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Can Mold Cause Skin Problems

What Are The Signs Of A Mold Illness

Can Shower Mold/Bacteria Cause Acne, Folliculitis and Other Skin Infections?

Individuals suffering from mold illness often exhibit signs in their digestive health: Some common symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain and a lack of appetite. Mold illness could lead to serious respiratory complications in fact, one of the most common signs of the condition is difficulty breathing.

Can mold exposure cause a rashPeople who are allergic to mold can develop a rash on their skin and experience other general symptoms of an allergic reaction. If you suspect you have a mold allergy, its a good idea to.

What Can I Do To Heal My Gut After Mold Exposure

Healing your gut is an important step in eliminating mycotoxins from your body to reverse the root cause of your chronic condition. You can work to heal your gut by:

  • Avoiding water-damaged buildings
  • Cutting moldy foods from your diet
  • Binding mycotoxins circulating through your system
  • Repairing the intestinal barrier
  • Restoring a healthy microbiome
  • Before you begin a detox and healing protocol, however, its critical you address the source of your exposure to toxic mold. You may even have to move out of your home or work from a different location for a time if mold caused by water damage needs to be remediated. This is called avoidance. Some people can overcome mold-induced illness by practicing extreme avoidance alone.

    Avoiding Mold In Your Diet to Heal Your Gut

    Avoiding mold in your diet as well as your environment will help eliminate continued exposure to mycotoxins. The best approach is an anti-inflammatory, low-mold diet, reducing the number of inflammatory agents and mycotoxins entering your gut. While there is a science to adopting a low-mold diet, general guidelines include avoidance of all foods that worsen your symptoms.

    If you havent made a correlation between what you eat and an increase in your stomach problems, start by eliminating these inflammatory and mold-prone foods from your diet:

  • Sugar: Avoid sugar of all kinds, especially refined sugar, as well as dried and high-sugar fresh fruits such as bananas.
  • How Fast Do Molds Grow

    Moisture behind baseboards and cabinets, wet carpet tack strips, in crawl spaces and attics, basements, and other hard to reach areas are a ticking mold time bomb. Once enough moisture is present, molds can begin to grow in less than 48 hours! Even with fans going and mopping up the water, it may not be enough to prevent mold growth.

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    Medications For A Mold

    If you believe your rash is from an allergic reaction, it is likely that a doctor or nurse will likely recommend over-the-counter remedies such as:

    • Antihistamines
    • Cortisone cream
    • Moisturizers

    If your rash is more severe, it could require antibiotics, in which case you would need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider such as a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

    You also might be able to treat a mild mold-related skin rash with other topical cures such as:

    • Aloe vera
    • Oatmeal baths
    • Cold compress

    If your rash worsens, stop applying anything you have been using, and consider seeking medical advice.

    Complications From A Skin Rash Caused By Mold

    Can Mold Cause Hives

    As mentioned earlier, a rash from mold can be very itchy and its hard not to scratch. Excessive scratching often breaks the skin and then infection can set in. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, and warmth to the touch in the affected area, increasing levels of pain, discharge from wound , and a fever. Usually some oral antibiotics will clear up an infection of this sort but in some cases, the infection is too severe or doesnt respond to the oral antibiotics, and then more intensive treatment, such as hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics, is required. See your doctor as soon as possible if you develop signs of infection after scratching a rash.

    Someone recovering from a severe infection of a rash from mold should absolutely recover in a mold-free environment. Exposure to mold during the recovery process will only cause more rash and itching, and with your immune system depressed from dealing with the infection, youll be less able to fight off the harmful effects of mold.

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    So What Is A Mycotoxin

    Mycotoxins, literally fungus poison in Latin, are secondary metabolites that can be produced by molds, and are not living organisms. Mycotoxins are a byproduct of mold. Not all mold spores produce mycotoxins, but some do. So the molds that produce mycotoxins are the ones that could be categorized as toxic or poisonous.

    So, where is the line between an allergic mold and a toxic mold? That line is defined by the presence of mycotoxins, and is NOT defined by color. Mycotoxins are invisible and cannot be detected just by looking at the mold growth.

    What Are The Symptoms Of A Mold Allergy

    The symptoms of mold allergy are very similar to the symptoms of other allergies, such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion and dry, scaling skin.

    • Outdoor molds may cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall
    • Indoor molds may cause allergy symptoms year-round

    Mold spores get into your nose and cause hay fever symptoms. They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma. A chemical released by allergy cells in the nose and or lungs causes the symptoms. Sometimes the reaction happens right away. Sometimes a mold allergy can cause delayed symptoms, leading to nasal congestion or worsening asthma over time. Symptoms often get worse in a damp or moldy room like a basement. This may mean you have a mold allergy.

    Rarely, some patients can have a more serious illness called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In this condition, there is both an allergic and an inflammatory response to the mold. Symptoms may include severe wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, much like asthma.

