Is Mold Causing My Symptoms
Many times, people dont realize they have been exposed to mold until they find it growing in their home. Mold can grow in hard-to-spot places like inside walls, heating ducts, basements, and attics, and under flooring. The trickiest part of dealing with mold is that it can be growing for weeks or months and homeowners may have no idea until it is found, or they become very sick for a long period of time. If mold is caught in time and treated properly, symptoms of mold exposure can be reversed.
How To Know If Your Home Or Office Is Making You Sick
Since so many buildings are water-damaged, before purchasing or renting a new home be sure to have the house thoroughly tested for molds and their mycotoxins. At the time of this writing, there are two tests you can use that effectively measure the amount of mold in your home:
ERMI test
ERMI stands for Environmental Relative Moldiness Index. The ERMI test uses a specific technique called mold-specific quantitative PCR testing . Before the ERMI test, evaluating a home for mold consisted of taking small samples of dust in your home and trying to grow mold in a petri dish. If the petri dish didnt grow mold, your home was thought to be mold-free. The ERMI test looks for molds DNA. This type of testing is significantly more sensitive than growing mold in a petri dish. The ERMI test is sensitive enough to test for 36 different species of mold.
This test was originally developed by comparing moldy homes to non-moldy homes. The results of an ERMI test are divided into four quartiles:
- The ERMI value for this quartile is -10 up to -4.
- This environment has low levels of mold.
- If you have a mold allergy or CIRS, you want your house to fall only in this category.
Identifying Mold In Your Home
- Appearance or dark spots or clusters. Look for spots or clustered growths, especially in warm, moist rooms.
- Musty smell. You may be able to identify mold by a musty smell.
- Allergies or asthma. If you experience asthma attacks or allergy symptoms in your home, that may also indicate theres mold.
- Potential causes. Look for causes of mold growth, like a leak, water damage, lack of ventilation, or old food, papers, or wood.
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I Heard About Toxic Molds And Black Molds That Grow In Homes And Other Buildings Should I Be Concerned About A Serious Health Risk To Me And My Family
There is always a little mold everywhere in the air and on many surfaces.
Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins . Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. Not all fungi produce mycotoxins and even those that do will not do so under all surface or environmental conditions.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. Color is not an indication of how dangerous a mold may be. Any mold should be removed and the moisture source that helped it grow should be removed.
There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.
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How Do You Treat Mold Toxicity Symptoms
Right now, youll see a lot of experts recommending handfuls of supplements and strict diets but the reality is, we just dont know for sure if these are the right treatment approach, says McElroy. Instead, she recommends the steps below. You might be surprised to see that killing the mold is only one out of five. Thats no coincidence! As McElroy explains, I often dont focus on killing mold since most symptoms are due to the immune response, not the mold itself. Instead, she starts with simple lifestyle steps and utilizes non-pill practices to achieve a state of better immune health , including:
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Are There Different Types Of Mold Allergies
You can be allergic to molds in the air, and you can be allergic to molds in foods. Some food allergies related to mold include mushrooms, certain types of cheese, fermented foods, some wines and food products that contain vinegar.
There are also many different types of mold that can cause allergies. Some common ones include _Alternaria, Aspergillus, _Cladosporium and Penicillium. There are also toxic molds that can cause very serious illnesses. An example of a toxic mold is Stachybotrys, which is known as black mold. In addition to allergies, aspergillus can cause infections known as aspergillosis.
Eliminate Mold Today With Environmental Consulting And Contracting Group
If you are concerned about moisture and the potential for mold growth in your home, call the professionals at Environmental Consulting and Contracting Group for any and all of your black mold questions. We have over 30 years combined experience in professional mold remediation and mold cleanup, so please rest assured that if there is a problem we will be able to tackle it. We offer our valued customers a lifetime guarantee against the return of mold growth because we are so confident in our work. Give us a call at 1-877-591-MOLD or visit us online for more information. To learn more ways to combat mold growth in your home, follow us on,,, and+.
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How Does Mold Exposure Cause So Many Symptoms
There are two different reactions to mold exposure and its important to note the difference.
