What Can Mold Do To The Human Body

Getting Rid Of Black Mold In Any Room

Mold and How it Affects your Body

Unless the mold is very extreme and prevalent, it should not be necessary to call in professionals.Affordable mold testing kits are available to test the home and urine sample tests can be done by laboratories if you are worried you may have been exposed to unhealthy amounts of mold spores.

Conventionally, mold in the home can be treated using a bleach solution. But why use harmful chemicals when there is a gentler, more natural way? like this DIY Tea Tree Mold Spray If items like carpets, clothing or shelving, that is porous, are infested, you may have to toss them out.

Via : helloglow.co

Preventing Mold Growth In Your Home

There are a few things you can do to prevent mold growth in your home. One is to keep indoor surfaces clean and dry. Another is to control moisture and humidity levels by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner, and opening doors and windows to allow for ventilation. Finally, it is important to repair any leaks or other sources of water intrusion as soon as possible. By taking these steps, you can help prevent mold growth in your home and reduce the risk of mold sickness symptoms and health complications.

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.

Also Check: How To Remove Mold From Clothes With Hydrogen Peroxide

How Common Is Mold In Buildings

Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.

How To Cure And Detox Your Body From Mold Poison Naturally Symptoms Testing And Treatment

Now more than ever indoor mold, even Toxic Mold exposure is easier to treat.

You can do mold remediation on your home and remove environmental toxins.

You can but do not need to call in a mold inspector as there are many online kits you can test for in your mold detox protocol

From my research It has been estimated that up to 25 percent of people have a genetic and immune system predisposition to mold mycotoxins says Dr. Jim Ken Ph.D.

What is also concerning is according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , maybe as high a 50% of dwellings, commercial building, and offices in America have a history of water damage and could easily contain mold toxins

Black mold is a common occurrence in homes, growing and flourishing in damp, humid conditions. This would not be such a problem but for the fact that black mold can cause a host of symptoms and if left untreated can lead to toxic conditions within your body.

TL DR

Follow a Detox protocol
Follow a Mold detox Diet

We will cover in this article How to Prevent Exposure to Mold, Symptoms of Mold Exposure and provide an in-depth look at mold poisoning, toxicity, detection, prevention, and how to detox your body from the mold

So what is black mold? Where does it appear? What are the health risks or black mold poisoning and how do you get rid of the symptoms and the causes?

How Does Mould Affect Health

Mould associated with damp buildings can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze, respiratory infections and worsen asthma and allergic conditions.

People who are more susceptible to these symptoms and other serious health effects include those with:

weakened immune systems

chronic, obstructive, or allergic lung diseases.

You should seek medical advice if you are concerned about the effects of mould.

Does Mold Cause Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion, otherwise known as a stuffy nose, can happen to you regardless of whether or not you have allergies. Often, a stuffed up nose can be the result of a cold, the flu or dry air and shouldnt be a cause for concern. However, if you notice recurring and persistent nasal congestion, particularly at night, then there may be something in your environment thats causing your body to react this way. One of the most common reasons for a stuffy nose is mold, and if you experience this repeatedly over a long period of time, you likely have a mold problem somewhere in your house one that should be remediated as soon as possible.

Recommended Reading: Does My Apartment Have Mold

Who Is Most At Risk For Health Problems Associated With Exposure To Mold

People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections. Individuals with chronic respiratory disease may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.

What Do Mycotoxins Do To Humans

Charmaine Bassett Trimm on Detoxing Mold from Your Body

Mycotoxins are poisonous substances that are produced by certain types of fungi. These toxins can cause a range of health problems in humans, including skin rashes, digestive problems, and respiratory problems. Some mycotoxins can even cause cancer. Exposure to mycotoxins can occur through contaminated food or water, or through inhalation of dust particles that contain the toxins. In some cases, mycotoxins can also be found in building materials, such as insulation or wallpaper. Treatment for mycotoxin exposure typically involves removal from the exposure source and supportive care. In some cases, specific medications may be used to treat the health effects of mycotoxins.

There are many different types of mold, and not all of them will produce mycotoxins and cause symptoms of mold poisoning. Some of the most common mold types that have been linked to mycotoxin production include Stachybotrys chartarum , Aspergillus, and Penicillium.

