I’m Healthy, Will Mold and Mildew In Fort Myers Affect Me?

This is a common question among doctors and mold professionals. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how healthy or immunocompromised you are, mold can affect you. However, the majority of the time, you hear about chronically ill individuals sick from mold. These individuals have chronic respiratory or auto-immune disorders triggered by mold spores. But, mold is a living organism that can affect all individuals- healthy or not.

What Is Mold?

Mold is a class of fungi. It grows and breeds by consuming the nutrients found around it. Additionally, mold can grow in a variety of colors and textures.

• White Mold
• Green Mold
• Orange Mold
• Brown Mold
• Black Mold
• Slimy Mold
• Fuzzy Mold
• Dusty Mold

Check out our blogs about the different mold colors and species to learn more.

With thousands of mold species, the possibility of mold exposure is high for anyone. The risk is especially high for residents here in Southwest Florida. Mold thrives in their desired environment: warm and moist. Here in Fort Myers, that environment is our everyday climate. When mold takes root in your home, it begins to digest the nutrients around it. These nutrients can be plants, wood, drywall, clothing, or other fabrics. Any organic material is digestible nutrients for mold. This is why you can find mold overgrowing in damp closets or internal walls of a home. The moist, warm, stuffy climate couple with the organic material is perfect for mold.

Moldy Homes In Fort Myers Florida

In Fort Meyers, FL, and surrounding areas, the climate is perfect for mold growth. A common concealed area for growth is within rooftops. Mildew and mold can grow along the roof, especially after the rainy season, while the roof is damp and warm in the sun. Another hidden area is within crawl spaces and attics. These household areas have the highest humidity in the home and full of organic material. Attics and crawlspaces are bare-boned and full of wood and extra building material. These materials make the perfect nutrients for mold to thrive. What once was a small humid space, out of sight and out of mind, is soon a danger zone. Mold can begin as a little mildew spot on some wood and begin to digest the wood, breeding and growing. Eventually, this mold will devour the structure, threatening the home’s integrity. Check out our article, “4 signs that you need mold removal in Fort Myers”, here!

Mold Dangers And Illnesses

Mold is notorious for its toxic properties. However, it depends on the species of mold the determines the risk. Not all mold is toxic. Some are beneficial. However, some molds are not toxic but still carry significant health risks.

Beneficial Molds

Penicillium molds are fungi species that are best known for their antibiotic properties. This fungal-based antibiotic is best known for its medication name, Penicillin. Specifically, this medication is one of the most common broad-spectrum prescriptions. The pink bubble-gum flavored medication given to you as a child was Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is a famous Penicillin given to children as their first “safe” antibiotic.

Molds also play a role in our diet. Certain cheeses depend on the mold for their distinct flavors. Blue cheese, Brie, and Stilton are all tainted with mold to develop their unique flavoring. Mold is also present in creating enzymes. The enzymes help the production of milk curds for cottage cheese and other products.

Mold is also a key natural part of the organic environment. Mild is critical in breaking down decayed matter into the earth for the circle of life.

Risky Molds

While not considered toxic, many molds are present in our everyday life and can cause us harm. There are hundreds of mold species found around the home. These molds can grow anywhere from our food to our shoes. Mold can go unnoticed and becomes a growing infestation under our noses. It is at this time that mold becomes a health risk to the healthy or chronically ill.

Those with existing conditions such as COPD and asthma are indeed at higher risk for illness. However, anyone can fall ill to mold. The difference is those with chronic respiratory diseases. These individuals are at a greater risk for respiratory complications from mold exposure. Immune compromised individuals can also be at a higher risk for mold-related complications.

Healthy individuals can also fall into the hands of mold. There have been cases of chronic symptoms and hair loss that did not subside until moving away. Mold can cause serious health risks. Most commonly, mold mimics hay fever and irritates skin diseases.

Mold is most known for:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Shortness Of Breath
• Itchy Red Eyes
• Itchy Nose
• Fatigue
• Joint and Muscle Pains
• Hair Loss
• Skin Rashes (Itchy Or Not)
• Exacerbation Of Existing Conditions Such As Eczema and Asthma

The symptoms worsen for those with chronic illnesses, or when exposed to toxic black mold.

Toxic Mold

The infamous toxic black mold, Stachybotrys Chartarum, is a dangerous mold species. This mold invades many houses in Fort Meyers and Naples area due to the favorable conditions. When this mold begins to form, the health symptoms tend to begin rapidly. While allergy-like symptoms mentioned above can begin, more serious symptoms may take root.

Molds spread and breed by spores. These spores travel by surface (attaching to items) or through the air. Toxic mold releases mycotoxins with the mold spores. Mycotoxins are the toxic substance released by the mold. Mycotoxins can attack the nervous system causing severe and sometimes permanent neurological symptoms. For additional reading on “5 Shocking Health Issues Caused By Toxic Black Mold”, click here.

Here is a list of symptoms that can be caused by toxic mold:

• Shaking/ Tremors
• Memory Loss
• Cognitive Dysfunction
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Sensitivity To Light
• Abdominal Pains
• Fevers
• Difficulty Breathing
• Chest Pains
• Shortened Attention Span
• Insomnia

What To Do About Mold

Take Action! If anyone in your home is feeling the symptoms listed above, contact your physician. Call iMold for a mold inspection and removal plan. Our staff is waiting for your call and eager to assist you. Trained and certified professionals will come to your home and assess concerning areas. Once a plan is in place for removal or remediation, our technicians will get to work. Safety procedures are always in place to ensure the mold spores in one room will not travel to another. Containment is key! iMold is ready to give you peace of mind for your Southwest Florida home. To speak with a staff representative, visit our web page or social media platforms. Keep up with the latest offers by following our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.