Introduction
Mold toxicity is also called mycotoxicosis or mold poisoning. It is caused by:
- Exposure to soggy and humid environments where oxygen is present.
- The mycotoxins produced by the fungi(molds) on various foods most commonly bread, and cereals.
To prevent it you should know 10 warning signs of Mold Toxicity because long exposure to any category of harmful molds can lead to various neurological, respiratory, allergic, and vascular ailments. As molds are so common in life avoiding them is nearly impossible because you face them in homes, offices, and virtually everywhere in the environment.
It has been frequently asked query that how to diagnose mold toxicity, you can diagnose it by various tests like blood tests and urine tests that measure the metabolites of mold and glutathione levels (whose level is affected if exposed to mycotoxins).
What is mold?
Molds are masses of mycelium produced by fungi through asexual reproduction. Their appearance is dust-like as they reproduce through spore formation. They exist all around in the environment i.e. in air, in soil, and land. The presence of spores varies differently according to different seasons. Spores are most predominant in spring to mid-autumn but habitually in late summer. When spores land in damp areas they begin to grow into molds and are released into the atmosphere through which they are inhaled or swallowed or encountered to the epidermis (outer layer of skin) causing allergic reactions.
Molds may be:
- Outdoor molds like Cladosporium found mostly in the fall season (freely in the environment, grow on leaves, rotting wood)
- Indoor molds like penicillium found perennial or round the year (in kitchens, bathrooms, damp corners of houses, etc)
What is mold toxicity?
Toxicity is caused by mold spores and mold biotoxins which cause respiratory disorders to skin infections such as rashes and severe systemic inflammatory illness. This type of toxicity can also distress the immune response. Sometimes also called sick building syndrome. If the encounter with mold is prolonged it can cause death also. Not only animals, mold toxicity also damages plants by decomposing them.
Is Mold Toxicity Dangerous?
Yes, it is. So, eradicate it before it becomes deadly.
You may confuse mold toxicity with mold allergy, but these are not analogous terms. Some persons are allergic to molds as same as asthmatic patients are to pollens. Those persons may face some allergic reactions on their skin or feel shortness of breath. Taking any type of anti-allergy or keeping the environment clean can reduce it. On the other hand, mold toxicity can lead to chronic symptoms unlike allergy it does not fade away by avoiding the presence of toxic molds or by keeping the environment clean.
10 Warning Signs of Mold Toxicity
Mold toxicity is notorious for its difficult diagnosis. So here are some early warning signs that can help you diagnose mold toxicity before the symptoms become severe.
| Insomnia | Migraines and Body aches |
| Asthma Episodes | Hypersensitivity Reactions and Tearing Eyes(epiphora) |
| Raw Throat and Coughing | Gastrointestinal issues and Frequent Urination |
| Emotional Liability and Anxiety | Lethargy and Weakness |
| Mental Fog and Episodes of Vertigo | Sinusitis |
1. Insomnia
Also called sleeplessness. Mold Toxicity also leads to the disruption of sleep. In this situation, you cannot sleep properly because of the poor environment, you stay awake throughout the night and your sleep cycle is disturbed. It may cause many other underlying problems like lack of consciousness or tiredness.
2. Migraines and Body Aches
Mold Toxicity may result in migraines (cephalalgia), persistent headaches or body aches, mainly joint pains and Muscle cramps. You feel throbbing and pulsating pain in your head or your body, as the mycotoxins cause vasodilation which affects the blood flow pattern. If not treated, it can become severe or can cause further fungal joint deformities if you have immunity.
3. Asthma Episodes
If you encounter attacks of asthma, in which you feel shortness of breath often associated with wheezing (a condition in which the lung makes a whistling sound) due to the constriction of bronchioles, then it can indicate mold toxicity.
4. Hypersensitivity Reactions and Tearing Eyes
Mycotoxins cause hypersensitivity reactions like any kind of infection on your skin or some kind of allergic reactions like hives (itchy welts) or rashes on your skin irritation in your eyes or watery eyes (in which the tear ducts are blocked) or light sensitivity(photophobia). These allergic reactions vary in time they can occur immediately after mold exposure or can take their time to appear.
5. Raw Throat or Coughing
Mold exposures also cause sore throat, itchy throat, congestion (irregular accumulation of fluid) that may be nasal or blood congestion in the lower extremities, coughing sometimes bloody cough, and chest tightness.