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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold With Grapefruit Seed Extract

Combine and mix 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract oil to each cup of water used. Or 1 drop of oil per tablespoon of water for a guide ratio .

Pour contents into a spray bottle and evenly saturate all of the mold areas to be treated.

Allow the black mold solution to work for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Leave to soak for up to an hour for persistent staining.

Clean and wipe away any remaining mold residue.

The good this is the acids in the grapefruit seed extract will persist and penetrate mold growth as well as prevent any future mold spores from coming back. So that is why you do not wash it off.

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How Are Mold Exposure And Tuberculosis Related

As we mentioned earlier, there are three types of mold:

Allergenic

Pathogenic

Toxigenic

Each of these types can have a different impact on your health, from a simple skin rash to breathing issues and even cancer. Which symptoms you will experience depends mainly on your immune system. But, even the strongest immune systems can weaken with time if it is continuously expose to mold. Especially to Pathogenic and Toxigenic types of mold.

Tuberculosis is one of the possible mold effect you can experience and we can blame the toxic type of mold for that. Toxic mold spores often produce mycotoxins that threaten your health and make you vulnerable to diseases, like the above mentioned tuberculosis.

At Mold Busters, we often get asked whether mold can cause tuberculosis, given that it has such a profound effect on the respiratory system.

The answer?

No at least not directly.

Although mold itself cannot cause tuberculosis, it does weaken peoples immune systems, making them more vulnerable to infections. Once your immune systems stops working full-time, you shouldnt worry about tuberculosis only, but many other infections, mold related or not.

People who spend a substantial amount of time in areas with poor air quality are at greater risk of mold exposure and are, therefore, more susceptible to allergic, bacterial and viral infections due to weakened immune systems.

Mold Reactions: Who’s At Risk

Ten Foot Polemic: The Mold Vessels and the Filled Men

For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath. In people with asthma who are allergic to mold, breathing in spores can also cause asthma attacks.

In addition to people with allergies and asthma, others who may be more sensitive to the effects of mold include:

Infants and children

People with chronic lung disease

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What Is Mold Toxicity

Mold toxicity occurs when mycotoxins are produced by micro-fungi such as mold, that can affect your bodys system leading to chronic symptoms.

It is estimated that 24% of the population is genetically susceptible to this illness and will begin experiencing chronic inflammatory immune responses as a result of this exposure. Toxins produced by mold will start to accumulate inside the body and begin its takeover of symptoms to an individual.

Prevent Mold From Growing Back

Use dehumidifiers in damp areas, such as the basement
Fix leaks in the roof, walls, windows, or pipes

Ventilate bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas
Vent clothes dryer to the outside
Use mold-resistant paint

Dry areas that are wet or have been flooded within 24 to 48 hours, throw out anything that cannot be completely dried

What Are The Symptoms Of Mold Exposure

Mold allergies are progressive. The more contact you have, the more likely you are to experience severe symptoms.

In some instances, no symptoms or only vague symptoms of mold exposure may occur. These can go unnoticed, especially in babies.

Even without immediate, noticeable symptoms, long-term health effects, such as asthma, have been associated with mold. Its not currently known whether this is a direct cause of mold or merely an association.

Mold may cause:

skin irritation
sporotrichosis, a skin infection that starts out as a small pink, red, or purple bump on the skin
itchy, red eyes

Ways Toxic Mold Affects Your Brain

How Mold Can Affect Our Bodies

June 5, 2020

Diet, sleep, physical activity, stress managementas advocates of an ancestral diet and lifestyle, we know well that these factors have a significant impact on our cognitive function. However, have you ever stopped to think about how your indoor environment might be impacting your brain?

More about Mold Illness and Its Effects on the Brain

This article originally appeared in Paleo Magazine.

The average person living in the modern, Westernized world spends a whopping 80 to 90 percent of his or her time indoors. Given the amount of time we spend inside, we must ensure the safety and cleanliness of our indoor environments. Unfortunately, a shocking number of residential buildings, schools, and workplaces today harbor an environmental contaminant that poses a severe threat to our cognitive healthmold. Read on to learn why the sharp smell of mold and unpleasant musty odors indoors should not be ignored if you care about your long-term cognitive health.