The first is a mold allergy. Mold allergies happen with mold exposure. Common symptoms of a mold allergy are:
- Dry, scaly skin
After you leave the moldy environment, youll no longer experience mold allergy symptoms.
The second condition is called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome . CIRS is a very different condition causing that long list of symptoms I mentioned earlier. CIRS prevents your immune system from getting rid of the mold. Instead your immune system will continue to react in often strange and unrelated ways.
The biggest difference between mold allergies and CIRS is that if you have CIRS, your symptoms of mild sickness wont go away even when you leave the moldy environment.
However not everyone can develop CIRS. You need to be among the 25% of people who has the HLA-DR gene. Think of this portion of the population as the canaries in the coal mine theyre the first to experience symptoms if a building has mold in it! Their bodys immune system shifts into high gear with mold exposure.
How To Control Mold
You may not be able to completely rid your home of mold and its spores to avoid mold exposure symptoms. However, you can kill mold on surfaces and avoid creating the dark, damp places mold needs to grow. Hiring a professional is probably the best way to find and remove hidden pockets of mold. However, you can do the following yourself:
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Recycle Old Newspapers And Books
Do you have any old newspapers or books stored in your basement that you think you may be interested in revisiting in the future? How many years has it been since youve even felt remotely interested in going downstairs and reviewing the old books? If you have any books or newspapers in your basement that you havent read in a while, you should strongly consider recycling them.
If the paper gets wet, it can very quickly become moldy. Unfortunately, you may not notice the quickly molding paper if you dont go down to your basement to look at the books often. If you dont have a strong filtration system in place, the mold spores that grew on the wet paper can make their way up to your living quarters and make you sick.
What Does Black Mold Exposure Treatment Look Like
Just like the diagnosis, the treatment of mold exposure differs from doctor to doctor. One thing most doctors will advise you to do is to test for and, if needed, remove any unhealthy mold conditions from your home. Even if the treatment will help in the short-term, it wont be effective over the long-term if your indoor environment isnt improved.
To treat the symptoms, doctors may suggest:
- Over-the-counter medication. Medicine that would decrease the airway inflammation and suppress the allergic reactions.
- Nasal sprays to deal with a runny or stuffy nose or rinses to clear your nasal passages from inhaled mold spores.
- Regular allergy medicine
A persons immune system must be working properly to fight mold symptoms, so changes in a lifestyle or diet might be necessary. In more severe allergy cases, doctors prescribe immunotherapy to relieve symptoms
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Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Are you noticing any of the signs of mold exposure, like watery eyes, a sore throat, or a wet cough? If so, there may be mold in your home or office. To eliminate your symptoms, you need to find the source of the mold and have it removed. For treatment in the meantime, contact us today at Medical Transformation Center in Louisville, KY to schedule an initial consultation.
Where Is The Mold Coming From
Yes, when I say mold it includes the same stuff you might see on your food. Mold is even present in a lot of food products that arent rotting. Foods like coffee, corn, grains, and dehydrated fruits often have high levels of mold and mycotoxins.
But the main source of toxic mold exposure comes from water-damaged buildings. And theyre far more common than you may think. Studies of residential homes and commercial buildings in the United States suggest that 50% of all building structures have water damage resulting in mold.
You could be living in a moldy home and not even know it!
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What Are The Mental & Neurological Symptoms Associated With Black Mold Exposure
Black mold produces toxins that can kill neurons in the brain and can impair a persons mental faculties. Exposure to black mold toxins may cause mental & neurological conditions, like nervous disorders. Symptoms of mental & neurological effects of black mold exposure include altered behavior, mood swings, and irritability.
How Are Mold Allergies And Exposure Diagnosed
There are no proven tests that show when or where you may have been exposed to mold.
But your doctor may check for mold allergies by reviewing your symptoms and performing one of the following tests:
- Blood test. Your doctor takes a blood sample and then sends it to a laboratory to measure the number of certain antibodies, which can indicate your immune systems sensitivity to different mold species.
- Skin prick test. Your doctor takes a small amount of mold and applies it to your skin using a tiny needle. Your skin will break out in bumps, a rash, or hives if youre allergic to that type of mold.
