Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Can Living With Mold Make You Sick

What Causes Mold To Grow Indoors

My Apartment Made Me Sick from Mold Infestation / Mr. Mold Testimonial

The conditions present in your home can play a critical role in the formation of mold in your indoor environment, with certain ideal conditions causing mold growth. Moisture is usually the most important condition that needs to be present in the environment since mold cannot grow without moisture in the environment. Additionally, mold will require a food source such as wood, drywall, or cotton to feed on in the environment, darkness to minimize exposure to ultraviolet light, warmer temperatures, oxygen, and time to thoroughly grow and spread within the environment. When all of these conditions are met in an indoor environment like your home, mold will flourish and grow rapidly which can leave for major problems to both your indoor air quality and to the health of those exposed to this mold growth.

Other issues in a home can also promote the growth of mold indoors, these can be normal occurrences in the home that will unknowingly advance mold that is developing in the area. Elevated levels of humidity indoors have been correlated with the growth of mold, as mold feeds off of high humidity levels in the air. Also, poor ventilation will aid in the progression of mold growth indoors since it will create pockets of moist air in the environment for mold to thrive.

Mold Problems in House

How Do You Test For Toxic Mold Exposure

All in all, there is no simple way to diagnose mycotoxin illness, says McElroy. But testing is typically the first step. She prefers to start patients with at-home tests and also recommends a home inspection by a certified mold inspector. should only be ordered, in my opinion, once the environment is evaluated for the source of mold, explains McElroy. The most direct way to test for mold toxicity is a urine test that measures for metabolites of mold and mycotoxins as well as glutathione levels . That said, as McElroy explains, I never place the entire diagnosis of mycotoxin illness on tests alone. Why? Because mold tests have some major drawbacks, including:

  • False negatives and false positives are common
  • They are not covered by insurance
  • You cant test all toxins there are hundreds
  • The levels found on tests dont necessarily correlate with the severity of symptoms

These tests clearly arent perfect. In fact, McElroy says she has seen patients who were really sick have almost nothing show up on the test while the healthy spouses of those same patients register values off the charts, so having a clinician thats willing and able to do some extra investigation into symptoms of mold and toxic mold exposure is key.

Different Types Of Mold

Allergenic Molds. Allergenic molds are on the low end of the danger scale. They only cause problems for those with asthma and a predisposed allergy to the specific mold. Children are more likely to have mold allergies than adults.

Pathogenic Molds. Pathogenic molds will cause some infection. This is a big problem for those with a suppressed immune system. An acute response resembling bacterial pneumonia is commonly found with those exposed to these types of mold.

Toxigenic Molds. As the name implies, these molds produce mycotoxins that can cause serious health effects. They have been tied to immunosuppression and cancer. The toxic chemicals found in these types of molds can be absorbed into the body when one inhales them, eats them, or even touches them.

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Testing For Mould In Your Home

Where mould is visible, it is generally not considered necessary to test for it in the home. However, not all mould is visible, as contamination may be in cavities or the ceiling. Generally, if you can see or smell mould, you need to clean up and remove the mould immediately, as mould can damage surfaces it grows on.

If you suspect mould contamination but cannot find the source of the problem, or if you have already taken measures to prevent mould from growing and you are still having problems, you could employ an occupational hygienist or environmental health and safety professional. For a fee, these professionals can provide specialist mould testing and consultancy services.

Prevent Mold From Growing Back

Living With Mold Mycotoxins and MTHFR
  • Use dehumidifiers in damp areas, such as the basement
  • Fix leaks in the roof, walls, windows, or pipes
  • Ventilate bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas
  • Vent clothes dryer to the outside
  • Use mold-resistant paint
  • Dry areas that are wet or have been flooded within 24 to 48 hours, throw out anything that cannot be completely dried

Also Check: What Does Mold Poisoning Look Like

What Temperature Should I Keep My House When Sick

If youre sick, the last thing you want is to make your condition worse by sitting in a cold house. But whats the best temperature to keep your home when youre under the weather?The general consensus is that its best to keep your home on the warmer side when youre sick. A study published in the journal Nature found that viruses thrive in lower temperatures, so keeping your home warm can help fight off infection.Theres no need to crank up the heat, though. Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature should be sufficient. And if youre worried about running up your energy bill, consider using a space heater to target specific areas rather than heating your entire home.

