How Quickly Can Mold Make You Sick?

In a previous blog, we examined the signs of mold exposure and how you can find an outbreak in your home. Today, we will be digging a bit deeper by evaluating how long it could take for you to start showing symptoms. 

A Varying Timeframe

According to Healthline, one important thing to remember is that everyone will respond differently. There are also a number of other determinants that could contribute to when you start showing symptoms. The truth is that people could start feeling sick in widely different timeframes based on several elements.  

The list of factors includes:

Allergies: If you have a mold allergy, your symptoms could be triggered immediately after you are exposed to mold spores.

Length of exposure: If you are only around mold for a brief period of time, you may go quite a while before you start showing any symptoms. On the other hand, if you are around mold for a long period of time, you will starts dealing with side effects sooner. 

Proximity: Similarly, the distance between you and the mold is crucial. 

Amount of mold: A higher quantity of mold could accelerate your side effects. If you are more susceptible to it, however, a small amount of mold could still cause you to show symptoms early on. 

Even with these factors in mind, there is still a chance that no two people will react the same. 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. You may unknowingly have mold growth in your home and not realize it since you don’t show any symptoms right away. 

Duration of Sickness 

For most people symptoms will go away in 1 to 3 days, assuming their exposure is limited and the mold is cleaned up/avoided. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it would be a good idea to visit your doctor. They can prescribe an allergy medication or provide other treatment ideas to make sure you are feeling better. 

Call Mold Medics

If the outbreak at your home is too extensive or if you would rather leave the cleanup efforts to the professionals, our team at Mold Medics would be happy to step in. We are experienced in mold removal, air duct cleaning, mold testing, and more. Contact us today with your needs and receive a FREE quote.