Exposure to mold can have some unexpected symptoms for anyone. Some molds produce mycotoxins as a defense mechanism that attacks bacteria and other organisms. The FDA regulates these compounds in our foods but not in the air we breathe. They affect indoor air quality and can be detected with air quality testing.
Mycotoxins are a tiny chemical that can stay in the environment, even after a remediation has been done. Mold spores can carry the mycotoxins, but they can also become airborne. If left untreated, they can have some surprising health affects on you and your family as toxic mold symptoms are not just limited to people with allergy symptoms, hay fever or asthma.
Allergies – One of the first signs that mold growth is an issue in your home, is an increase in allergy symptoms. Affected individuals notice an increase in wheezing, coughing, and sneezing, and some highly sensitive individuals may begin to develop a rash, headache, itchy eyes or runny nose.
Respiratory Illnesses & Sinus Infections– As mold spores become more numerous in the air, the affects may be more evident. The first signs of disease are an inflamed sinus and respiratory tract. Family members may begin to experience signs of respiratory distress, such as a persistent cough and a runny nose which antibiotics may lessen, but the symptoms come right back. In fact, the antibiotic penicillin is derived from the mold penicillium which may worsen the problem. It has been reported that upwards of 98% of chronic respiratory infections are fungal related.
Digestive Problems – The liver is the body’s primary filter, and in a weakened state, it may not be able to produce enough bile to remove fat soluable toxins from the bloodstream. If you notice any dark or foul-smelling stool while using the bathroom, you may be suffering from digestive issues as a result of severe mold or mycotoxin exposure. If left untreated, the infection may affect the liver.
Brain Fog – Mycotoxin chemicals are very tiny and because they are fat soluable, they have the ability to breach the blood-brain barrier and disrupt neurotransmitter production in the body. Neurotransmitters are responsible for numerous cognitive brain functions, and a decrease in their production leads to persistant brain fog.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) occurs when mold infection begins to get out of control. This describes a condition where feelings of tiredness persist for weeks or months at a time. As the spores spread, you start to breathe in more of the mycotoxins and these toxins affect neurotransmitters that are created in the brain and control its functions.
Unusual Skin Sensations – As a result of the mold exposure infecting your skin, you may begin to develop a rash that consists of tiny red bumps where the mycotoxins inflame the pores and skin cells in the surrounding area. The spores seep into your pores and are resistant to being washed off in the shower or the bath. Using a antibacterial shower gel or body scrub will help.
Chronic Cough – Mold spores breed in the dark, damp areas of your home, and your lungs provide the ideal breeding ground where they can multiply as they please.
Blurred Vision – People who experience high-mold areas in their home may notice inflammation in the corners of their eyes. This may occur to the extent that the edges of the eyelids turn pink or red. Symptoms of itching appear soon after, and the infection then spreads to the sinus, where it creates inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and nasal cavities. If left untreated, mold infects the eyes and nose causing blurred vision and weeping.
Increased Thirst – Infected individuals may find that they start going to the bathroom a lot more frequently than usual and that no matter how much water they drink, they continually feel thirsty. As mold colonies grow and expand in your body, they start to disrupt normal body functions, such as thirst and urination.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
- Most doctors are NOT educated on environmental toxins, as this not a subject taught in medical school. If you have any of these symptoms, consult with your doctor or seek an environmental doctor that is more familiar with mold and can diagnose fungal related exposures.
- Molds and mycotoxins can both be tested for in the environment and in the body.
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