There are many different species of mold, and most people don't know which is which. Most people don't even think about mold as anything other than that sick-looking stuff that shows up in your bathtub. But to people with allergy problems, sometimes these molds can be very disturbing. There is one species of mold called black mold that can cause you to start developing allergy symptoms like these if you are exposed to it over a long period of time: sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, fever, and red, itchy eyes. For people with bad cases of allergy problems, these can be much more severe.



The most dangerous of the black mold family are called Stachybotrys chart arum. This species has a greenish-black color to it. The other is the Aspergillus niger. These affect the respiratory tract in humans. Sometimes, doctors can misread your symptoms and say it is just hay fever, not knowing about your exposure to these molds.

These molds usually live in closed-up spaces like old homes that have unused chimneys which have been sealed off. Old wallpaper that was damp is also prone to growing this type of mold. If you can smell a dampness or odor that smells like rotting wood, then it is possible that your home has black mold-infested areas. Attics and basements are also a good place for these to grow. Behind that old wallpaper is another good place for these molds to gather. If there are air pockets in the wallpaper, then it would be a good idea to remove it. Clean this area completely and try to dry it completely as well. If you can't, then you can use a blow dryer.

If you live in an older home, then the problem with these molds is probably already beyond being able to be repaired. You would have to start from scratch and would probably have been better off to completely rebuild. Most of these older homes have been remodeled several times by these homeowners, and there is just no way you can remove them. If you do not own this home that you are in and you pay rent, sometimes you can get your landlord to have it removed. Most of the time these landlords will not because their insurance might not cover the cost of removal of mold. If your landlord doesn't care about the mold and is only out for the money and not concerned for your well-being, then the best thing you can do is move out and find a mold-free home.