Toxic Black Mold Symptoms (Stachybotrys)
Toxic Black Mold Symptoms in Humans
Toxic black mold (aka Stachybotrys chartarum) can cause serious health problems and symptoms in humans such as debilitating mental effects, breathing problems, damage to internal organs and in some cases has even caused death.
Besides being toxic, the spores from toxic black mold are also allergenic and so they can cause the allergic reactions in humans that other more common household molds do such as sneezing, sore eyes and a runny nose.
Toxic Symptoms in Humans
The mycotoxins produced by toxic black mold cause toxic symptoms in humans. These symptoms include:
- Mental and neurological symptoms
- Respiratory symptoms
- Circulatory symptoms
- Vision and eye symptoms
- Skin symptoms
- Immune system symptoms
- Reproductive system symptoms
- Tiredness and discomfort symptoms
- Other illnesses and health symptoms
Mental & Neurological Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold
The trichothecene mycotoxins produced by toxic black mold are neurotoxic which means they can kill neurons in the brain and impair mental ability, as well as cause nervous disorders such as tremors. Exposure to toxic black mold's mycotoxins also causes personality changes such as mood swings and irritability.
Symptoms:
- Confusion
- Brain fog
- Shortened attention span
- Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
- Slowed reflexes
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Memory loss and memory problems
- Impaired learning ability
- Hallucinations
- Shock
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Aggression and other personality changes
- Tingling
- Trembling
- Shaking
- Seizure
- Numbness
Respiratory System Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold
People living in homes with toxic black mold are exposed to the mold mostly through breathing in black mold spores and mycotoxins. The mycotoxins of toxic black mold create irritation and a burning sensation in the air passages of a person such as in the nasal cavity, mouth and throat. These mycotoxins which are breathed in can become lodged in the mucous membranes, sinuses and the lungs which then causes a burning feeling, breathing problems and bleeding in the lungs.
Symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing - breathlessness or shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Pulmonary edema - swelling of the lungs
- Pulmonary hemorrhage - bleeding in the lungs
- Sore throat
- Burning sensation of the mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose
- Stuffy, blocked nose
- Nose bleeds
Circulatory System Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold
Black mold mycotoxins or spores which are breathed in, ingested, or absorbed through the skin or eyes eventually find their way into a person's blood stream and heart. This can lead to heart damage and problems with blood clotting and internal or external hemorrhaging.
Symptoms:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart inflammation
- Damage to heart
- Low blood pressure
- Bone marrow disruption
- Bleeding tendency
- Blood not clotting properly
- Hemorrhage - internal bleeding
- Vomiting up blood
- Bleeding in the brain and in other organs
Vision & Eye Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold
Airborne toxic black mold mycotoxins can enter into a person's body through the eyes. The mycotoxins are cytotoxic and can damage the cells they contact, inflaming and injuring the eyes and creating vision problems.
Symptoms:
- Eye inflammation and soreness
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Eye damage
- Blurry vision and vision worsening
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes)
Skin Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold
Skin contact is one of the three main routes of black mold mycotoxins exposure. In cases where humans handled hay contaminated with toxic black mold, they developed more severe rashes and skin problems on the area of contact and on sweaty areas such as the armpits.
Symptoms:
- Crawling skin
- Dermatitis - skin inflammation, rash, blisters, itchiness
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Immune System Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold
Toxic black mold emits chemicals which suppress the immune system, further helping black mold's mycotoxins to overwhelm a person's health. Many immunosuppressive drugs are actually derived from toxic molds. A person immunocompromised from black mold exposure will be more susceptible to infections and sickness.
Symptoms:
- Immunosuppression - immune system not functioning properly
- Infections reocurring
Reproductive System Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold
Mycotoxins from toxic black mold are teratogenic meaning they can cause abnormalities in the fetus during pregnancy which lead to birth defects. Toxic black mold mycotoxins are also cytoxotic and mutagenic, inhibiting protein synthesis including DNA and RNA.
Symptoms:
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Impotence
- Fetal development problems
Tiredness & Discomfort Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold
During exposure to toxic black mold the immune system may release a sedative called Chloral Hydrate as a defense to try to slow the effects of the mold down. This also makes the person tired and causes fatigue. Toxic black mold exposure can also cause soreness of the muscles and joints.
Symptoms:
- Chronic fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Aches and pains
- Muscle pain
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Malaise - general discomfort
- Headaches
- Cold or flu type symptoms or recurring colds
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Other Illnesses and Health Problems from Toxic Black Mold
Symptoms:
- Hair loss
- Weight loss, anorexia
- Hearing loss
- Liver disease
- Coma
- Death
Allergic Symptoms in Humans
Like other molds, toxic black mold and its spores are allergenic and so they can cause allergic reactions in humans such as breathing problems, sore eyes, runny nose, itchiness, sneezing and sore throat. For a more detailed list of allergic reactions which mold can cause visit
Mold Symptoms & Allergic Reactions
Does Toxic Black Mold Cause Different Symptoms for Different People?
Some people may not experience severe health problems from toxic black mold while others will. Out of those people affected by the mycotoxins from toxic black mold, people with weaker immune systems, children and the elderly will suffer worse health issues.
Can Toxic Black Mold Cause Cancer in Humans?
There has not yet been enough research to determine for certain if the mycotoxins from toxic black mold cause cancer although it is suspected that some toxic black mold mycotoxins are carcinogenic (cancer causing). However it is known that some mycotoxins produced by toxic molds other than Stachybotrys can definitely cause cancer. One example is the mycotoxin aflatoxin (produced by Aspergillus) which is one of the most potent carcinogens in the world. Also, most mycotoxins are cytotoxic, disrupting RNA and DNA processes.
Can Toxic Black Mold Cause Hair Loss & Baldness?
If you live in an environment where mycotoxins from toxic black mold are present you can suffer sudden and severe unnatural hair loss whether you are a male, female or even a child. Not only can you suffer baldness if you live with a toxic mold, but even non-toxic mold can trigger hair loss because of the allergic reaction it causes.
Will the Symptoms from Toxic Black Mold go Away?
After a person has left the contaminated environment and is no longer around toxic black mold they should see some symptoms gradually decrease. However some of the damage caused by toxic black mold mycotoxins is permanent and irreversible. A person badly exposed to toxic black mold will always have an increased or hyper-sensitivy to even small amounts of mold or mycotoxins in the future. Their immune system will also be weakened making them more likely to suffer future health problems.