Symptoms Of Mold Toxicity
Mold illness is a serious medical condition that is often misdiagnosed due to the plethora of symptoms that it can cause. Toxic mold stores can cause the body to experience an inflammatory cascade that can cause a number of symptoms including-
- Joint Pain or Inflammation
- Skin irritations rashes, itchy skin and redness
- Eye irritations itchy eyes, watery eyes and red eyes
- Respiratory Disturbances coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks and difficulty breathing
Once you have been diagnosed with mold toxicity or biotoxin illness, you should take an integrative approach to eliminate the toxins in your body. Treating mold toxicity is sometimes quite challenging. Contact a functional medicine doctor for help.
What Is Mold Toxicity
Youre likely familiar with mold allergies. But you may wonder how they differ from mold toxicity, also called chronic mold illness. In short, poisons produced by mold can cause illness that extends beyond common mold allergies.
Mold allergy symptoms tend to be limited to your respiratory tract, eyes, and skin such as a runny nose and itchy eyes. Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to mold spores. Those are dormant forms of the fungi. Theyre lightweight and easily float through the air.
In contrast, mold illness results from mold growing indoors and producing toxins. These can trigger varied and widespread symptoms in your body.
The buildings that harbor mold toxins are water-damaged buildings. This damage can result from any water intrusion such as from flooding, melting snow, or leaky pipes. Everyday activities like showering without good ventilation are risks, too. Warm, humid environments also increase mold growth risk.
Toxic mold growth could happen in any type of building. The most problematic ones are those where you spend a lot of time. That includes homes, workplaces, and schools.
Studies suggest that up to 50% of buildings in North America and Europe may have water damage.So, its better to suspect a building has a mold growth problem rather than assume it doesnt.
How Long Does It Take For Mold To Affect You
Personal experience at water jobs: Mold does not seem to grow on every job in 24 to 48 hours. Personal experience on mold jobs: The labs take 48 to 72 hours to grow mold under ideal conditions. Non-scientific experiment where mold was not visible until day 18. The guidance documents imply 24 to 48 hours for mold growth
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Signs Of Mold In A Home:
When we visited this home, we were asked to clean up a little bit of mold. What you see here pales in comparison to what we found behind the wall and throughout the home.
Toxic mold can be hiding in any home that has been exposed to damp air. Sometimes its found in the places you would least expect such as your drywall, crawlspace, carpets, and more.
Mold spores are often invisible to the naked eye until they start to rapidly spread. Even if you cannot see mold in or around your property, there are still signs that indicate that you should inspect for mold.
Indoor Leaks or Floods:
It only takes 24-48 hours for mold spores to start growing on a damp surface. If your home experiences a pipe leak, flooding, or even a spill that is not fully cleaned up- mold can start to grow. Its best to conduct a mold test within 48 hours of water exposure in your home since mold grows rapidly.
Sudden Illness or Health Troubles:
If someone in your household is experiencing sudden health troubles, it may be a sign of mold. When left unchecked, mold can cause severe illnesses, especially in children and people with compromised immune systems. Sudden coughing, skin irritations, and difficulty breathing are potential symptoms of mold and a good reason to properly test your home.
Does Bleach Kill Black Mold
The EPA does not recommend using bleach to kill or remove mold, except in special circumstances. In fact, recognizing the bleach as a threat, the mold will grow back even stronger. When bleach is used on porous surfaces like drywall or wood, mold membranes will move deeper into the surface to avoid the chemical.
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Bleach Is The Best Method For Mold Clean
If youve found mold in your home and are worried about expensive testing and remediation, you might be tempted to find a do-it-yourself solution. Do not attempt to clean it on your own. Hire a certified contractor experienced in mold remediation.
While your first thought when attempting cleanup in your home may be to kill the mold and sanitize the area with the most powerful chemicals possible, do not use bleach or other strong chemicals on mold. In fact, its usually not possible to sterilize a moldy area. Mold spores will remain and begin to grow if supplied with moisture, especially on porous surfaces.
Bleach is formulated to work on non-porous surfaces. If you try to clean a porous surface, such as drywall, with bleach, it may sanitize the surface-layer, but it will not penetrate to the roots of the mold within the drywall. Water from the bleach will seep down to these roots, however, which will supply the mold with the moisture it needs to grow. It may appear that youve fixed the problem, but the mold is now thriving deep within the porous surface and will return stronger than before.
Finally, if youre already sick from biotoxin exposure, skin contact with bleach or inhaling its fumes will only add to your bodys burden. Instead of bleach, reach for supermarket 6% vinegar , which effectively kills mold and its underlying roots.
What Types Of Mold Cause Problems
Youve likely heard of black mold or Stachybotrys chartarum, which sometimes makes news headlines. It is greenish-black in color and well-known to contribute to mold-induced toxicity.
But black mold is far from the only mold that can harm your health. And Stachybotrys chartarum is not the only mold that can appear black.
