I lived in a home riddled with black mould – it made my neck and face BURN, I was exhausted and could barely breathe
IT'S no secret that living in a space with mould can be damaging for your health, but one woman discovered just how bad it could get after she discovered the extent of black mould in her home.
Autumn Clayman, who is an holistic health coach, recently revealed some of the symptoms she experienced, including burning skin and extreme fatigue, much to some people's shock.
Autumn explained that she first knew something was wrong when she experienced a burning sensation all over her skin, but especially around her face and neck.
In the viral video she then showed a photo of her neck covered in red splotches.
“I would walk into my apartment and my neck and face would burn,” she noted, as she explained that the burning continued to get worse with the more time she spent in the space.
Not only that, but Autumn said she had an eczema flare-up, which started out as small bumps but soon developed into larger clusters as it spread over her arms, legs and neck.
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The presence of black mould in her home also led to heightened allergies and congestion, Autumn claimed.
She explained that she was "feeling congested more than ever" and she "couldn’t breathe most of the time."
Not only that, but she also experienced extreme fatigue and "burning, itchy eyes" because of the black mould.
Autumn explained in the video that she always felt tired, no matter how much she actually slept.
But the main issue with the mould in her home was that it wasn't always visible, which made banishing it a chore.
She even ended up spending “a ton of money” in a bid to get rid of it.
“I have never experienced health issues like this before,” she said, before explaining that her symptoms "healed rapidly" after leaving her flat.
After sharing her experience online others were shocked by the extent of her symptoms.
One said: "I had no idea it could be this bad, glad you're doing better."
And a second wrote: "I had the same problem, landlord knew and didn't care."
Someone else had a similar issue: "I felt so ill because of black mould, kept telling my landlord and he did nothing about it."
WHAT TO DO IF THERE'S BLACK MOULD IN YOUR HOME
INCREASE AIR: Kitchens and bathrooms are often where mould crops up due to the high levels of moisture in these rooms.
Even in colder temperatures, try to open windows a little when cooking or showering to allow water vapour to escape.
Wipe condensation from windows or walls to help stop the fungus from forming.
MAKE SPACE: Mould builds up where air flow is restricted, such as behind big pieces of furniture.
Clear out spaces where possible and try to avoid pushing sofas or wardrobes up against walls in cold and damp areas of your home.
If you have a fan heater, try directing warm air towards nooks or crannies for a few minutes daily to help dry them out.
DRY OUT: Salt can help remove moisture from damp areas. You could pop some in a small bowl or pot on a shelf in problematic areas and change it over when the salt starts to clump.
Some plants, such as a peace lily, can reduce moisture and help fight mould. Try one in your bathroom or kitchen.
CLEAN UP: Tackle black mould as soon as you spot it to stop it spreading.
You can mix a natural solution of two teaspoons of tea tree oil to two cups of water and use on walls to kill the spores.
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Vinegar spray is another affordable treatment. Make up a solution with equal amounts of white vinegar to water, then spray and wipe. Use it on walls when cleaning condensation to prevent outbreaks.
Bleach can be diluted with water to use on walls. If the fungus has got into the silicon in bathrooms, dip cotton wool in bleach and leave it overnight on the affected area.
"Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
"That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
"This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
"If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there's not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
"This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
"If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
"The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
"Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
"To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
"The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
"If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
"The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
"To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the , that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary."