Can Mold And Mildew Cause Headaches

Black Mold Health Effects

Exposure to black molds will trigger a variety of reactions among many people. One of the most common symptoms, as mentioned above, is sudden, chronic headaches and even migraines. However, toxic mold headaches are just one of the black mold health effects.

Some of the worst black mold health effects include aggravating existing upper respiratory tract conditions. For those who suffer breathing issues of any kind, black mold is especially worrisome. Mold can also cause nausea, general sickness, tiredness, irritation of the mucous membranes, adverse impacts on immune system, and even mental impairment/fogginess. Exposure to black molds can also trigger skin inflammation and allergy in some people.

Some extreme cases of toxic black mold exposure have resulted in death. Black mold is not something to take lightly. Health effects differ among people, so its imperative to remove the black molds immediately.

Here Are Some Of The Common Symptoms I See In My Patients:

• GENERAL: insomnia, fatigue, hair loss, weight gain or loss, sweet cravings, light sensitivity, poor depth perception, memory loss, intolerant of fragrances and chemicals, nose bleeds

• NEUROLOGIC: headaches of all types, including icepick headaches, brain fog, numbness, tingling, weakness, tremor, nerve pain, dizziness

• MUSCULOSKELETAL: joint and muscle pain, muscle cramps, general weakness, tics, muscle twitches

• PSYCHIATRIC: anxiety, depression, OCD, short fuse

• SKIN: rashes and pruritus

• IMMUNE SYSTEM: recurrent infections, autoimmunity, allergy, asthma

• GASTROINTESTINAL: nausea, bloating, pain, vomiting, diarrhea

• URINARY: urgency and incontinence

• HORMONAL: continuous dehydration , night sweats, poor temperature regulation

What about mold makes it dangerous to our health?

I dont want to minimize the danger mold allergy has on the respiratory system: Allergies and asthma can significantly impact quality of life, and can be deadly.

Mold toxicity, specifically, can have big health consequences, because of the kind of toxins molds make as their biological byproducts. These toxins fall into two main categories: mycotoxins or microbial volatile organic compounds . The fungal MVOCs, produced as mixtures of alcohols, aldehydes, acids, ethers, esters, ketones, terpenes, thiols, and their derivatives, are responsible for the characteristic moldy odors sometimes associated with damp indoor spaces. Mold toxins range from mildly toxic to extremely potent .

How Can I Be Exposed To Mold

People are exposed to molds every day, usually by touching or breathingthem. Because molds naturally exist outdoors and indoors, living in a totallymold-free environment is practically impossible. As molds grow, spores can bereleased into the air where they can be easily inhaled. People who inhale largenumbers of spores may get sick. Possible health concerns are an importantreason to prevent mold growth and to clean up molds in indoor environments.

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Pains In The Nose And Face

The main reason that mold exposure may cause headaches is because, more often than not, mold spores can irritate the respiratory system and cause problems with the immune system, which can in turn aggravate the sinuses. And anyone who contends with seasonal allergies on a regular basis and/or is hyper-sensitive to changes in barometric pressure will tell you that irritated sinuses can result in a whopping headache.

Sinus headaches usually feel like dull, constant pressure in your cheekbones, your forehead, the bridge of your nose, or your inner ears. In severe cases, folks may almost feel like something is trying to push one of their eyes out of its socketand in very severe cases, a person may feel like their eye popping out would actually be a good thing, because at least then, they might experience some relief from the pressure in their skull!

The good news is that sinus headaches can typically be tamed with an over-the-counter painkiller, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Decongestants like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can help reduce swelling in the nasal passages , too, thus helping to reduce some of the pressure and curbing discomfort at its source.

How Can I Treat Mold & Mildew Allergies

Visit your healthcare provider or an ear, nose, and throat physician if you notice any of the above symptoms of a mildew allergy. Your doctor can work with you to develop a personalized allergy treatment plan that helps alleviate your symptoms. Some of the possible treatments for mold exposure include the following:

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays to eliminate inflammation
• Mold allergy shots to reduce the bodys reaction to the allergen
• Saline nasal rinses to clear your nasal passageway of allergens
• Antihistamines to reduce itchiness, running nose, and sneezing

Additionally, the following preventative measures can be taken to avoid mold and mildew exposure:

• Ensure your bathroom has proper airflow and ventilation
• Change your air filters as needed
• Do not place carpeting in bathrooms and basements
• Use an air conditioner
• Consider installing a high-efficiency particulate air filtration system
• Clean any areas that are damp
• Use a dehumidifier as needed
• Use proper outdoor drainage to move water away from your home

If you are suffering from mold and mildew reactions, the first step is to consult with a sleep health expert. Ear, nose, and throat specialists at eos sleep have extensive experience in treating ear, nose, and throat conditions as well as sleep-related problems. Call today or fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment or to learn more about eos sleep treatment options.