Exposure to toxic mold can cause a number of worrying cognitive symptoms. Check out this article to find out more and to learn how to seek treatment. #functionalmedicine #chriskresser

Read Also: How Do I Test My Home For Mold

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:

Genetic Disposition To Mold The Hla

Chronic mold or fungal infections are much more common than traditional physicians believe. In addition, knowledge of common mold secondary metabolites, mycotoxins, and their impact is not broadly understood. In these cases, mycotoxins can be produced inside the body. Several parts of our bodies provide a hospitable environment, food, and moisture for fungal reproduction in the body at rapid rates. Scientists have identified a specific gene and developed a diagnostic that can suggest whether a persons immune system cannot identify, kill, and remove these molds and associated chemicals from the body. Approximately 25% of people have this genetic predisposition to mold exposure. This can explain why different occupants in the same family or household can have very different responses to mold, including some who do not get sick at all. Family members may have immune systems that can identify the pathogen, kill, and remove the debris from the body.

Also Check: How To Reduce Mold Spores In The Air

Is There A Test To Determine If I Have Been Exposed To Mold

Some physicians have recommended testing for mold-specific antibodies. Thepresence of antibodies only indicates that you have been exposed to a substanceat some time. It does not tell you when you were exposed, where the exposuretook place, or how much of the mold you were exposed to. Having a positive testfor mold-specific antibodies alone is generally considered insufficient toprove that health effects reported by individuals in moisture-damaged buildingsare caused by exposure to mold.

How Mold Impacts Human Health

Toxic Mold Syndrome: What To Do About Mold Toxicity

While it may seem as though mold is just another allergen, the truth is that mold impacts the human body differently than most allergens. One reason for this is that mold is a living pathogen when it enters the human body. In fact, mold not only lives when entering the body, it can reproduce and prosper. For example, when mold is inhaled into the sinuses, the immune system reaction causes inflammation, mucous production, and moisture. Mold can now freely feed on the mucous and moisture in the sinuses and reproduces at alarming rates.

Fungal ball removed from sinuses

Large fungal balls can form inside the sinuses that often need to be removed via endoscopic sinus surgery. Mold can also cause fungal infections throughout the respiratory system as well as the gut.

I believe it is helpful to understand how mold enters the body and seek answers to numerous questions mold sufferers may have.

Why do some people in the same household get sick while others do not?
What are the long-term effects of severe mold illness?

How does mold leave the body?
What can a patient do to help their body to remove mold and toxins?
Why arent physicians recognizing, diagnosing, and treating fungal infections and toxin exposures?

What role does indoor air quality play?

Pseudohyphae of Candida Albicans in brain. PAS stain Source: Goodman Microb World. August 2013

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Mold Exposure Skin Irritation

Mold exposure can cause skin irritation in some people. The irritant effect of mold on the skin may be due to an allergic reaction or the presence of harmful substances in the mold. If you have a mold allergy, you may experience symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling of the skin when you are exposed to mold. If you are exposed to mold that contains harmful substances, you may experience symptoms such as skin irritation, burns, or rashes.

Testing For Mould In Your Home

Where mould is visible, it is generally not considered necessary to test for it in the home. However, not all mould is visible, as contamination may be in cavities or the ceiling. Generally, if you can see or smell mould, you need to clean up and remove the mould immediately, as mould can damage surfaces it grows on.

If you suspect mould contamination but cannot find the source of the problem, or if you have already taken measures to prevent mould from growing and you are still having problems, you could employ an occupational hygienist or environmental health and safety professional. For a fee, these professionals can provide specialist mould testing and consultancy services.

Recommended Reading: How To Make Crown Molding

What Symptoms Would I Experience If Mold Is An Issue For Me

If youre experiencing allergy symptoms in your home, similar to a dust or pollen allergylike itchy, watery eyes, coughing, a stuffy, runny nose, or even a rash or eczemamold might be playing a role, Dr. Parikh says. The same goes for more severe asthma symptoms than usual, like frequent asthma attacks, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Your symptoms would be different if you have a mold-related infection youll likely have a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and you may experience low blood pressure, dizziness, and even shortness of breath. But, Mold infections are actually pretty rare unless you have a very weak immune system, says Dr. Parikh. If youre immune-compromised, youll need to take any infection more seriously anyway, she adds.