Like other molds and even some mildews, Stachybotrys Chartarum (and other toxic black mold) is allergenic, which means that its spores can cause allergic reactions in humans and animals. The inflammation caused by an allergic reaction can present as typical seasonal allergy symptoms, but they do not subside with seasonal changes. The symptoms can also present themselves as those of recurring flu or viruses or can even be more perplexing side effects such as night sweats or hearing loss.

Common Mold Allergy Symptoms of Toxic Black Mold Exposure

Symptoms similar to those of cold and flu:

Some of the most common mold allergy symptoms include stuffy nose, sore throat, itchy or red eyes, fatigue, and weakness. All of these mold allergy symptoms are commonly mistaken for symptoms of cold and flu due that some people experience during seasonal changes. But these mold allergy symptoms don’t end with the season: rather, the person affected by them has to deal with prolonged suffering.

Respiratory issues:

Mold spores can also cause asthma attacks. Asthma is a respiratory disorder that occurs due to the constriction of the airway and its hyper responsiveness. The National Institute of Health explores the links between mold allergies and childhood asthma here. People with weak immune systems can face serious lung infections and experience wheezing while facing difficulty in breathing. Toxic mold can cause inflammation in the lungs and alveolar glands. Respiratory issues include everything from less severe conditions like congestion and cough to more severe conditions like alveolitis, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Read more about mold and respiratory issues here.

Other severe issues related to mold allergy symptoms:

Other mold allergy symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, recurring headaches, nausea, fever, abdominal pain and other body aches. A person suffering from mold allergy symptoms can experience chills, swollen lymph nodes, and general discomfort. Perhaps the most severe mold allergy symptom includes anaphylaxis, which is a serious allergic reaction that occurs within a few minutes or hours and can cause death.

Other toxic black mold allergy symptoms due to exposure to mycotoxins:

Because mold can attack the pituitary gland–a gland situated in the brain that produces and releases necessary hormones like cortisol in the bloodstream–once mycotoxins enter your bloodstream, toxic black mold can cause PMS symptoms, PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome), menopause symptoms, and many more hormonal issues which can lead to a number of other reproductive disorders. This can affect estrogen and testosterone levels, thereby increasing the latter and decreasing the former and subsequently causing cysts on a woman’s ovaries. Because of these cystic ovaries, affected women can face difficulty in losing weight, hair loss, and other issues caused by hormonal imbalances resulting from exposure to toxic black mold.

In addition to reproductive symptoms, people with mold allergies can suffer from severe muscle pain, muscle twitching, stomach ulcers, fibromyalgia, joint pain and IgA nephropathy, which is a disease that impacts the kidneys. Mold allergy symptoms related to hearing include ringing in the ears, sensitivity to sound, and, in extreme cases, hearing loss. Mycotoxins can cause a person to become allergic to certain foods like cheese, mushrooms, fish, jams, jellies and much more. People exposed to mold spores can also show symptoms of multiple sclerosis, may experience a metallic or dirt like taste in their mouth, and can face excessive thirst and urination. They can also face difficulty in regulating their body temperatures.

Frustrating neurological symptoms of mold allergies can include chronic headaches, depression, and reduced attention span can. These symptoms are similar to those of certain autoimmune diseases and therefore can be a bit difficult to diagnose as resulting from mold allergies. However, exposure to high concentrations of mold spores in the bloodstream can also cause a condition called neurotoxicity, the result of a neurotoxin causing damage to nervous tissue. This can eventually disrupt or even kill the cells that transmit and process signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. In more severe cases still, toxic mold spores can lead to cancer and eventually even death.

Everyone reacts differently:

Many people exposed to mycotoxins released by toxic black mold experience common allergy symptoms. However, the inflammation resulting from an allergic response can cause a wide array of mold allergy symptoms, as not everyone reacts to mold in the same way. While we have attempted to include a wide spectrum of potential mold allergy symptoms, please note that this list is not comprehensive due to allergic reactions’ highly individualized nature.

Been exposed to mold? We are here to help:

Mold prevention/remediation is the first step to limiting allergic reactions. If there is black mold anywhere in your house, you need to eliminate it at once. If you have already been exposed to toxic mold spores and are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, contact a doctor at once.

Exposure to black mold can cause severe health consequences and mold allergies and should not be taken lightly. No one wants a supposed seasonal flu to turn into something life threatening. Mold Badger is here to serve your needs. Feel free to contact us for help locating a professional inspector or remediation specialist.