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How Do Doctors Diagnose Mold Allergy

To diagnose an allergy to mold or fungi, the doctor will take a complete medical history. If they suspect a mold allergy, the doctor often will do skin tests or allergen specific IgE blood tests. Extracts of different types of fungi may be used to scratch or prick the skin. If there is no reaction, then you probably dont have an allergy. The doctor uses the patient’s medical history, the skin testing results and the physical exam to diagnose a mold allergy.

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How To Prevent Mold

Controlling moisture is the key to preventing mold from growing in your home. The following tips will help stop mold from becoming a problem:

• Keep the humidity in your house below 50%. Using an air conditioner or dehumidifier can help with this.
• Make sure your house is clean, dry, and well-ventilated.
• Fix any water leaks immediately.
• Use ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathrooms.
• Don’t put carpet in rooms that are likely to become wet such as the basement, kitchen, or bathrooms.
• Make sure wet floor mats are dried quickly.

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How Common Is Mold In Buildings

Mold is very common in homes and buildings.

One 2017 study found mold in every public building studied, with an average of about 14 instances of mold per building.

Another involving 31 European countries found mold in 1 in 6 homes. The author noted that the prevalence of mold may vary greatly depending on the regional climate.

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What Is A Mold Allergy

If you have an allergy that occurs over several seasons, you may be allergic to the spores of molds or other fungi. Molds live everywhere. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air.

Mold and mildew are fungi. They are different from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The seeds, called spores, travel through the air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather. Others spread with the fog or dew when humidity is high.

Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to early fall. But fungi grow in many places, both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year round.

Although there are many types of molds, only a few dozen cause allergic reactions. Many molds grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, in compost piles and on grasses and grains. Unlike pollens, molds do not die with the first killing frost. Most outdoor molds become inactive during the winter. In the spring they grow on plants killed by the cold. Indoors, fungi grow in damp areas. They can often be found in the bathroom, kitchen or basement.

Look For Mold And Moist Areas

Constantly check the basement, crawl areas, moist structure around the house, after that aim to the attic and moist rafters, moist insulation and any indicators of formerly moist areas. One way to identify the moldy location is to discover if you begin really feeling bad while in it. Make a note and attempt again a few days later. If you really feel even worse again, after that start trying to find your water source.

Now, just quit the moisture. You could need to wrap pipelines, repair roofing, stretch the gutter system downspouts away from your home, tidy the sump pump pit, bleach the wall surfaces and etc. It can be a quite engaged procedure. However, the end result is fewer migraine headaches.

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Is There Mold In My House

If you or your doctor suspect that mold may be contributing to your chronic sinusitis, it is possible that the source of the mold is inside your home. Target the following areas when inspecting or cleaning your house for mold:

• Carpeting
• Behind appliances connected to plumbing
• Leaky roofs
• Basements and other areas with high humidity

Mildew and Mold are often present in drying laundry

A common misconception related to mold in the house concerns the belief that those who live in a newly built house are not at risk for mold allergens. This is untrue. During the construction of a house, the foundation is often exposed to rain and humidity, hotbeds for mold and mildew. If you suspect your house contains mold and your sinuses are being affected, buy a gravity plate testing kit, the most common option for homeowners. A gravity plate test helps detect hidden mold present in cabinetry, crawl spaces, closets, furniture and ductwork.

You can pick up a mold detection kit either online, or at your local hardware store. Mold detection kits are also available for air sampling and moisture. For those who prefer to leave the mold to the experts, a quick Google search for mold control companies will turn up the professionals located in your area.

Can Mold Cause Bladder Problems

4.2/5molds cancause symptomsurinarycausediseaseurinary

Similarly, it is asked, what are the symptoms of mold exposure?

If they come into contact with mold, they may experience symptoms, such as:

• a runny or blocked nose.
• watery, red eyes.
• sinusitis.
• wheezing.

Also Know, can mold cause neurological problems? Human exposure to molds, mycotoxins, and water-damaged buildings can cause neurologic and neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms.

Secondly, can black mold cause bladder cancer?

There is no evidence linking indoor exposure to black mold or any other type of mold with cancer. Mold is associated with other health problems, though. In high concentrations, or with long-term exposure, mold can aggravate allergies and asthma, and cause upper respiratory symptoms.

Can Candida cause urinary problems?

Yeast infections occur due to an overgrowth of the Candida fungus, while UTIs result from bacterial infections in the urinary tract. Yeast infections cause itching, pain, and odorless vaginal discharge. UTIs, on the other hand, cause urinary symptoms, such as a frequent urge to urinate and painful urination.

