Mold Exposure Symptoms: Health Risks & Physical Effects

There are many species of mold that have varying effects on a person's health. Possible health risks are allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory conditions. Physical symptoms also vary depending on the length of exposure.

Mold

• There is no feasible way to eliminate mold from indoor environments. Since the symptoms of mold exposure are so varying, many physicians believe their patients to have psychological issues.

Mycotoxins

• Ingested mold spores will cause mold to grow inside a person's body producing poisons known as mycotoxins. The longer a person goes without treatment for exposure, the more mold will grow.

Common Symptoms

• The most common symptoms of mold exposure are often confused for other ailments. Common symptoms include sneezing, itchy or irritated skin; itchy or watery eyes; and headaches.

Advanced Symptoms

• Advanced symptoms are experienced after being exposed for an extended time. Symptoms are more severe and last longer. Some symptoms are nosebleeds, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss and short-term memory loss.

Late Stage Symptoms

• Late-stage symptoms of mold exposure are the most severe. Examples of late-stage symptoms are blindness, brain damage, long-term memory loss, bleeding lungs, cancer and death.