What To Do If You Are Breathing In Mold
If you suspect that you are breathing in mold or experiencing symptoms discussed above, getting your home checked for mold growth is a good first step. For non-toxic mold symptoms an over-the-counter antihistamine can help reduce the itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose. A decongestant can also help relieve some of the nasal congestion that is associated with breathing in mold. However, the only way to truly remedy symptoms from breathing in mold is to stop breathing it in, meaning that you need to have it removed from your home.
Mold Health Impact : Short
Do you ever walk into a room and think, What did I come in here for? Mold toxicity may be the reason. When mold mycotoxins are present in the body, they destroy the myelin sheath through lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. The most sensitive organ to this toxin-induced reduction of electrical activity is, of course, the brain. Additionally, the most sensitive brain region to toxin-induced down-regulation is our executive center, known as the prefrontal cortex, or PFC. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex houses our shortest of short-term memories. This is where our four second-learning and processing memory is most sensitive. So, when individuals initially become mold toxic, they start to experience brain fog, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness.
Types Of Mold Sickness And Symptoms
Mold can be found almost everywhere, though it thrives in warm, humid environments. It spreads by releasing tiny spores that float through the air. Some types of mold also produce mycotoxins, microscopic organic compounds that can attach to mold spores and cause additional health effects when inhaled.
Mold exposure does not always cause adverse reactions, and different types of mold can cause a person to react in distinctly different ways. However, those who are sensitive to mold or have mold allergies may experience the following symptoms after exposure, according to the CDC:
- Nasal stuffiness
- Eye, throat or skin irritation
- Coughing or wheezing
Reactions may be more severe in those with:
- Mold allergies
- Weakened immune systems
- Chronic lung illnesses
If you are in one of the above groups, the CDC recommends staying away from likely sources of mold, such as wooded areas, compost piles and freshly-cut grass.
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What Medical Tests Are Available To Determine If I Am Allergic Tomold
There are medical tests to determine if you are allergic to a particularsubstance, such as mold. These can be performed on skin or blood. Skin testsare considered more reliable than blood tests to determine allergic reaction toa substance. Skin tests yield results more quickly, are less expensive thanblood tests and are generally considered more sensitive. If an individual hassymptoms year-round, which may indicate an indoor allergy, skin testing may berecommended.
Blood testing called the RAST test can be done to showif you are allergic to a substance. The RAST test detects levels of antibodiesto particular allergens. The test is expensive to perform and results areusually not available for about two weeks.
Moldy Buildings As The Cause Or Trigger Of Migraines
Although migraines can be caused by mold, mycotoxins and other associated toxins in water-damaged buildings are not generally recognized as a factor by most practitioners. Therefore, they don’t ask their patients if they have been exposed to a moldy building. However, mold mycotoxins and other toxins from water-damaged buildings can trigger migraines. Headaches, including migraines are often associated with reactions to water-damaged buildings and these migraines can be part of a condition called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome due to a water-damaged building or Mold Related Illness. However, mold related illness is not usually on the list of triggers to rule out when someone has a migraine. If an individual cant find a causative factor for their migraines, I suggest they consider the possibility that toxins from a water-damaged building may be causing them. If the person has a history of exposure to water-damaged buildings at home, work or school, this definitely needs to be included as a possible factor.
Migraines Are Not The Only Symptom Caused By Mold Exposure
Not Everyone In A Moldy Building Has Migraines Or Other Symptoms
Moldy Places And Migraines
How Do You Know A Moldy Building Is The Issue
Many people are overwhelmed by how to figure out if their migraines are caused by mold. Here are some tools you can use to help you figure this out.
You Can Test Yourself For Visual Changes, Inflammatory Markers And Mycotoxins
Testing Your Home Or Other Buildings
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Can Mold On Clothes Make You Ill
Mold has dangerous health effects that should not be ignored. Though your bodys reactions to mold depend on the amount of mold growing in your home, and the sensitivity of your current state of health, the presence of mold has long-term adverse health effects.
The Aspergillus species of mold on clothes can easily be inhaled by people and has been known to cause respiratory problems, like coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and even fever. For those who are particularly susceptible, like children, the elderly, or asthmatics, the consequences can be serious.
Other types of mold on clothes can cause skin allergies and rashes, if you are particularly sensitive. You can also suffer from fatigue, headaches, and dizziness caused by mold on clothes.