Why Are Mold Issues Difficult To Diagnose

Conventional medicine recognizes that mold can cause allergies but does not recognize that mycotoxins emitted by some species of indoor mold can cause a problem, says McElroy. This means that doctors unfamiliar with mold and mold treatment may miss one of the main types of mold reactionsthe chemical and inflammatory reaction. This is for a few reasons:

  • There is no gold standard in testing for mold
  • There is no standardized treatment protocol or drug for mold toxicity
  • There are very limited human-based studies looking at the connection between mycotoxins and human health
  • The presentation of mold issues is very different among patients
  • Not everyone exposed to mold mycotoxins will have a reaction to them

Its no wonder mold illness can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, holistic medicine providers consider environmental factors that affect health when evaluating patients and may have additional advanced training in treating mold toxicity.

According to McElroy, one of the biggest challenges with mold is that mycotoxins can cause only some people to launch an inflammatory response. This unpredictable response can go on for years after a long-term exposure in a susceptible individual, she explains.

Also Check: Is Mold In Home Dangerous

How Do You Get The Molds Out Of Buildings Including Homes Schools And Places Of Employment

Mold growing in homes and buildings indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is the first problem to address.

Remove moldy items from living areas. Once mold starts to grow in carpet, insulation, ceiling tiles, drywall, or wallboard, the only way to deal with the problem is by removal and replacement.

It is important to properly clean and dry the area as you can still have an allergic reaction to parts of the dead mold and mold contamination may recur if there is still a source of moisture.

Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly.

Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly after any flooding. Dig out mud and dirt. Use a wet vacuum to remove remaining dirt. Scrub cleanable surfaces with soapy water and a bristle brush. Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with water and dish detergent. Dry surfaces quickly and thoroughly after cleaning. If you have a fan, air conditioner or dehumidifier that wasnt affected by flooding use it to help the surfaces dry after you finish cleaning

Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water to kill mold on surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners.

If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:

Healthy Home Products10 Photos

9 Signs You Have Toxic Mold In Your Home

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Toxic mold is formed by volatile organic compounds that are, in turn, formed by the production of mold spores. These toxins can be extremely dangerous to humans and may even begin to affect the nervous system and the respiratory system.

Some of the symptoms associated with mold poisoning include nausea, hives, asthma, runny nose, chronic coughing, rapid or labored breathing and skin rashes. More extreme symptoms that can result from mold poisoning are lethargy, dizziness, memory loss and even infertility in a person who has been exposed to toxic mold for a prolonged period of time.

If you suspect toxic mold is a problem in your home, then it is necessary to not only eradicate the infestation, but see a health specialist for any symptoms that appear to be the result of mold poisoning.

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Bottom Line: If Mold Is Making You Sick Do Something About It

If you suspect mold is making you sick, remove it regardless of the type thats growing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends not testing for it, but instead immediately taking the steps to mitigate and remove. The experts at Rapid Restoration can remove and mitigate any growth, including black mold. today to request an estimate.

Also Check: How To Prevent Mold And Mildew In House

Can Mold Make You Sick Mold Sickness And Removing Mold At Home

While I was finishing undergrad, I rented a small, two-bedroom home in a sleepy neighborhood of both students and families who all lived in similar houses: 40s construction retrofitted with additional rooms, gravel driveways, and weathered wooden decks badly in need of staining.

I liked my quiet street and little house, and I adjusted to its myriad quirksa few dud outlets, a sticky front dooruntil the particularly wet spring of that year.

The house had no gutters in fact, it had no drainage system at all. With the onset of heavy spring showers in already-humid Georgia and without a system in place to direct water away from the roof and walls, I began to notice splotches of dark mold creep along the edges of the living room ceiling.

If youve been in a similar situation, you understand the dread that comes with spotting mold in your home. Most people have a natural aversion to mold in anything other than French cheese, and for good reason: mold is ugly, odorous, hard to get rid of, and can cause structural damage if left unaddressed.

Mold can also have negative, sometimes serious effects on your healthoften without your knowledge.

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Whether youre dealing with a known mold problem or you suspect youre susceptible to mold sickness, keep reading to learn more about this insidious invader and how to keep it out of your home.

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Five Of The Most Common Indoor Molds

  • Alternaria: Commonly found in your nose, mouth, and upper respiratory tract can cause allergic responses.
  • Aspergillus: Usually found in warm, extremely damp climates, and a common occupant of house dust produces mycotoxins can cause lung infections.
  • Cladosporium: This very common outdoor fungus can find its way indoors to grow on textiles, wood, and other damp, porous materials triggers hay fever and asthma symptoms.
  • Penicillium: Very common species found on wallpaper, decaying fabrics, carpet, and fiberglass duct insulation known for causing allergies and asthma some species produce mycotoxins, one being the common antibiotic penicillin.
  • Stachybotrys: Extremely toxic black mold that produces mycotoxins that can cause serious breathing difficulties and bleeding of the lungs, among other health problems. Thankfully, less common in homes than the other four, but not rare found on wood or paper , but NOT on concrete, linoleum or tile.
  • Mold illness is the variety of health problems that can occur from any type of mold exposure. Although a mold allergy is the most common problem caused by exposure to mold, mold can cause illness without an allergic reaction. Mold can also cause infections or irritants and toxic reactions. Infections caused by mold can lead to a variety of problems from flu-like symptoms to skin infections and even pneumonia.

