12 Signs of Mold Sickness
#1. Headaches
Widely recognized as a common symptom of mold illness, chronic headaches can make a sudden and unwelcome appearance in your life when you are exposed to mold. Oftentimes headaches are brushed off as a side effect of dehydration, eye strain from lengthy computer use, or allergies. In reality, the severity and frequency of these headaches could be a product of inhaling mold into your system, which aggravates your sinuses.#2. Itchy Throat, Eyes, and Nose
Just like a guard dog fending off unwanted intruders, our immune system wards off unwanted guests, like mold spores, by releasing histamines. Histamines are chemicals that your immune system makes to help your body get rid of foreign substances (like allergies). As histamines work to remove allergens from our bodies, it causes us to experience an array of symptoms, such as itchy and watery eyes, sore throat, and runny nose.#3. Feeling Weak and Lethargic
When your daily routine – grocery shopping, cooking dinner, or simply making yourself presentable before you hit the work day – suddenly becomes exhausting, it’s a red flag. The constant need to crawl into bed, or a noticeable change in how you feel physically, could be a symptom of mold weakening your immune system.#4. Impaired Memory
Mold illness can negatively affect the body’s nervous system, preventing our brain’s capacity to function normally. As mold tampers with your cognitive ability, you could experience difficulty concentrating, short-term memory loss, and struggle to find the right words when speaking.#5. Coughing
Similar to the other symptoms, coughing is often misdiagnosed as a side effect of the common cold. However, when we breathe mold in, it burrows deep in the lungs, causing a chronic cough. Over time, a chronic cough can hinder your ability to breathe fully, leading to more severe health issues.#6. Shortness of Breath & Wheezing
One of the more widespread symptoms caused by mold exposure is wheezing. When mold’s microscopic spores are inhaled, they make a speedy assault on our bronchial tubes, throat, and lungs, causing inflammation. This swelling can restrict airflow and lead to wheezing and shortness of breath. When airways are obstructed and narrowed due to wheezing, it can make it difficult for you to breathe normally. Those who suffer from respiratory conditions, such as asthma, should be extremely cautious when it comes to mold exposure as it can cause life-threatening problems, including a full-scale asthma attack.Get Our Free "Where to check for mold ?" Guide
#7. Irregular Appetite
From fluctuating hunger levels to unusual cravings, a disruption in neurological functioning, as discussed above, is known to cause appetite changes. Any inexplicable shift in your daily eating habits is a symptom connected with mold illness. In addition to an irregular appetite, mold exposure can also affect temperature regulation in our bodies, resulting in an excessive, unsatisfiable thirst. This abnormally powerful need to increase your water intake is often accompanied by abrupt (and sometimes intense) chills and hot flashes.
#8. Stiff & Painful Joints
Be attentive to how your body feels when you wake up each morning and throughout the day. If you notice a sudden and persistent stiffness or soreness in your joints, this is likely an indication that you’ve fallen victim to mold illness. When mycotoxins, the toxic chemicals found in mold, worm their way into our bodies, they inflict pain and stiffness on our otherwise healthy muscles and joints.
#9. Mood Swings
Just like the unexpected changes in your appetite and level of thirst, mold illness can cause a series of sudden mood swings due to its effect on your nervous system. From angry outbursts to an inexplicable urge to cry, any abrupt changes to your mood and behavior should be reported to your doctor immediately. Your doctor can test you for mycotoxin (mold) exposure.
#10. Stomach Pain
If you’re suddenly and unexpectedly becoming well acquainted with the bathroom due to sessions of intense stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating or cramps, it may not be a reaction to the questionable seafood you enjoyed while dining out. Once mold is inhaled, your bloodstream can soak it up like a sponge, throwing your normal internal functioning out of whack. Your digestive system is one area that’s negatively impacted by the absorption of mold into the bloodstream. Mold illness has the power to induce severe abdominal pain, as well as a number of more pressing medical concerns.
#11. Metallic-Like Taste
While regularly tasting a metallic flavor on your tongue is a widely recognized side effect of mold exposure, it certainly is one of the stranger items on the list. Assuming that your Tuesday night meal wasn’t seasoned with a sprinkle of metal, the appearance of a metallic taste in your mouth that refuses to leave – no matter how many times you brush your teeth – is a sign you should immediately contact your doctor about mold illness. The unsavory taste of metal on your tongue is not only extremely uncomfortable, but it is commonly associated with black mold, which harbors some of the more destructive health concerns compared to other strains.
#12. Blurry Vision
Another very pressing symptom that requires immediate medical attention is blurred vision, which can occure as a result of coming in contact with mold. Eye irritation, including itchy and watery eyes, is commonly brushed off as a seasonal allergy. However, when blurry vision becomes a constant issue, it may mean you are experiencing a very serious allergic reaction due to mold exposure and should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What’s Next?
If you’ve been exhibiting any of these symptoms and believe that mold may be present in your home, it’s time to take action and protect yourself and your loved ones from further exposure. We’ve put together a room-by-room guide outlining where to check for mold in your home and how to address it. Download our free guide today to start living healthier!