What health problems do molds cause?
Allergic reactions: Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This is the most common health problem caused by mold. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Asthma: Molds can trigger asthma attacks in persons who are sensitized to molds, and may worsen asthma even in non-sensitized people. Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Relatively uncommon, and linked mainly to agricultural workers with high exposures to mold, this disease may develop after either short-term or long-term exposure to molds, and resembles bacterial pneumonia. Irritant Effects: Mold exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and sometimes can cause a burning sensation in these areas. Opportunistic Infections: People with weakened immune systems may contract mold infections. Often species of the Aspergillus molds are the source of the infection, and can grow in the
