How Do You Treat Mold Exposure
How do I get rid of mycotoxins?
I also recommend liver detox support like glutathione, NAC, milk thistle, minerals, vitamin C and the B vitamins. Sweating via exercise or a sauna is another great way to reduce mycotoxin levels in the body. Although air filters in the home can drastically reduce the level of mycotoxins, they are not a permanent fix.
How Do Molds Affect People
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.
Indoor Mold: A Threat To Our Health
According to the World Health Organization, up to half of the buildings in North America are water damaged and, thus, prime real estate for indoor molds. Molds such as Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus thrive in damp environments rich in porous materials, such as particleboard, wood, and drywall. In the presence of these materials, a small water leak from a poorly sealed window or a hole in a basement foundation is all it takes to trigger a bloom of mold growth, with potentially drastic repercussions for residents health.
Once mold has established itself in a water-damaged indoor environment, it begins to release secondary metabolites called mycotoxins. Examples of mycotoxins include trichothecenes, produced by the Fusarium fungus, and gliotoxin and ochratoxin A, produced by Aspergillus fungi.
Mycotoxins pose a serious threat to human health, particularly when they are inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed via dermal contact in moldy buildings. The adverse health effects of mycotoxins are compounded by the presence of other biotoxins in damp buildings, including bacterial endotoxin, fungal and bacterial cell wall fragments, and microbial volatile organic compounds .
The constellation of symptoms caused by mold and biotoxin exposure is referred to as mold illness, biotoxin illness, or chronic inflammatory response syndrome . While mold and mycotoxins impact diverse body systems, the cognitive effects are among the most disconcerting.
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Why Is Black Toxic Mold So Prevalent
Reports of severe illness due to toxic black mold have increased in the past 50 years. This began when people started building air-tight, energy-efficient structures that cannot breathe, delaying evaporation, promoting mold growth, and trapping mold toxins.
The transition from plaster to drywall in residential and commercial buildings in 1970 has also worsened exposure to black mold because this material is highly vulnerable to moisture.
How To Get Rid Of Toxic Black Mold
Mold poisoning treatment will be in vain if black mold exposure continues to exist in your home. Even if you are unsure if it is toxic black mold or just another black-pigmented mold, get rid of it right away.
- Wear a respirator or a facemask and rubber gloves to prevent the inhalation of spores. Cover your arms and legs to avoid any contact.
- Determine the extent of mold growth.
- Spray vinegar or baking soda in water if the affected area is porous.
- Rinse the area using clean water.
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Black Mold Is Toxigenic
Certain molds prove toxigenic, which means that they produce mycotoxins that cause ill health effects. A little mold is everywhere, but not all mold is poisonous. That doesnt mean you should ignore mold.
Most are familiar with black mold, which is toxigenic and produces mold spores. These form colonies and grow with other spores. High concentrations of these mycotoxins can cause mold poisoning in healthy people, too.
Mold poisoning is also known as mycotoxicosis. This condition affects the upper respiratory system with harmful cold or flu-like symptoms. Additional symptoms due to mycotoxins can prove fatal. Thats especially true for those with severe allergies, asthma or other conditions.
Green-black mold is also harmful. Its found on paper, dust, lint, fiberboard and other low-nitrogen content materials. It can develop and spread after water leaks, floods and condensation.
Until you know more, treat all molds the same due to the potential long-term side effects and health risks. Take mold growth seriously. You will usually see the mold colony and smell the signature musty smell.
The Mold Removal Process
It depends on the contractors workload, but the entire process from the initial phone call to complete removal could take place within one week.
The contractor will remove the mold through one of numerous methods, such as:
- Eliminating impacted materials
- Using hydroxyl generators
- Applying mold-resistant coatings
The process for removal is generally the same no matter what type of mold you have in your home. Most importantly, the only way to prevent future mold growth is to correct the situation that created the mold in the first place, so your contractor will likely discuss this with you to prevent any further problems.
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Contact A Specialist That Handles Black Mold To:
- Get a free assessment of your situation, including a complete inspection of your home in order to locate all areas of mold growth.
- Verify if the mold in your home is in fact black mold, so you can let your physician know exactly what substances youâve been exposed to.
- Get customized information that will help you do the job right if you decide not to hire a specialist.
Respiratory Black Mold Symptoms
Black mold poisoning happens when you breathe in the spores of the mold. These spores contain toxins.
