Woman recovers from black mold in her apartment and reveals her symptoms

A woman described the symptoms she felt before discovering that her apartment was infested with black mold.

Earlier this week, holistic health coach Autumn Clayman shared her experience on TikTok and how she knew something was wrong.

“I’m recovering from black mold after living in a moldy apartment, so I’m going to share some symptoms I’ve been experiencing,” Clayman said in a video with more than a million views.

The ordeal began when she felt a “burning sensation” all over her skin, especially her face and neck, as she showed in photos of red marks on her neck. “I went into my apartment and my neck and face were burning,” Clayman said, adding in the clip that the burning got worse over time.

The content creator also developed eczema, a skin condition that causes inflammation, redness and irritation. She initially had eczema bumps on her skin that later formed clusters. “It started as a small spot on my neck and then spread pretty quickly,” she explained. “I’m also trying to heal the eczema now. It spread across my arms, legs and neck.”

The third symptom Clayman experienced due to the black mold was allergies and congestion. “I felt more congested than ever. I have sinus infections, but I couldn’t breathe most of the time. Breathing in my apartment was difficult,” she said.

Most recently, she revealed that she was experiencing both “burning, itchy eyes” and extreme fatigue. “No matter how much I slept, I constantly felt exhausted and tired,” Clayman said.

She claimed that mold is “not always visible,” making it harder for her to identify the infestation in her Los Angeles apartment. The TikToker admitted that she “spent a lot of money” trying to figure out the cause of her recent health problems.

“I’ve never had any health issues before,” Clayman said, noting that she’s never suffered from eczema and her stress levels are no different. She eventually had her home tested for mold, which can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,100 depending on the size of the home. There are also several at-home mold testing kits that can be purchased online and cost between $10 and $100.

“Since I left my apartment, my symptoms have been clearing up quickly,” Clayman added. “My skin is getting better, I’m starting to feel better.”

Although mold is not always visible, there are certain signs that can help identify a black mold infestation. Black mold appears as dark, circular spots or patches on surfaces, especially in areas prone to moisture. Damp or water-damaged areas such as basements, showers, and windows are common locations for black mold.

Often times, people can identify black mold in their home simply by its smell – it is described as musty or moldy, but can also smell like rotting vegetables or plants.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, contact with black mold can cause sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation. Although it rarely causes serious illness or death, black mold can worsen asthma symptoms.