Many confuse mold and mildew, which is not surprising — they have more than a few things in common: Both are types of fungi that no homeowner likes to see in his or her home. Both are keen on forming in moist, warm areas.
Both mold and mildew start as tiny spores that often require a similar environment to flourish, making them easy to confuse.
Symptoms of mold exposure are very similar to Lyme disease, and it is not uncommon for these conditions to occur simultaneously. Someone can test positive for mold allergies and experience mold toxicity simultaneously.
Mildew is a fungus that grows on plants, clothes, and other organic materials. Mildew is considered an early stage of mold, though it is not as common as mold. It thrives in moist environments and often looks like a powdery substance. Mildew can cause damage to fabrics, plants, and other materials.
Aureobasidium
This yeast-type fungus can be mistaken for another more sinister and dangerous mold but is far less likely to make you sick. Aureobasidium can start as a slimy pink color, but it will turn brown or black and can look like black mold.
Depending on the aspergillus species, the mold typically starts out white in color, then changes to green, brown, yellow, or even black (not to be confused with stachybotrys black mold). The mold can become airborne and easily get into homes, which is why it may be one of the most common of household molds.
Check humidity: Musty odors can often be due to excess moisture. Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity, especially in rooms such as the bathroom, basement or other damp areas. Cleaning: Thorough cleaning is crucial. Clean carpets, curtains, furniture and other surfaces that absorb moisture regularly.
Can Mold Inside Walls Make You Sick or Does It Need to Be Exposed? Yes. Even if you can't see it, mold can make you sick. Spores can spread throughout your home, even from relatively contained areas like inside the wall.
Although the name implies a uniform coloring, black mold may appear black, dark green, or dark brown. It typically grows as a cluster of round spots with a distinctly wet, slimy appearance. As stated, black mold typically appears fuzzy or furry.
Activated Charcoal: Absorbs toxins, potentially helping to clear mold spores from your system. Take it in capsule form to absorb toxins. It's best used under medical supervision, especially after known mold exposure.
Can you have mold in your house and not see it? Yes, mold spores are tiny and invisible to the naked eye. They may be floating around your home without you knowing and grow on dark and damp surfaces where you're not expecting them to.
Lyme Disease overlaps and can mimic the symptoms of mold illness. The germ Borrelia burgdorferi is just one stealth infection that may look like mold illness. Even though the principles of treatment of each disease is different, some of the approaches to treatment overlap.
Persistent Respiratory Problems
One of the most common warning signs of mold toxicity is persistent respiratory issues such as coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. If you or your family members experience these symptoms, especially when at home, it could be a sign of mold presence.
If you want to monitor your indoor air quality proactively, you can invest in an air quality monitor. This will help you test if your house is making you sick. These devices constantly check the indoor air quality and provide feedback about the levels of different pollutants.
Mildew is a surface fungi identified as a patch of gray or white fungus lying on the surface of a moist area. Mildew is easily treated with a store-bought cleaner and a scrubbing brush.
Mould will easily grow and spread if the right conditions are present. So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
When a homeowner smells mold but visual clues are invisible to the naked eye, then mold testing can be performed by a professional to locate the colonies. A mold testing kit can also be inexpensively purchased from the local hardware store and utilized by the homeowner.
Symptoms may also differ depending on what organs are affected as the infection spreads. However, they commonly include coughing up blood, fever and chills, headaches, chest pain and shortness of breath. Additionally, Aspergillus can cause localized infections of the nails, eyes, skin, sinuses or ear canals.
Antifungal medications.
The most effective treatment is a newer antifungal drug, voriconazole (Vfend). Amphotericin B is another option. All antifungal drugs can have serious side effects, including kidney and liver damage. Interactions between antifungal drugs and other medications are also common.
Alternaria. Alternaria in the home ranges from olive green to brown/gray/black and often has a velvety appearance, sometimes with longer hair-like growth. There are approximately 40 species of Alternaria, but many of them are found on leaves, trees, bushes, or other outdoor vegetation.