At first, you may only experience mild irritation. Over time, though, symptoms of mold exposure usually get worse.
Since symptoms are produced when you breathe in the toxins, the most common symptoms are respiratory. You may notice:
- A sore or itchy throat
- A stuffy or runny nose
- Coughing
- Wheezing
Black mold symptoms are different for certain people, such as those with asthma. They may experience:
- Allergic reactions
- Difficulty breathing
- Frequent chest infections
You may also have itchy skin or eyes. Nosebleeds are also common. Some people may experience fatigue and headaches.
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Mould Exposure: Long Term Side Effects
Mould, even though it can be associated with benefits to humanity, the word does not normally lend itself to positive imagery. It is something that naturally occurs in the ecosystem and it has its benefits it breaks down dead foliage so it can return nutrients to the soil.
It is used to create penicillin and if you have a taste for it, it can even be consumed in products like blue cheese but the last place you want mould growing is in your home or throughout your business. For good reason as well, while mould is used in medicines and food, it is carefully cultivated, when it comes to mould in the home, its presence can lead to some damaging side effects. Long term exposure to mould, in particular black mould, can have a range of effects on the human body ranging from mild to quite severe, so if you see mould forming around the home or in your business premises it is best not to ignore it.
What Makes Mould Dangerous?
What are the Symptoms of Long-Term Mould Exposure?
Long-Term Mould Exposure and Mental/Psychological Issues
What do I do if Iâm suffering from Long-Term Mould Exposure?
Do you Have Mould?
Toxic Black Mold: The Deadly Fungi
Toxic black mold or Stachybotrys chartarum is a group of micro-fungus that is often found is cellulose-rich and nitrogen-low areas such as the fiberboards, gypsum boards and wooden components of water-damaged buildings. It was discovered in 1837 by Czech mycologist August Carl Joseph Corda, on the wall of a house.
S. chartarum is a greenish-black fungal species in the division Deuteromycota, an inclusive group for fungi with unknown sexual reproduction stages. It has a worldwide distribution, although some species limited to the tropical and subtropical regions.
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Is There Such Thing As Black Mold Anxiety
Anxiety is defined as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. by the American Psychological Association. A strong link between mold and anxiety has been established by recent studies.
One of the major mediators of anxiety symptoms is dopamine, which is decreased by toxic black molds devastation on the dopamine factories.
Exposure to black mold increases excessive electrical activity, which is demonstrated by excessive blood flow to the brain.
Black Toxic Mold Doesnt Stop There!
Getting A Diagnosis For Mold Sickness
While symptoms to mold exposure are not uncommon , many health care professionals struggle to pinpoint the cause behind these symptoms.
Often only a few people or one person and not everyone, in a home or workplace experience symptoms. This is frustrating and confusing for the sick person. When their doctors cant find any reason for the illness, they can start to feel like the sickness is all in their mind.
People suffering from mold exposure can often be misdiagnosed with disorders such as:
- Depression
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Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure
If you are experiencing symptoms of black mold exposure, then it is important to take care of the mold problem as quickly as possible in order to avoid long-term health issues. The problem with these symptoms is the fact that they are often similar to symptoms of other health conditions, so many people don’t realize that there is a mold problem.
How Quickly Can Mold Make You Sick
There are several types of fungi that can be found in your house, down in the basement, or in the attic. Mold develops when the perfect environment is created, which is usually a combination of moisture, humidity, and organic material. Spores can migrate away from thriving colonies through the air, landing on shoes, blankets, showerheads, or your HVAC ductwork. As it spreads, it releases toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. These are the molecules that lead to illness.
Mold toxicity is considered a biotoxin illness, also called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. In this severe condition, there is a systemic inflammatory response that occurs after an individual has had intense exposure to toxigenic organisms. These organisms can include bacteria, mycobacterium, fungi, actinomycetes, and other inflammagens. It is common for people to suffer from an illness brought on by living conditions where water damage has occurred, and many of these individuals are unable to develop an antibody or immune response to mold toxins.
Almost everyone will experience some form of illness or response when their bodies are exposed to high enough levels of biotoxins, though each individual has a unique threshold or tolerance. There is no exact timeline for how soon a person will develop symptoms of mold exposure, but as mold spores rapidly multiply, individuals may experience certain discomforts within just a few hours of entering a mold-laden environment.