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    Repairing The Intestinal Barrier And Restoring A Healthy Microbiome

    Repairing the intestinal barrier and restoring a healthy microbiome include the steps above. Eliminating incoming toxins while cleaning up the toxic load you already carry within your GI system are precursors to adding anything that supports healing. Once youve addressed environment, diet, and binding, however, you can begin to add supportive agents including:

    • Butyrate: reduces mucosal inflammation, and reinforces the intestinal barrier9
    • Zinc carnosine: stabilizes the gut mucosa10
    • Glutamine: Reverses and protects intestinal wall damage
    • Colostrum: Repairs damaged intestinal wall cells
    • Digestive Enzymes: Assists with fully digesting foods
    • Quercetin: Enhances function of the intestinal barrier
    • Probiotics: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii , Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium species replenish healthy bacteria
    • Herbs that help heal the gut include: marshmallow, ginger, chamomile

    Consuming low-mold, anti-inflammatory foods and supplementing with a combination of these products will help support your immune system, repair damage to your intestinal walls, and restore the bacterial balance to your microbiome. Your body will be better suited to take on any residual mycotoxins circulating through your system as well as handle any new toxins from reexposure.

    The Effect Of Mycotoxins On The Microbiome

    Breathing Mold Can Cause Health Issues

    A healthy microbiome can protect the body by binding and metabolizing mycotoxins. But too many mycotoxins alter the proliferation and balance of the gut microbiota.

    Intestinal dysbiosis contributes to the leaky gut cycle and allows gut pathogens to take over as beneficial bacteria are eliminated. As a result, the digestive system is less equipped to handle the continued exposure to incoming mycotoxins, producing a buildup in the gut.

    This accumulation produces symptoms such as yeast overgrowth/candida infection, food sensitivities, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth .

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    Rashes From Mold And 5 Other Surprising Symptoms Of Mold Poisoning

    Last Updated on March 4, 2020 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba

    That aggravating rash seems to come and go, so you think about changing bath soap or laundry detergent. The kids blow their runny noses and rub their itchy eyes, but you blame the high pollen count. Its easy to mistake mold symptoms in adults and children as simple allergies.

    Are you overlooking possible toxic mold rashes or signs of mold poisoning? What does mold do to your body?

    Can mold cause hives? If youre dealing with existing health problems, mold exposure can result in hives. You should always see your doctor immediately for any unusual skin outbreaks.

    For most of us, eliminating mold allergies starts with eliminating the mold. However, even low-level mold exposure can result in serious health problems for individuals with compromised immune systems.

    How Is Mold To Blame For My Stomach Paini Didnt Eat It

    Youre sure you havent eaten mold, so youre probably wondering how it could cause your chronic stomach problems. Unfortunately, 25% of harvested crops test positive for mycotoxin contamination each year1. While toxic levels are typically low enough that your body can flush them out with little impact, what you eat and how you wash, store, and prepare your food is still important, even if mold is not visible.

    In addition to food sources, mycotoxin exposure can occur through inhalation and dermal routes, especially when exposed to water damaged buildings. Its thought that many airborne mycotoxins can be ingested once theyre inhaled from the surrounding air, causing intestinal damage. However, there is new research proposing an indirect mechanism that may be more at play where these chemicals actually directly affect immune response genes and transcription factors, and this is what leads to widespread inflammation, leaky membranes, and immune and endocrine dysfunction.2

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    Watery Or Irritated Eyes

    When allergens are present, the body releases histamines as part of its immune response. This histamine release is what causes the eyes to water excessively when exposed to toxins from mold.

    This reaction from histamine may be the bodys way of flushing out allergens and toxins. It can serve as a warning to you that your environment may contain dangerous black mold.

    How Do Molds Affect People

    Morgellons Disease or Morgellon

    Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath.

    In 2004 the Institute of Medicine found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people with asthma symptoms in people with asthma and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.

    In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould pdf iconexternal icon pdf icon. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies.

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    How Can Mold Affect My Health

    Many molds can cause health effects. Molds produce allergens, irritants and,sometimes, toxins that may cause adverse reactions in humans. A reaction tomold depends on how much a person is exposed to, the age of the person and thepersons sensitivities or allergies. The same amount of mold may causehealth effects in one person, but not in another.

    Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who havetouched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions such as arunny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash and itching. Molds can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic tomolds, causing wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. A diseaselike pneumonia may also develop after exposure to mold, but this is uncommon.

    Infectious diseases from molds can occur in people with weakened immunesystems, such as those who are immune-compromised or immune-suppressed fromdrug treatment. Some types of mold are known to cause infections inimmune-compromised people. Such infections can affect the skin, eyes, lungs orother organs. These are considered opportunistic infections that usually do notaffect healthy people.

