exposed to molds and workers who are exposed to them in working environments are more likely to develop asthma.

A condition that affects the lungs like hypersensitivity pneumonitis is developed by inhaling the mold spores (or anything like dust or other fungus spores) for prolonged periods of time. If the air conditions that cause the condition are not improved significantly or the person is not removed from the situation, the lungs can become irreparably damaged and cannot function. This is one of many serious conditions that can be caused due to prolonged exposure to mold.

Basically, there are more health complications associated with mold than you can shake a stick at and most people don’t realize that there are this many problems associated with mold growing in their homes. They think that it’s not that big of a deal and can afford to put off getting it removed from their homes or that they can’t afford to relocate until it is removed, but the fact is that if you’re a healthy adult, you might be able to hold up for a short period of time in these conditions before it starts to take its toll on you, but your baby, elderly relative living with you, or your pet very well may not. It’s best not to take chances with your or your family’s health. Do whatever is necessary to get out of the mold contaminated home or apartment or have it removed as soon as possible.

Mold and Our Pets

Most of us who have pets aren’t really aware that mold is just as dangerous to them as it is to us. In fact, pets, especially young ones and birds, are more susceptible to the affects of mold than human beings are. They are in the category of the first to suffer from the health complications associated with mold and some have even died while living in mold infested homes. Infants, pets, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are the most threatened when it comes to most environment-related health risks. One kind of mold in particular is more dangerous to our pets than others are and that is blastomycoses.

Blastomycoses is also a dangerous kind of mold that has been known to cause pneumonia, skin, and other respiratory infections in our pets. Other organs can be infected and it’s no surprise that these symptoms and complications can also occur in human beings. Much like the canaries in mines that were used long ago to detect poisonous gases, pets are often the ones to warn us that there is a problem in our home. While blastomycoses is a natural part of our every day environments, excessive amounts of it can be extremely harmful. It takes the form of a mold in an indoor or outdoor environment, but when it comes into contact with human beings or animals, it becomes a yeast. Once it has taken on the form of yeast, it is no longer contagious. The animal (or human) can only contract blastomycoses by inhaling the mold spores or by allowing them to enter the body through a cut or sore on the skin.

Unfortunately, pneumonia is the most common form of blastomycoses symptoms in pets and can lead to eventual death if it isn’t untreated. Dogs often cough, become tired or lazy in appearance, have trouble breathing, and cease eating. Skin infections often are wet and itchy and can damage muscle and bone structure if something is not done about them.

Blastomycoses can be dealt with using antifungal medications and a full recovery can be made in up to six months, although a blasto infection is often misdiagnosed and by the time it is diagnosed correctly, it is often too late.

The dogs most affected by blasto are larger, male, young dogs, and any breed that spends a lot of time outdoors, even though blastomycoses is a mold that can grow indoors.