6. Gastrointestinal Issues and Disturbed frequency of urination
Mold spores when inhaled can irritate your digestive system. After their ingestion, you may feel abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, intestinal deformity, and diarrhea. The mycotoxins that mold spores release can cause malfunctioning of the GIT tract. These toxins also disturb the thirst cycle, you may feel excessive thirst due to frequent urination.
7. Emotional liability and Anxiety
Having abnormal mood swings, depression hypertension, or any type of emotional liability are the main signs of mold toxicity. It is believed that mycotoxins can impair the normal functioning of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin leading to an imbalance of mood. Thus, causing confusion, anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
8. Lethargy and Weakness
If you have unexplained fatigue and weakness that most probable that you have mold toxicity because it is considered that mycotoxins do oxidative damage that interrupts the normal functioning of mitochondria and it fails to produce sufficient A.T.P. and you feel tired. The mold spores when inhaled accumulate in the nasal opening causing it to block thus reducing the oxygen intake and also causing lethargy.
9. Mental Fog and Episodes of Vertigo
Mental fog also referred to as Brain Fog known as the inability to concentrate. The Biotoxins formed by molds can effortlessly pass through blood blood-brain barrier and infect neural and neuropsychological functioning. So, if you are losing your concentration and coordination control or facing vertigo episodes (feeling of shakiness and spinning of the environment) regularly then you have mold toxicity.
10. Sinusitis
Sinusitis is often labeled as inflammation of the sinuses (spaces around the nose). Exposure of mold spores causes to inflame or swell the sinuses which leads to nasal congestion. Fungal sinusitis is also another form of sinusitis which occurs due to mycotoxins.
How to prevent Mold Toxicity?
As you have already read the adverse effects of Mold toxicity so to reduce the accumulation of molds is the best way to prevent mold toxicity. It can be achieved by following the steps given below;
- Dry the damp or moist places indoors quickly
- Use dehumidifiers to maintain indoor humidity between 25%-30%
- Do proper ventilation
- Regularly examine water pipes and fix leaks if present
- Use mold-resilient ingredients
How to neutralize Mold Toxicity?
If you want to detoxify the effects of mold toxicity or to control it before it becomes worse. Then, track subsequent measures.
- Reduce the intake of food that has a high content of water like slices of bread, cheese, and yeast as they are more susceptible to the growth of molds.
- Increase the intake of milk as it is the best natural remedy to neutralize any type of toxicity.
- Grapefruit has also been very beneficial for neutralizing toxicity.
- Include Garlic in your diet as it contains antifungal properties. For toxic molds, it will prove beneficial.
- Evade sugar from the diet because fungi are considered to grow vigorously on it.
How to recover from Toxic Molds?
The very first part of recovery should be to avoid or remove molds from your surroundings. Still, after that, if you face the above-mentioned warning signs then you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Medical treatment will help to alleviate symptoms by supplements. For example; antihistamines and N.S.A.I.D.S will help to reduce hypersensitivity reactions.
Duration of Recovery
It depends on the exposure of mold spores. If there is a short time of exposure then it will take 1 or 2 weeks to recover but if there is prolonged exposure then it will take a few months to recover.
Conclusion
We have discussed 10 early warning signs of mold toxicity. The inhalation and ingestion of mold spores from damaging species of molds can cause adverse effects on cognitive, neurological, respiratory, and digestive disorders. If you diagnose these warning signs, first of all, try to neutralize it and avoid the places
How do molds affect human health?
Mold spores release damaging biotoxins called mycotoxins which interrupt the normal functioning in humans. These toxins cause different hypersensitivity reactions, cognitive problems, indigestion, respiratory deformities, and psychological illness.
Are all molds toxic?
No. All molds are not toxic. For example; Nigrospora and one of the black molds that is Cladosporium are not toxic, even if in damp places they do not cause harmful effects on human life.
Which supplements help to remove molds from the body?
Glutathione helps to detoxify the toxicity of molds. To alleviate symptoms use Antihistamines tablets that are Cetirizine and Loratadine. Vitamins C and vitamins D also boost immunity so take it along with probiotics.
Can I get rid of toxic molds if present in my home?
If you have toxic molds in your home and you are suffering from mold toxicity then without proper gear your direct exposure to a toxic mold environment can make your condition more critical. So, look up a professional mold remediation organization.
When should I seek a doctor for mold toxicity?
If you have symptoms like dizziness, sleeplessness, cough, wheezing, eye irritation, skin rashes, anxiety, shortness of breath, memory loss and nasal congestion. Then you should consult a professionals health experts.