The long-term effects of having mold on clothes, and in your home, can lead to a weakened immune system and recurring ill-health that could indirectly lead to severe infections like tuberculosis, and thus must be remedied as quickly as possible.
How Can You Remove Mold From Clothes
There are several DIY solutions for removing mold on clothes that can be accomplished with household products. But be aware that these methods only work on localised mold occurrences.
- The combination of baking soda and vinegar has been known to effectively combat mold on clothes. A teaspoon of baking soda with a cup or two of vinegar removes mold and the musty smell. Add this mixture to your washing cycle or soak the clothes in white vinegar for an hour.
- Borax is a mold-killing product and one that is easily accessible even if you dont already have it in your home. Add a half cup of borax to hot water and wait for it to dissolve before pouring it into your washing machine along with your detergent.
- Alternately, you can use a cup of bleach part way through your washing cycle, but ensure that you check that your clothes do not have a Do Not Bleach tag first.
If your mold problem is more widespread, however, these solutions will not be long-lasting. It is highly recommended that you contact a professional mold removal service if you have extensive mold in your home.
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Can Black Mold Cause Skin Rash
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. Besides, can mold cause a skin rash?
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who have touched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash and itching . Some types of mold are known to cause infections in immune-compromised people.
Similarly, how do you treat a mold rash? Antihistamines like Benadryl and Allegra can be bought over-the-counter. Antihistamine creams are also an option, and can be applied directly to the rash to relieve itching. Additionally, cool bath with baking soda or colloidal oatmeal is a simple home remedy believed to relieve itching and discomfort.
Similarly one may ask, can black mold cause skin infections?
All of our lives, every day, we have been exposed to mold. Mold infections can occasionally grow on the skin. They can invade both immune compromised people and healthy individuals, if conditions are right. Athlete’s foot is an extremely common skin infection caused by a fungal or bacterial infection.
What are the symptoms of black mold exposure?
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.
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.
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The Journey From Outdoor Mold Spore To Indoor Mold Problem
Whether out enjoying a hike or inside examining the grocery stores produce section, we are constantly transporting and breathing in tiny mold spores. An open window, a family pet or even your sneakers can bring outdoor spores to a new homeyour home or workplace.
These mold spores can be harmless. However, problems arise if the spores come in contact with a moisture source. Moisture lets the spores grow into mold that could affect health.
He’s Cute His Toy Isn’t
According to a study by the NSF, 55% of all pet toys were found to have mold growth. It makes sense. Since pets carry toys around in their mouths, they get covered in saliva and stay moist. That’s the perfect environment for mold to breed.
The Rx: The ASPCA advises washing plastic toys in soapy water and drying completely before giving back to Fido. If you’re cleaning a plush toy, place it in a garment bag and run it through the wash on cold with light soap.
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What Are The Signs Of Mold In Your House
Musty smells are a tell-tale sign of mold. Another common indicator is visible signs of water damage.
As mentioned earlier, mold grows fast. Within 24 hours of a water leak, or a flood, mold will begin to take hold. This mold can grow on anything thats humid walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and even wet laundry.
When there is a chance of mold, its important to have a professional in to test. Professionals qualified to do environmental investigations can:
- Check the surfaces of your house for mold
- Test the air for spores
- Help you to identify sources of moisture
- Identify where the mold is growing and help you decontaminate your house
- Use natural enzymes to kill mold spores
If you dont get rid of all sources of mold, you risk getting sick from it.
Noticing Signs Of Mold In Your Air Ducts
ODORS. An unusual or musty odor is often the first sign of mold in air ducts or in air vents. In many cases, youll smell it before you can see it. If you notice a musty or moldy smell that goes away when you are not using your air conditioning or heating , that can narrow the cause down to mold in your HVAC system.
Mold and mildew in air vents and ducts can smell wet, rotten, or stale. If you notice a recurring problem, particularly in areas with poor ventilation or a lot of moisture, get it checked out right away.
VISIBLE MOLD. Look for the first signs of mold around AC vents, in the ducts and in the drip pans. Condenser coils pull moisture out of the air and into drip pans, and if these become clogged they create the perfect environment for mold to grow.
