Mold is a common fungus that you’ve probably seen growing on old food. While certain varieties of mold are desirable under some circumstances (blue cheese is well-known for having mold cultures added), mold can cause significant damage to your home or business when left untreated in your walls, ceilings, or floors.

Mold reproduces via mold spores, which can be thought of as seeds. They are spread easily throughout the air, making it possible for patches of mold to grow quickly.

It usually isn’t too dangerous to touch mold unless you have a specific allergy to it. A brief brush or inhalation will be fine, so don’t worry if you accidentally touch by a mold spot while cleaning it.

Long-term exposure to mold, though, can the risk of more severe health problems, so we still recommend staying away if possible.

The health complications associated with mold typically involve the respiratory system, but skin rashes can also occur in people with sensitivities.

Mold can cause a range of health problems in individuals who are sensitive to its spores. The most common symptoms are associated with the respiratory system: nasal stuffiness, coughing, and sore throats are seen often. Skin irritation can also occur with direct exposure, and in more extreme cases, headaches, fatigue, and urinary tract problems are sometimes seen.

For people who are immunocompromised due to autoimmune disorders, cancer treatment, or old age, mold can be especially harmful and might even cause severe lung infections.

All mold needs to grow is moisture and a compatible surface. This makes it a common problem in homes and businesses — the spores don’t take long to accumulate, and only a few materials such as polished concrete are properly resistant to their growth.

Most frequently, mold grows on walls or ceilings that have experienced water damage from leaks or floods, but it can also grow in an otherwise unharmed room that has high humidity levels.

It’s a good idea to keep a humidity gauge on hand and make sure your home or business has roughly 50 percent humidity so mold doesn’t get a chance to form, especially in the winter when indoor humidity levels are typically higher.

The most important way you can prevent mold is by controlling the moisture level in your home. Here are a few steps you can take:

• Keep your home’s humidity around 50 percent, especially in the winter
• Immediately wipe away any condensation that accumulates on windows or doors
• Ensure each room has adequate ventilation, especially your kitchen and bathrooms
• Regularly check your home’s exterior for potential leaks
• Clean up any water spills or damage as soon as you notice them

Mold can start to grow in as little as 24 hours after water damage if the conditions are ideal. Surfaces that are especially susceptible to this quick mold growth are carpets and walls in rooms with high humidity levels.

If you notice any mold in your home or business, it’s important to reach out to a professional as soon as possible. Tackling the problem early will help prevent it from getting worse.

While they are both types of fungi that grow on similar surfaces, mold and mildew have a few key differences.

Mildew is less invasive and damaging to health than mold. It’s typically white or gray with a powdery texture that sometimes appears fluffy. Generally, mildew doesn’t cause lasting damages to surfaces like mold can.

Mold, on the other hand, is a more dense green or black growth that has a greater risk of causing long-term health complications like severe respiratory problems, joint pain, and even fatigue and depression. It has the potential to destroy entire structures, unlike mildew.

Black mold is particularly toxic to health, often causing severe respiratory problems, joint pain, headaches, and fatigue. It usually appears in distinct round spots on walls or ceilings and will have a deep green to black coloring.

With this rough description said, black mold is difficult to tell apart from other less harmful types of mold because it carries a similar appearance. It’s important to get in touch with a professional if you’re concerned that your home or business might be affected by any type of mold spores.

While mold in general is typically regarded as harmful to your health, different types can be more dangerous than others. These varieties are referred to as “black mold” and are known for causing respiratory issues, joint problems, headaches, and fatigue.

It is difficult to tell mold types apart without extensive experience, since they all grow on similar surfaces with a green to black appearance. We recommend reaching out to a professional if you suspect your home or business has been affected by any type of mold.