Mold is a highly toxic substance due to the trapped moisture in the floor and walls. Once it spreads, it releases spores that might enter the body and cause sickness.
It is important to note that mold sickness is considered serious and requires treatment by a doctor. The initial signs often appear similar with other ailments thus it is vital that you know what to watch out for. If the individual has an immune system deficiency, mold sickness develops rapidly.
Initial phases of mold sickness
Brief and starting phases of mold sickness strikingly resembles common cold or an allergy. The reason for this is that mold can also be an irritant even in minimal doses.
If the individual repeatedly ends up with any of these symptoms after entering or spending time in a building or house, it might have a mold issue. The initial signs include:
- Itchy skin
- Sneezing
- Watery and itchy eyes
- Headache
- Skin irritation
Late phases
If the individual is staying in an area that has been infested by mold for some time, certain conditions might develop. In case any of these signs arise, a doctor should be seen right away since they might indicate prolonged exposure to mold.
The signs of the late phase of mold sickness generally include:
- Constant headaches
- Hair and weight loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constant fatigue
- Chronic bronchitis
- Coughing up blood
- Sinus infections
- Skin rashes and sores
- Sexual dysfunction
- Short-term memory loss
Advanced phase of mold sickness
It is important to note that staying in an environment infested by mold for extended periods can result to certain symptoms. These often develop since the individual did not consult a doctor or remained in the area.
At this point, the mold sickness could not be cured. The usual symptoms include:
- Long-term memory loss
- Blindness
- Brain damage
- Bleeding lungs
- Cancer
- Death in rare cases
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on mold sickness is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to recognize the signs, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Saskatoon, Victoria, Surrey, Mississauga, Winnipeg, Red Deer, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.