A woman says mold in her apartment’s air conditioning unit caused skin burns and a $10,000 bill.
Autumn Clayman, 29, began experiencing a burning sensation around her face and began seeing red marks on her skin shortly after moving into her new apartment in Los Angeles, California, in February.
Then she started developing eczema (chronic inflammation and itching of the skin) all over her body and her allergies got worse.
Not sure what was causing her problems, Ms. Clayman eliminated certain foods to see if things would improve, but they didn’t.
In June, Clayman’s seizures worsened and she believed the cause was something in her apartment. So, she stayed at her boyfriend’s house for two weeks. While there, his symptoms began to ease.
Feeling certain that it was her home causing the problems, Ms. Clayman paid $780 to have her apartment tested for mold and it came back positive for Stachybotrys chartarum (or black mold) in her two air conditioning units, which They had been blowing cold air all year long. department
Autumn Clayman Claims Black Mold in Her Apartment’s Air Conditioning Unit Caused Skin Irritation
Clayman said he developed eczema (chronic inflammation and itching of the skin) due to black mold.
Clayman moved into the apartment in February and started noticing symptoms after a few weeks.
She said: ‘There is a big mold problem in Los Angeles and the apartments are old. I moved in April and around April I started experiencing symptoms.
‘I wasn’t 100 percent sure if it was the apartment, so I went through all the scenarios. I eliminated a bunch of foods to see if it would change things, but it didn’t help.’
Clayman, who runs a consulting company, continued: “For six months I felt like I was living in fight or flight. My gut told me there was a deeper problem going on.
‘I couldn’t sleep at night because my skin was so itchy. You’re not just dealing with your skin: your entire body burns and it really affects you.
‘I had a burning sensation that started in my face, eyes and neck, followed by visible red spots. Then eczema started in those areas and all over my skin.
‘My allergies intensified and my eyes were burning and itchy. I had fatigue and more depressive episodes too.’
In late July, after Clayman returned home from her boyfriend’s house, she paid to have a mold inspector inspect her apartment.
She said: ‘He came out and said he noticed there was mould. They checked the air conditioning units and there was visible mold inside. The air conditioning was always on full blast, so it was no wonder I felt so stuffy when I woke up.
“After a swab test, it turned out to be black mold.”
Black mold usually grows where there is moisture due to water damage, water leaks, condensation, or flooding.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that block mold triggers an immune response and people can experience exacerbated allergies and develop symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, congestion and eye irritation.
Testing of the substances in his air conditioning unit came back with Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold.
Black mold is a fungus that can exacerbate allergies and cause sneezing, coughing, and congestion.
For most people, exposure to black mold will not cause serious illness or death. However, for people with weakened immune systems, exposure to black mold can cause mycosis, a fungal infection throughout the body that causes fatigue, muscle aches, chest pain, weight loss, and asthma-like symptoms.
Following the test results, Ms. Clayman’s landlord apologized and performed two deep cleanings of the apartment before she moved back in.
While work began to remedy the problem, Clayman had several doctor appointments for his eczema and is currently waiting to see a dermatologist for his skin.
Despite the deep cleaning, she said her symptoms returned just a day after returning to her apartment.
She said: ‘They cleaned the air conditioning units. I returned in August and the next day my symptoms were back.
‘It was no longer safe for me to live there; It was affecting me physically, mentally and in my work.
“They decided to let me out of the lease and I moved out a few days later.”
Because of how widespread the black mold was in her apartment, Clayman said she had to move out and replace many of her belongings.
But because mold spores spread throughout the apartment due to the air conditioning, the mold had contaminated many of her belongings and she had to replace most of her furniture.
She estimates she spent $10,000 replacing contaminated furniture and clothing, and on doctor appointments for her skin and mold tests.
She said: ‘I had to get rid of the dining tables, the chairs, the consoles, the dresser, the fabrics, the rugs, anything that was porous.
‘With the financial losses and the disposal of things, so far I have spent $10,000; That’s not counting all the furniture I’ve had to buy again.
‘It has been fantastic in the new apartment. I feel like I can focus on healing and taking care of my body.’