For most healthy people, black mold exposure will not be life threatening or even cause illness. However, children, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions may be at a higher risk of getting sick from exposure.

Black mold may make the following groups of people sick:

  • very young people
  • older adults
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • people with existing health conditions

Though most people are unlikely to die from exposure to black mold, it may cause severe health problems in the groups mentioned above.

Read on to learn more about black mold and what the risks are.

Mold is one of the most common living organisms on Earth. Molds love damp environments and grow both indoors and outdoors, including in areas such as showers, basements, and garages.

Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum or atra, is a type of mold commonly found in damp areas within buildings. It looks like black spots and splotches.

Black mold developed a reputation for being toxic after eight infants became ill in Cleveland, Ohio, between January 1993 and December 1994. All of them experienced bleeding in the lungs, a condition called idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage. One of the infants died.

Results from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigation revealed these children had been living in homes with severe water damage and increased levels of toxin-producing mold inside. This led many people to believe that the black mold was toxic and could kill people.

In the end, however, scientists were unable to link black mold exposure to the illness and death in the Cleveland infants.

In reality, all molds — including black mold — can produce toxins, but exposure to mold is rarely deadly.

People are exposed to mold through spores that are released and travel through the air.

It’s true that some people are more sensitive to mold than others. These people tend to be very young, very old, or have:

  • a compromised immune system
  • lung disease
  • a specific mold allergy
Symptoms of exposure to black mold

In people vulnerable to mold, symptoms of exposure may include:

How you react to mold depends on how sensitive you are to it. You may have no reaction at all, or you may have only a slight reaction.

People who are very sensitive to mold may develop severe respiratory infections upon exposure.

Some factors can increase your risk of a reaction to black mold.

Risk factors for illness from black mold exposure
  • age (very young or very old)
  • mold allergy
  • other illnesses that affect the lungs and respiratory system
  • other health conditions that compromise your immune system

If you haven’t been feeling well and believe you’ve been exposed to black mold or any other type of mold, schedule a visit with your doctor. They’ll try to determine your level of sensitivity to mold and if it may be the cause of any health issues you’re experiencing.

Your doctor will first perform a physical exam. They’ll pay special attention to how your lungs sound when you breathe. They’ll also take your medical history.

Allergy testing is typically ordered and performed by a medical specialist called an allergist.

This is done by scratching or pricking the skin with extracts of different types of mold. If there’s swelling or a reaction to black mold, it’s likely you have an allergy to it.

Your doctor may also conduct a blood test to measure your immune system’s response to specific types of mold. This is called a radioallergosorbent (RAST) test.

Treatment depends on your reaction and the duration of exposure. If black mold has made you sick, consult a doctor for ongoing care until your body has fully recovered from exposure to black mold spores.

The most common reason for a reaction to black mold is an allergy to it.

If you’re dealing with an allergy, you can take steps to limit your exposure and manage your symptoms. While there’s no cure for mold allergies currently, there are medications you can take to reduce your symptoms.

Talk with your doctor about taking the following medications:

  • Antihistamines. These medications can help reduce itching, sneezing, and a runny nose by blocking the chemical histamine that’s released by your body during an allergic reaction. Some common over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines include loratadine (Alavert, Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), and cetirizine (Xyzal Allergy 24hr, Zyrtec Allergy). They’re also available by prescription as nasal sprays.
  • Decongestant nasal sprays. These medications, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin), can be used for a few days to clear your nasal passages. Providers often recommend limiting use of these medications to no more than 3 days.
  • Nasal corticosteroids. Nasal sprays that contain these medications reduce inflammation in your respiratory system and can treat black mold allergies. Some types of nasal corticosteroids include ciclesonide (Omnaris, Zetonna), fluticasone (Xhance), mometasone (Nasonex), triamcinolone, and budesonide (Rhinocort).
  • Oral decongestants. These medications are available OTC and include brands like Sudafed and Drixoral. Providers often recommend limiting use of these medications to no more than 3 days.
  • Montelukast (Singulair). This tablet blocks immune system chemicals, causing mold allergy symptoms like excess mucus. It should only be used if other suitable treatments aren’t available, due to the risk of severe side effects (such as suicidal thoughts and actions).

Some doctors may also recommend a nasal lavage or sinus flush. A special device, like a neti pot, can help clear your nose of irritants like mold spores. You can find neti pots at your local drugstore or online.

Make sure to use only distilled water in a neti pot.

Use only cool water that has been distilled or boiled, or bottled and sterilized water, when irrigating your nose. Be sure to rinse your irrigation device with sterile water and dry it completely after each use.

If you have a reaction to black mold in your home, you can take steps to remove it.

You’ll be able to identify black mold by its characteristic black and splotchy appearance. Mold also tends to have a musty odor. It often grows:

  • on top of showers
  • under sinks
  • in refrigerators
  • in basements
  • inside air-conditioning units

If you notice small amounts of mold, you can usually get rid of it with a mold-removing spray. You can also use a bleach solution of 1 cup of household bleach to 1 gallon of water.

If there’s a significant amount of black mold in your home, consider hiring a professional to remove it. If you rent, tell your landlord about the mold so they can hire a professional.

Mold professionals can identify all areas where mold is growing and recommend the best methods for its removal. You may need to leave your home during mold removal if mold growth covers a large area.

Once you’ve removed the black mold from your home, you can help stop it from growing again by:

  • cleaning and drying any water that floods your home
  • fixing leaky doors, pipes, roofing, and windows
  • keeping humidity levels in your home low with a dehumidifier
  • keeping your shower, laundry, and cooking areas well ventilated
  • A HEPA filter may help reduce mold spore exposure. This is a special type of fan with a built in filter that will remove mold spores and other allergens from the air of an enclosed space.

Black mold may not be extremely deadly, but it can cause illness in some people. If you experience a reaction to black mold, consult your doctor to determine if you have a mold allergy or another underlying medical condition causing your symptoms.

The best way to prevent a reaction to black mold is to remove it from your house and then prevent it from growing back by controlling indoor moisture levels.