Examples of other types of mold often found in toxic indoor environments include:
- Aspergillus
- Sleep: Insomnia, frequent waking during sleep, night sweats
- Urinary system: Increased urination, urgency, incontinence
- Weight: Appetite swings, weight gain or weight-loss resistance
Many of these symptoms could also be due to reasons other than mold toxicity and CIRS. Thats why mold illness is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. The specific effects depend on your bodys unique vulnerabilities.
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A Single Exposure To Mold Only Causes A Single Reaction
The reality isfor genetically-susceptible people, a single exposure can cause a life-long problem. If you have the wrong HLA gene type, your body simply cannot target and remove biotoxins. A single exposure could cause an indefinite recirculation of these toxins, provoking chronic inflammation from a continuously triggered immune system.
If this is you, even after avoiding exposure for days, weeks, months, years, or even decades, you could suffer from CIRS. Thankfully, recovery is not only possible, its probable. Dr. Shoemaker had developed and applied a systematic protocol, The Shoemaker Protocol, to remove biotoxins from the body and re-regulate the immune response to stop inflammation and reverse chronic symptoms.
It begins with removal from exposure. Exposure must be carefully monitored throughout the entire protocol. If there is a new biotoxin exposure from a water damaged building or other source, you must begin the entire protocol from the start. In many cases, re-exposure causes CIRS patients to get sick more quickly. The sicker quicker phenomenon is backed by evidence showing an increase in certain biomarkers in as little as four hours after re-exposure.
Many CIRS patients are highly sensitive to mold and other biotoxins. The smallest exposure can trigger inflammation and feelings of anxiety, agitation, and danger. Its best to trust your bodys reaction and leave a potentially contaminated building immediately.
How Do I Know If My Cough Is From Mold
Coughing. Another one of the most immediate symptoms of a mold allergy is a dry and scratchy throat, prompting a nagging cough. In some cases, mold can cause heavier coughs as well. Mucus and histamine production can lead to persistent coughing as your body tries to clear the throat of mucus buildup.
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Can You Have Mold Inside Your Body
If mold spores are inhaled or ingested you can become seriously ill. As mold continues to grow inside your body it produces poisons called Mycotoxins, these poisons leach into your body day after day. Each day untreated the colonies of mold grow larger producing and releasing larger amounts of toxins into your body.
What Can Black Mold Do To You
The most common black mold symptoms and health effects are associated with a respiratory response. Chronic coughing and sneezing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat, rashes, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches can all be symptomatic of black mold exposure or black mold poisoning.
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Consider How Food Affects Recovery From Mold Illness
A low inflammatory diet that eliminates added sugars and processed foods is a good first step. Also, it could be wise to skip foods that may be contaminated with mold:
- Corn
- Alcohol
Enjoy foods that are rich in fiber, antioxidants and that support detoxification. Eating an organic diet as much as possible means lowering the total body burden by reducing pesticide exposure. Increasing your intake of cruciferous vegetables may be helpful. Also, embracing food with antifungal properties such as olive oil, garlic, ginger, onion, coconut and lemon may be beneficial.
How To Deal With Black Mold And Recover From Mold Poisoning
- Black mold is extraordinarily toxic, and more common than you might think. An estimated 22 percent of people and half of all buildings in the U.S. have a mold problem.
- The good news is that the word about mold is spreading, and its becoming easier and easier to deal with black mold and mycotoxins .
- This guide will tell you how to test for black mold, permanently remove it from your home, and flush mycotoxins from your body and repair the damage they do.
- Mold can make you feel hopeless and like your health is out of your hands. Dont worry with these steps, you can take control of your body and brain and get rid of mold for good.
Black mold is nasty stuff. It causes chronic fatigue, mood swings, allergies, asthma, unexplained weight gain even cancer.
Mold contamination is also more common than you might think. In a recent Bulletproof Radio podcast episode , geneticist and mold researcher Dr. Andrew Heyman explains why.
We estimate that 22 percent of the population is vulnerable to , says Heyman. Forty million people and at least half of all buildings in the U.S. have a mold problem.
Heyman goes on to say that people frequently overlook black mold, partly because it often shows up in hard-to-reach places, like ventilation systems in commercial buildings or apartment complexes.
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Can Mold Grow In Your Lungs
The mold spores can colonize inside lung cavities that developed as a result of chronic diseases, such tuberculosis, emphysema, or advanced sarcoidosis. The fibers of fungus might form a lump by combining with white blood cells and blood clots. This lump or ball of fungus is called an aspergilloma or mycetoma.
How Can You Be Exposed To Black Mold
You can be exposed to black mold, or any species of mold, by breathing in microscopic mold particles in the air, or through consumption of food that contains it.
Stachybotrys is unique because its spores are sticky and easily adhere to a surface when the mold colony dries. They are not regularly found in the air unless the mold colony has been disturbed. Though its spores are not readily airborne, black mold can produce other harmful contaminants more easily found in the air .