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To Find A Mold Remediation Professional
You can find qualified mold remediation professionals near you by following the link. They can find all the hidden mold in your home and remove it safely, without exposing you to further risk. They usually provide free consultations and home inspections, so you have nothing to lose, and even if you do end up deciding to handle the job yourself, you can get valuable information and advice from an experienced professional that will help you with your task.
The Medical Approach To Mold Exposure Symptoms
The best way to get rid of mold exposure symptoms is to remove the mold from your home and anywhere else you find it. However, there are some strategies that can help alleviate your symptoms, particularly if theyre severe. These strategies may include:
- Over-the-counter medications to counter any allergic reactions such as antihistamines.
- Nasal sprays or rinses that remove mold from your nasal passages and help calm congestion.
- Medications to reduce mucus and allergy symptoms.
- Allergy shots or low dose immunotherapy.
- Binders to take out biotoxins in your body from the mold.
- Lab test monitoring to track Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome .
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How Is Mold Allergy Treated
One of the most important ways to manage a mold allergy is to avoid mold. Reduce your exposure to mold as much as possible by avoiding damp places and things like piles of wet leaves. Make sure your bathroom has an exhaust fan or window you can open to limit dampness and beware of leaks in your roof, walls or pipes in your home.
Your provider might suggest immunotherapy to reduce your sensitivity to mold, commonly known as allergy shots.
Medications, like antihistamines or nasal steroids can give you relief from symptoms. If you have asthma, your provider may suggest a different medication, like inhaled steroids or mast cell stabilizers.
Mold Inspection & Mold Testing
There is a difference between a mold inspection and mold testing.
A mold inspection is a visual assessment of an area to determine whether mold is present.
Mold testing is when a certified mold inspector conducts scientific air sampling and collects samples that will be analyzed in a lab. This typically takes place when you cant see the mold but suspect it may be present.
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Contact Biocleans Expert Mold Removal Specialists
The first step in treating these symptoms is to hire a professional to remove the mold from your home. Secondly, it is very important to let your doctor know that you have been exposed to mold including what type of mold and how long youve been exposed for. If you’re ready to get to the bottom of your allergy-like symptoms and suspect mold is the culprit,contact ustoday. We provide free mold inspections throughout the state of Connecticut and service Westchester County, New York with all mold inspection and remediation services.
For more information about mold or to schedule service, call us at 203-283-3912 or visit our contact page.
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Allergic reactions are common to an overgrowth of mold. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, skin rashes, wheezing, a runny nose, redness of the eyes and the onset of asthma.
More severe reactions to mold exposure include difficulty breathing, fevers, a compromised immune system and recurring lung infections.
The good news is, however, that a large degree of mold exposure is not harmful and can be easily put to rest with the proper treatment of a mold infestation.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Mold Allergy
Mold spores get into your nose and cause rhinitis symptoms. They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma.
Symptoms can include:
- Mucus in the throat
- Asthma symptoms if you have allergic asthma cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness
Mold allergy can cause an allergic reaction right away. But in some cases, it may cause delayed symptoms. This can cause a stuffy nose or asthma symptoms that get worse over time. If your symptoms often get worse in a damp, humid, or moldy room like a basement, this may mean you have a mold allergy.
Outdoor molds often cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall. But they may be year-round in warmer, humid climates. Indoor molds may cause allergy symptoms year-round.
Rarely, some people can have a more serious illness called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In this condition, there is both an allergic and an inflammatory response in the lungs to the mold or fungus. Symptoms may include severe wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, much like asthma.
Food fungi, like mushrooms, dried fruit, or foods containing yeast, vinegar, or soy sauce usually dont cause allergy symptoms in the nose, eyes, and lungs. Reactions to food fungi are often caused by the foods direct effect on blood vessels.
How Common Is Mold Allergy
According to some statistics, about 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with environmental allergies. About two-thirds of people with asthma also have environmental allergies. Many days of work are lost and more than 50% of people who have such allergies consider them to play a part in their quality of life.
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What Is The Outlook For People Who Have A Mold Allergy
Mold allergy cant be cured, but it can be managed with efforts to reduce your exposure to mold and with taking suggested medications if needed.
There are certain types of molds that are more dangerous to your health than others. These are molds that emit mycotoxins or cause infections, which can cause serious illness and even death.