Keep in mind that mold spreads through spores, which are tiny particles that are invisible to the naked eye. That means you wont necessarily see actual patches of mold growth right away. By the time you do see a noticeable amount of mold, infestation can be quite serious. At that point, you need professional help to get rid of the mold and make sure it doesnt come back.
SYMPTOMS. If people or pets in your home start exhibiting symptoms whenever the AC is on, mold in air ducts might be the cause. If theres enough mold in or around the vents, it can spread in the air, causing allergy like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritated nose and throat, and itchy eyes.
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Do I Need Professional Testing
In short, usually not! Because, remember the saying: no mold, no matter what color, belongs in a healthy home. And that is good news because a professional mold inspection with testing can run anywhere from $300-$750. In most cases where mold is clearly visible, knowing exactly what type of mold you have is unnecessary. We advise most of our clients to forgo the inspection process and just apply that money saved to the cost of fixing the problem. The EPA agrees that mold testing isnt necessary in most cases.
There are exceptions, however, such as when a mold inspection with testing is required as part of a real estate sale or if you require proof that a mold problem is present, such as for a legal dispute. If you think you may have a mold problem, but arent sure, then we recommend formal testing from a professional. And if you require clearance testing to verify an all clear after a mold problem is fixed, then professional mold testing is necessary.
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Discoloration And Stains On The Mattress
As mentioned earlier, youll be able to see the molds fruiting bodies after a while. Mold may appear as fuzzy, discolored, or slimy spots that grow in size over time.
However, not all molds will have that tell-tale black color. Molds come in various colors, including pink, off-white, green, purple, and orange.
So, if there are discolorations or stains on your mattress surface for no apparent reason, you may have mold.
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Testing For Mold Toxicity
If you find mold in your home or workplace, it is important to test for mold toxicity in your body. Oftentimes, people who are struggling to get healthy , are dealing with mold toxicity.
Mold toxins increase the burden on the liver and create chronic inflammation in the body. These toxins are highly indicated in neurological disorders and symptoms like brain fog, depression, and anxiety. One very effective option for testing mold toxins in the body is the GPL-MycoTOX Profile.
Why Does Mold Grow On Clothes
Similar to the reasons why mold appears in your home, mold on clothes can grow because of dampness and lack of ventilation. Mold disperses spores and toxins that travel through the air and are attracted to damp materials that are fibre-rich, such as wood, drywall, and fabric.
If your clothes remain wet for an extended period of time, mold will be attracted to it fairly quickly anywhere between 24-48 hours. Keeping wet or even moist clothes in unventilated areas or closely together becomes a breeding ground to grow mold on clothes.
If you have recently washed your clothes, it is always best to dry the clothes in sunlight as soon as possible. If you do not have a way to dry clothes outside, dry them in the dryer. Do not let the clothes remain in the washing machine in their damp state for too long.
Dampness is only one of the causes for mold on clothes. If your home is too humid, or if the room where your clothes are stored does not have enough ventilation, chances of finding mold on clothes increases significantly.
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Being In A Depressed Mood
Mold in your home can affect you neurologically. There is a definite connection between home dampness, mold, and symptoms of depression. You may experience unusual mood swings or irritations mixed with feelings of elations. This is due in part because the mold interferes with your brain function. No doubt, some moodiness is from the stress of owning a home that is making you sick.
Researchers studying mold-related illnesses found that damp homes also impact the people living in them and their mood. Again, they proved there was a definite connection between home dampness, mold, and symptoms of depression. Mental illness and the connection to less-than-ideal living conditions is not surprising.
Psychological stress is normal when you have little control over your home environment and have poor indoor air quality that can affect your health. Take control of the stress by reducing moisture sources in the home, adding house plants to clean the air, and running a fan to keep air circulating.
It Lurks In Your Coffeemaker
How do you take your coffee? Milk? Two sugars? Mold? No thanks. According to a study by the NSF, your coffee maker is the fifth dirtiest thing in the average American home. Fifty percent of all coffeemakers had mold, yeast and bacteria growing in the reservoir. The dark, damp environment is a perfect breeding ground for moldsometimes enough to make us sick.
The Rx: Clean your coffeemaker thoroughlywith vinegar. Fill your carafe with equal parts vinegar and water, brew until it’s half empty, turn off and let it sit for a half hour, then turn back on and finish brewing. Vinegar sanitizes your coffeemaker and removes buildup, so your cup of joe will taste better, too.
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