A disruption to a black mold colony can be as simple as slamming a door, opening a window or knocking into contaminated furniture. More force is required for Stachybotrys spores to become airborne, as compared to other commonly found indoor molds .
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Is Your Home Mold Toxic
Mold loves moisture. Flooding poses a significant risk for mold growth. Landscaping that slopes toward a building instead of away from it encourages water intrusion.
Something as common as a leaky roof, faucet, or dishwasher also invites mold growth. Damp basements and window condensation can also be a haven for mold.
But, how do you know for sure if you have a mold problem?
Often, you can see or smell mold but not always. You may also see areas that have visible water damage. This is a red flag for possible mold growth.
If you suspect you have a mold problem, you can start with a few simple tests yourself. Certified mold inspectors are also available but vary in quality. Heres a closer look at these options:
Regardless of how you identify a mold problem, getting rid of it is essential for your health.
For Help With Mold Removal
If youre experiencing mold-related health problems, we recommend hiring someone to handle the mold removal for you. The process of cleaning up mold stirs up mold spores and exposes you to more of the substance that is making you ill. It can cause your condition to worsen. Even if youre thinking of handling the job yourself, though, you can schedule a free in-home consultation with an experienced mold removal professional for some expert advice. Just follow this link to find qualified professionals offering free consultations in your area.
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Basement Ventilation Systems Vs Dehumidifiers
If you already have a dehumidifier in your basement, then you may be wondering if you still need a ventilation system.
The answer is yes.
A basement dehumidifier is an excellent idea as it removes excess moisture from the air, and thus bringing the relative humidity down, thereby making it impossible for mold to thrive.
However, it doesnt do anything in terms of cleaning the actual air or diluting it from unpleasant odors, mold spores, radon gas, or other impurities.
On the other hand, using an air exchange system in conjunction with a dehumidifier works very well, because new clean and dry air gets introduced to the basement regularly. Not only does this dilute and expel air contaminants, but it also costs a lot less for your dehumidifier to dehumidify dry air than it does moist air.
Black Mold Is Toxigenic
Certain molds prove toxigenic, which means that they produce mycotoxins that cause ill health effects. A little mold is everywhere, but not all mold is poisonous. That doesnt mean you should ignore mold.
Most are familiar with black mold, which is toxigenic and produces mold spores. These form colonies and grow with other spores. High concentrations of these mycotoxins can cause mold poisoning in healthy people, too.
Mold poisoning is also known as mycotoxicosis. This condition affects the upper respiratory system with harmful cold or flu-like symptoms. Additional symptoms due to mycotoxins can prove fatal. Thats especially true for those with severe allergies, asthma or other conditions.
Green-black mold is also harmful. Its found on paper, dust, lint, fiberboard and other low-nitrogen content materials. It can develop and spread after water leaks, floods and condensation.
Until you know more, treat all molds the same due to the potential long-term side effects and health risks. Take mold growth seriously. You will usually see the mold colony and smell the signature musty smell.
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When Should You Test Your Home For Mold Exposure
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , if visible mold is present on inspection, testing is usually unnecessary. There are no Environmental Protection Agency or government standards that have been established for mold or mold spore levels, so it is impossible to prove that a building or room complies with any health regulations concerning mold exposure. Likewise, the CDC does not recommend routine sampling and testing of mold in the home. Health officials haven’t defined tolerable or acceptable limits of mold exposure for humans, and since individuals vary in their susceptibility to mold, testing cannot reliably predict the degree of health risks from any occurrence of mold.
When mold has previously been identified and cleanup procedures have been undertaken, sampling and testing may be carried out if necessary by qualified professionals to determine that adequate cleaning of a building has occurred.
Tjernlund X2d Reversible Basement Fans
The Tjernlund X2D has two 90 CFM fans that pumps not only clean, fresh air into basements and crawlspaces, but also extracts hot, musty radon and mold spore air.
The two fans can work together in tandem , or they can work separately .
Another great feature is its built-in humidistat, which continually monitors the humidity level of your basement. You can set the ventilation system to activate itself as soon as the humidity reaches a certain point.
Leaving it permanently on is not a problem either since it only uses a mere 40 watts of electricity compared to the 1,000 watts a dehumidifier uses.
The product, which is manufactured in the USA, has dimensions of 22.9 x 16.6 x 9.2 inches and weighs around 1 lb.
Get the latest price from .
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Is It Brain Fog Head Trauma Dementia Insanity Or Mold Exposure
Most practitioners do not consider mold exposure as a possible causative factor in their patients cognitive/emotional related illness causing symptoms of an intoxicated brain. Even though 1/2 the buildings in the United States are thought to be water-damaged, and 24% of the population is sensitive to mold, the possibility of mold being the cause of their patients symptoms does not usually come up in most practitioners minds.
This has to change and I will show you why. Here is a list of the cognitive, or mental symptoms that most “mycotoxin sensitive” individuals will present with if they are reacting to a moldy water-damaged building.