    Mold Toxicity Is Also An Issue And It Is Considered A Chronic Inflammatory Response

    17 Best Is toxic mold making you sick? images

    An acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, and Mycobacterium serve as inflammogens! Inflammogens keep your body in a state of inflammation.

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    You Feel Like You Have A Lingering Cold Or Are Battling Flu

    âIt is pretty tough to detect until it starts coming through the walls because mold, as you know, is a problem with some sort of leak somewhere,â Hayes-Raitt said. âSo the problem starts behind the walls. But if youâre getting sick, it might be because of a mold problem.â

    If youâre dealing with symptoms that you canât exactly pinpoint, it could be that youâre stressed, havenât been taking care of yourself, or wound up with some sort of virus, of course, but it could also potentially be that youâre dealing with mold.

    If possible, Hayes-Raitt said that one of the best ways to determine if the sickness you feel is related to the house or not is to leave for a few days and then return home. If you feel those same symptoms coming on again, it might be the result of something more than a cold or virus.

    How To Check For Mold In A House

    If you suspect a mold source in your home the first thing you will want to do is test/check for mold in your environment. Even if you do not suspect mold inside your home, you should still do a simple test to ensure mold growth is not occurring in your home, particularly if you are experiencing unexplainable symptoms.

    Mold toxicity can be a devious stealer of health. When checking for mold growth you should look for these three characteristics mold growth, moisture/water leaks, and health symptoms.

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    Mold Toxicity Vs Mold Allergies

    Often times confusion surrounds the different mold illnesses, specifically mold toxicity and mold allergies. These two separate illnesses illicit different reactions in the body and can affect a person differently.

    Mold allergies are caused by mold spores that become inhaled and stimulate symptoms similar to those of hay fever . Mold toxicity, in comparison to mold allergies, is caused by the volatile toxic vapors that are dispersed by mold that in turn elicits a chronic inflammatory response.

    Diagnosing this condition is very hard, especially for medical professionals who often misdiagnose it because of the wide variation of possible symptoms. The first step in diagnosing mold toxicity or even mold allergies is identifying mold within your environment, particularly in your home.

    Causes Of Damp And Mould

    Never Eat The Clean Part Of Moldy Bread

    Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture. Moisture in buildings can be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames.

    A newly built home may be damp if the water used when building it is still drying out for example, in the plaster on the walls. Excess moisture indoors can also be caused by condensation.

    If you have mould or damp it’s important to find out why you have excess moisture in your home. When you know what’s causing the damp, you can make sure your home is repaired or take steps to limit the moisture in the air. You may need to get a professional to remove mould for you, but if it’s only a small amount you may be able to remove it yourself.

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    Symptoms Of Mold Sickness

    Studies by organizations such as the National Academy of Medicine and the World Health Organization link mold exposure to respiratory illness, lung diseases, and the development of asthma in children. The CDC describes the following symptoms related to mold exposure:

    • Nasal stuffiness
    • Shortness of breath

    Some medical professionals offer a longer list of mold exposure symptoms, which they attribute to predisposed sensitivity and airborne contaminants, including mold spores, present in water-damaged buildings.

    Its important to note that sensitivity to mold does vary among individuals. Those with mold allergies, chronic lung illness, or hypersensitivity suffer severer versions of these and related symptoms, while others are less affected.

    Thankfully, I belong to the second group. During the several months I battled with mold in my little rented house, the only negative reaction I experienced was frustration. My college boyfriend, Cole, was not so lucky.

    Cole had crashed at a buddys place for a few months in a spare room with mold on the ceilings that neither of them addressed or took very seriously as a health hazard. During that time, Cole, who has no known mold allergies, suffered constant cold-like symptoms: fatigue, sinus congestion, and coughing to the point of coughing up blood.

    When he moved into a new apartment, the symptoms stopped. And while I was dealing with my mold problem, he couldnt visit without getting a headache and an itch in his throat.

    Can Sleeping In A Cold House Make You Sick

    There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of individual factors. However, sleeping in a cold house can potentially make you sick, especially if you already have a medical condition that makes you susceptible to illness. Some research has suggested that sleeping in colder temperatures can help improve your immune system function, but this is not conclusive. Ultimately, it is important to be comfortable when you sleep and to dress appropriately for the temperature. If you are concerned about getting sick from sleeping in a cold house, talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk.

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