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.
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.
To kill mold: Pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Saturate the moldy surface completely and leave it to sit for 10 minutes. Next, scrub the area to remove all of the mold and mold stains. And finally, wipe the surface down to remove residual mold and spores.
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.
Black mold is known for its characteristic black hue after reaching maturity. However, the color black isn't unique to Stachybotrys — people often confuse it with similar-colored molds like Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Dreeschslera.
Several types of mold in homes can be black, but when people say "black mold," they're talking about a kind called Stachybotrys chartarum. It's often found as basement mold but can grow in any damp environment, including bathrooms, kitchens, and areas around leaking pipes.
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.
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.
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.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to disinfect wounds, is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms including mold. It acts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down proteins and DNA.
Using an air purifier can help improve indoor air quality by trapping mold spores. However, you will still be subjected to the other indoor air pollutants that were not trapped. Due to this fact, an air purifier may remove mold from the immediate environment but it will not get rid of all of the spores in your home.
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.
Black mold is a microfungus, so it's no surprise that it looks like a germ or organism you would inspect under a microscope. On some naturally porous materials, black mold may be hard to differentiate from dirt stains, burn marks or other imperfections. Black mold on wood can easily be mistaken for dirt.
Trying to take care of mold on your own isn't just dangerous to your health, but it can also cause the problem to multiply. Since mold spores can spread through the air, you can't simply wipe them away like you would with dust.
According to the CDC, people usually experience their first symptoms within 2 to 9 hours of their first exposure. On the other hand, some people could go for weeks or months before feeling sick if their exposure is limited enough. This is why it is also important to check damp, dark areas of your home for mold.
Spray the area with a mixture of water and vinegar - half water, half vinegar. Next, scrub to remove all traces of the mold. For removal of black and white mold, spray the area with the half water and half vinegar solution.
Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.
Chronic Fatigue: Mold forces your body to work harder, leading to persistent fatigue, especially in those with pre-existing conditions. Lung Issues: Prolonged exposure can cause lasting damage to lung function.
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.
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.