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Black mould symptoms and health risks
Most people find mould before they connect it to how they have been feeling. Damp indoor air and mould spores are a recognised respiratory irritant, and the effect is strongest on the people who spend most time in the affected room.
Common symptoms in a mouldy home
Some people report a blocked or runny nose, coughing, sore eyes or skin irritation in damp homes. Symptoms have many possible causes; seek medical advice if you are concerned.
None of these prove mould on their own. The pattern to watch for is symptoms that ease when you are away from the property and come back within a day of returning.
Who is most at risk
Babies and young children, older adults, anyone with asthma, COPD or another lung condition, and anyone immunosuppressed. For these groups, mould in a bedroom should be treated as urgent rather than cosmetic.
Asthma is the clearest link. Damp, mouldy homes are associated with more frequent and more severe attacks, and bedrooms matter most because of the eight hours of exposure.
When to act immediately
Treat it as urgent if the mould is in a bedroom used by a child, covers more than about a square metre, is growing on bedding, clothes or a mattress, or appeared after flooding or a burst pipe.
Do not sand, brush or dry-scrape mould. That throws spores into the air. Keep the room ventilated, keep vulnerable people out of it, and get it dealt with properly.
Frequently asked
Is black mould toxic?
You cannot tell the health risk from colour alone. Damp and mould can affect respiratory health, particularly for people with asthma or other vulnerabilities. Ask a clinician for advice about symptoms.
Should I move out during treatment?
That depends on the extent of the mould, who lives there and the treatment used. We explain any precautions and when the room can be used again.
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