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S You Can Take To Prevent Mold Growth
As you read earlier, its nearly impossible to prevent all mold growth since spores are always floating in the air. However, there are some steps you can take to discourage future growths:12
- Control the moisture by investing in a dehumidifier and keep humidity levels under 60%.
- Dry wet spots quickly.
When To Hire A Professional Mold Exterminator
If signs of mold sickness are evident among occupants, it means that the black toxic mold colony in your home is already expansive.
It could be dangerous for untrained individuals to handle severe infestations. A professional mold exterminator has the knowledge and tools for dealing with molds safely.
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How To Know If You Have Black Mold In Your House
Mold isnt always visible. If you can see mold, its only a sign of the real potential health risk, which is the harmful types of unhealthy levels of mold in the air of your home or workplace.
Airborne mold is all around us in both the outdoors and indoors. The types and amount of mold is what determines the potential health risk. Most of us are typically accustomed to the varieties and amounts of mold present in our outdoor environments.
Healthy indoor environments will have mold conditions similar to or better than those in the surrounding outdoors. Over time, because of moisture , many indoor spaces develop unhealthy types and/or unhealthy levels of airborne mold that can be harmful to you or your pets.
These signs will help you know if you possibly have unhealthy mold conditions in your house:
- Allergic symptoms
- A damp or musty odor in one or more places
- Frequent headaches
- The air in the home feels different
- Your house has been flooded or currently has leaks
- You previously tried removing mold yourself
Take note of how you feel in and out of the house. If the symptoms disappear or decrease when youre out and about, then you might have a mold problem, yes, even if you cant see mold.
Consider How Food Affects Recovery From Mold Illness
A low inflammatory diet that eliminates added sugars and processed foods is a good first step. Also, it could be wise to skip foods that may be contaminated with mold:
- Corn
- Alcohol
Enjoy foods that are rich in fiber, antioxidants and that support detoxification. Eating an organic diet as much as possible means lowering the total body burden by reducing pesticide exposure. Increasing your intake of cruciferous vegetables may be helpful. Also, embracing food with antifungal properties such as olive oil, garlic, ginger, onion, coconut and lemon may be beneficial.
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Final Word From The Experts
Toxic Black Mold may look like a simple stain on your wall or ceiling, but it can cause a lot of damage to your quality of life. Mold toxicity is a stealthy condition, so it is best to have you checked for this alongside other tests and understand how mold affects the human body with prolonged toxic black mold exposure.
If exposure to black mold is confirmed, go to an expert on this field to obtain the best treatment possible. Sponaugle Wellness Institute has changed the lives of thousands of people who had been suffering for years due to undetected mold toxicity.
About Sponaugle Wellness Institute
At Sponaugle Wellness Institute we practice integrative medicine, combining the best of conventional and alternative medicine to focus on outcome-based treatments for patient. Our mission is to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of our patients illness rather than to treat their symptoms. Dr. Rick Sponaugle, Director of Sponaugle Wellness Institute, is an integrative physician with extraordinary brain expertise having treated over 8,000 patients who were suffering with various psychological and neurological disorders.aView all posts by Sponaugle Wellness Institute
Find Optimal Health And Wellness
If youre dealing with mysterious symptoms that you think could be related to mold exposure, dont lose hope. Contact us for an appointment and an individualized treatment plan to help you regain optimal health and wellness.
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Test Your Environment For Mold
Testing your environmenthome or workplacefor mold can be very beneficial since the symptoms of mold-related illness can be similar to other chronic inflammatory conditions such as Lyme.
There are different avenues you may take to address mold testing. Options exist for both professional testing and for self-testing.
DIY Mold Testing
There are pros and cons to each so a combination of these may be used:
Find a Qualified Indoor Environmental Professionals for Inspection
An indoor environmental professional knowledgeable about the effects of mold on sensitive populations can be helpful. Their trained eyes and tools can be helpful in identifying the source of your mold. Here are tips for finding a qualified mold inspector:
- Be sure the professional offers just inspection, not inspection with remediation to avoid conflicts of interest.
- Consider a virtual or phone consultation with indoor professionals aligned with the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness and their standards for indoor health.
- Look for a local IEP through ACAC.org
- Find inspection professionals with the CIEC and CMC certifications.
- Find remediation professionals with the CMRS and CMR certifications.