    Binding Mycotoxins To Heal Your Gut

    The use of binders to remove mycotoxins from the gut is necessary to reverse chronic stomach problems caused by ingestion of toxic mold. Through the process of enterohepatic circulation, mycotoxins are carried from the liver and gallbladder by bile into the small intestine where they are reabsorbed and transported back to the liver, creating a cycle of exposure that causes chronic inflammation and accompanying symptoms.

    Binders are non-absorbable agents that attach or bind to mycotoxins and carry them out of the body. Since binders cannot be reabsorbed and recycled through the GI system, they move captured mycotoxins into the large intestine to be eliminated through the stool. Popular detox binders include:

    • Activated Bamboo or Coconut Charcoal
    • Bentonite and Zeolite Clays
    • Monomethylsilanetriol Silica
    • Saccharomyces boulardii

    Although more research is required, binders likely do not interfere with nutrient absorption. To be safe and maximize effectiveness of meals and medications, use binders one hour before or two hours after you eat or take supplements.

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    What Are The Symptoms Of Aspergillosis

    Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of aspergillosis.

    Pulmonary aspergillosis might not cause any symptoms, especially in the early stages. If the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

    • Coughing, sometimes accompanied by mucus or blood.
    • Bloody cough or massive bleeding from the lungs.

    Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis may cause:

    • Coughing accompanied by mucus or blood.
    • Wheezing or worsening of asthma.
    • Fever.
    • Increased mucus or sputum secretions.
    • Inability to tolerate exercise or asthma brought on by exercise.

    Many patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis already experience respiratory symptoms similar to those caused by an allergic reaction, so it may be difficult to detect ABPA in these situations. Sometimes, a worsening of symptoms such as coughing and wheezing is the only sign that the person is experiencing an allergic reaction.

    If the allergic reaction recurs over time, and the lungs become inflamed repeatedly, damage to the lungs and central airways can occur. Recurrent allergic reactions may cause scarring of lung tissue and widening of the central airways, a condition known as bronchiectasis.

    What Do We Know About Mold Sensitivity

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    The term mold sensitivity is broadly used to refer to any chronic non-allergic response to mold exposure. Mold sensitivity is not understood nearly as well as mold allergies because the condition is associated with an undefined range of symptoms that have no measurable cause. Some people report experiencing a wide array of symptoms that they believe to be caused by mold sensitivity. These symptoms include anxiety, cognitive issues, depression and insomnia, as well as different types of physical pain. Because mold sensitivity cannot be measured, there is no observable link between the condition and its associated symptoms.

    Unfortunately, Western medicine has no answer for those who believe they are affected by mold sensitivity, also referred to as vulnerability to mold toxicity. Unlike mold allergies that can be diagnosed with a skin test or allergen-specific immunoglobulin blood test, there is no test that can diagnose this issue, and there is a lack of scientific research to back up information about the condition. The EPA states that mold-related symptoms other than allergic reactions and irritation by spores are not commonly reported.

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    Exams And Tests For Sporotrichosis

    Other infections can mimic sporotrichosis, so a doctor performs tests to confirm the diagnosis. The tests for sporotrichosis usually involve a biopsy of one of the nodules, followed by an exam of the biopsy sample under a microscope to identify the mold. Other possible infections might include:

    • Noninfectious diseases such as lupus

    Exposure Sources And Prevention

    The primary sources of mold exposure are from the indoor air in buildings with substantial mold growth and the ingestion of food with mold growths.

    While mold and related microbial agents can be found both inside and outside, specific factors can lead to significantly higher levels of these microbes, creating a potential health hazard. Several notable factors are water damage in buildings, the use of building materials which provide a suitable substrate and source of food to amplify mold growth, relative humidity, and energy-efficient building designs, which can prevent proper circulation of outside air and create a unique ecology in the built environment. A common issue with mold hazards in the household can be the placement of furniture, resulting in a lack of ventilation of the nearby wall. The simplest method of avoiding mold in a home so affected is to move the furniture in question.

    Prevention of mold exposure and its ensuing health issues begins with the prevention of mold growth in the first place by avoiding a mold-supporting environment. Extensive flooding and water damage can support extensive mold growth. Following hurricanes, homes with greater flood damage, especially those with more than 3 feet of indoor flooding, demonstrated far higher levels of mold growth compared with homes with little or no flooding.

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    If You Have Sibo Or Ibs Mold Exposure Might Make Things Worse

    The gastrointestinal tract serves as the primary interface between ingested mycotoxins and the rest of the body.

    that mycotoxins and the gut microbiota engage in bidirectional crosstalk that ultimately influences the structure, function, and health of the gastrointestinal tract.

    They have learned that while a healthy gut microbiota can bind and metabolize some ingested mycotoxins, mycotoxins can also alter the microbiota and reduce its natural detoxification capacity. This means that patients with pre-existing gut issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and SIBO may be more severely impacted by mycotoxin exposure than people with a healthy gut microbiota, due to changes in their gut bacteria that reduce their capacity to process mycotoxins.

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