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How Long Does It Take For Black Mold To Kill You

Black mold, or Stachybotrys atra, has a reputation for being fatal. This is due to reports that black mold was related to infant deaths in the 1990s. Its also been linked to the idea of sick building syndrome and is often called toxic black mold.

But theres no solid evidence proving that black mold is toxic. Black mold, and mold in general, is not deadly.

Still, black mold can cause unwanted side effects, especially those in people who are sensitive to mold. This includes people who are young, old, or have compromised immune systems.

Visit a doctor if you have:

• persistent sinus and nasal congestion
• frequent headaches
• unexplained skin irritation
• more frequent asthma attacks

Sometimes, it can be difficult to know if mold is causing your symptoms. Many side effects of mold exposure are similar to other conditions, like seasonal allergies. Some symptoms also take time to appear.

Your best bet is to see a doctor, even if youre unsure your symptoms are related to mold. They can help you find relief.

The best way to treat mold exposure symptoms is to reduce exposure. Follow these tips:

• Avoid contact with moldy items or surfaces.
• Avoid damp rooms, like basements.
• Remove mold from the home by cleaning surfaces and drying damp areas.
• Increase ventilation by using a fan or opening windows.
• Reduce indoor humidity with a dehumidifier.

The length of time it takes for mold to leave your body will depend on your level of previous exposure.

• a musty, earthy odor

Mold Toxicity Symptoms In Humans

Some of the most common symptoms of mold toxicity in humans include headaches, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, skin rashes and irritations, and respiratory problems. Mold toxicity occurs when a person is exposed to mold spores or toxins produced by mold. Mold exposure can happen through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Once the mold spores or toxins enter the body, they can start to cause health problems. Symptoms of mold toxicity depend on the type of mold and the persons individual susceptibility but can range from mild to severe.

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Black Mold And Toxicity

When you read about molds, you may definitely want to know about black mold, as it is frequently singled out as the biggest culprit. Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold is a greenish-black mold. It was thought to be the reason behind a lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis among infants living in a water-damaged environment in Cleveland, Ohio. However, there is not much research to prove the association between acute pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis in infants and exposure to molds, specifically stachybotrys chartarum.15 The guidelines from federal organizations suggest that mold growth, regardless of the type, should be controlled in an appropriate manner.16

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

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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How Do You Know If Mold Is Making You Sick

Are you sick and suspect it might be from mold?

Determining whether exposure to mold is making you sick isnt always easy.

Each persons body is affected by mold toxicity in different ways. Some experience constant migraines and headaches, shortness of breath, brain fog, fatigue or even depression.

Since symptoms differ from person to person, they may not be quickly associated with mold exposure. Many people suffering from mold illness struggle to get a proper diagnosis and investigation.

Its common to think my house is clean it cant be mold! However, mold comes in many forms. In this article, well share what toxic mold is, the signs and symptoms, and how it can be treated.

How To Prevent Mold Exposure

Denying them a place to grow is an important step in preventing mold. And for that, you need to control the moisture inside your home. You should make sure that your home and the workplace is free of visible mold growth or strong moldy odor. Here are a few tips for that.18

• Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep the humidity level low.
• Make sure that your floor and wall are dry after flooding.
• Fix water problems such as roof leaks and plumbing leaks.
• Provide enough ventilation for your house.
• Use mold-killing products while cleaning bathrooms.
• If absorbent materials like carpet become moldy, they should be removed.
• Cleaning frequently keeps mold to a minimum.
• Do not paint moldy surfaces without cleaning up the mold and drying the surface.19

Cleaning up the mold in your home is the first thing you should do. These are a few ways to do it:

• Remove mold growth from hard surfaces using soap and water.
• You can also use a bleach solution.
• Take less than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water to remove the mold. Remember, never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners as it produces toxic fumes.20
• Make sure that the windows and doors are open while you use bleach.
• Also, wear protective gloves and eye mask.

If you are worried about mold exposure from your workplace and the symptoms associated with it, you should consult an occupational health clinic.

References

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Mold Allergies Asthma And Other Respiratory Symptoms

Whether you already experience allergy symptoms or not, touching or inhaling mold spores may cause you to become allergic to mold. If you are sensitized to mold as an allergen, exposure may cause a range of allergy symptoms, including sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, and eye, nose and throat irritation, according to the CDC. However, you do not need to be sensitized to mold for it to cause medical symptoms.

Exposure to mold and damp indoor environments has been linked to a wide range of health effects. According to the Institute of Medicine , both mold and damp indoor environments have been found to cause coughing, wheezing and other respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals. Those with asthma may experience more severe asthma symptoms when exposed to mold or indoor dampness, including tightness, swelling and mucus in the airways. The CDC also notes that workplace exposure to mold in damp buildings has been associated with new-onset asthma.