Many households and businesses across America face a silent killer. Like carbon monoxide poisoning. Mold toxicity manifests in unseen ways, gradually leading to ill health and, in some cases, death.
Some of the warning signs of mold toxicity include fatigue and weakness, headaches and migraines, sleep disruptions, sinus issues, and respiratory problems. Those suffering from this form of toxicity also experience neurological, cognitive, mental health, and gastrointestinal issues; joint and muscle pain and inflammation; and allergic reactions.
If untreated, it can have severe health consequences. Therefore, it must be identified as soon as possible, the sufferer must undergo treatment, and the source of the mold must be removed with utmost urgency.
Read here to learn more about mold toxicity, its symptoms, and how to prevent toxic mold from thriving in your home or office.
10 Warning Signs Of Mold Toxicity
Recognizing the symptoms or warning signs of mold toxicity is crucial in realizing your house or office has a mold problem. Pinpointing a mold infestation can help in its prompt mold removal and treating the associated health problems.
Let's look at the 10 common signs of mold exposure:
1. Fatigue and weakness
Those constantly exposed to mold spores and the mycotoxins released by these spores often experience unexplained episodes of fatigue and weakness.
Inhaled spores end up in the nasal passages and migrate to the lungs. The build-up of spores then causes inflammation of the lungs as the body reacts to these foreign objects. The inflammation can cause a layer of phlegm, reducing the lungs' oxygen intake and leading to chronic fatigue syndrome and weakness.
Additionally, the mycotoxins released by the spores can impair mitochondrial function in bodily cells, causing oxidative damage on a cellular level. This further reduces oxygen uptake, adding to fatigue and making it challenging to perform daily tasks and activities.
2. Recurring headaches or migraines
Another common symptom of mold exposure is frequent headaches or migraines.
Mold causes the immune system to react and fight off the unwelcome invaders, leading to inflammation that causes persistent headaches or severe migraines.
Many patients often notice their headaches and migraines subsiding or going away after leaving a particular room, which can help indicate a mold infestation in that room.
3. Sleep disruptions
Individuals who frequently struggle to fall and stay asleep may also suffer from mold toxicity.
The inhaled spores, once again due to the body's inflammatory reaction, can cause insomnia and frequent night-time waking, impairing sleep length and quality.
4. Neurological and cognitive issues
In severe cases, the nervous system can be affected.
Mold toxicity can cross the brain-blood barrier and affect the brain and nervous system. This can lead to symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, and headaches. Patients may also struggle with confusion, memory loss, and impaired balance.
Healthcare workers noticed instances of dementia and cognitive and physical disability in patients who experienced chronic fungal biotoxin exposure. Neuropathy also occurs in some patients where the destruction of nerve cells can lead to numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the extremities.
5. Mental issues and mood changes
Prolonged exposure to mycotoxins can also affect the brain's neurotransmitter function, causing depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability.
The toxins produced by spores impair dopamine and serotonin production, leading to mental issues and mood imbalances, affecting personal and work relationships.
6. Sinus issues
Another common symptom of mold toxicity is frequent nasal and sinus congestion. Just like when exposed to excessive amounts of pollen, the build-up of spores in your nasal passages causes an inflammatory reaction, leading to a blocked nose and sinus infections.
Patients may also experience episodes of allergic fungal sinusitis when exposed to mold spores.
7. Respiratory problems
The pneumonia and irritation caused by the inhaled spores can cause patients to cough and wheeze, and experience nasal congestion, frequent sinus infections, and shortness of breath. The spores can contribute to the development of asthma and trigger severe asthma attacks.
Furthermore, spores and mycotoxins in the respiratory system can aggravate bronchitis.
8. Gastrointestinal issues
Mycotoxins also irritate the lining of the digestive tract, causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal discomfort, and bleeding.
These mycotoxins also kill off the "good" bacteria in your gut, throwing one's intestinal microbiome off balance and impairing the intestinal barrier function. This can lead to food sensitivities and decreased nutrient uptake.
Patients affected by this often suffer from a weakened immune system and appetite and weight loss.
9. Muscle aches and joint pain
Exposure to mycotoxins and mold can lead to pain and chronic inflammation in the joints and muscles.
The mycotoxins can also cause fungal arthritis, leading to swelling, pain, and inflammation in the joints.
10. Allergic reactions
As the body's natural defenses go into overdrive, patients exposed to high and constant levels of mycotoxins may experience hypersensitivity reactions, characterized by itchy, watery eyes and a scratchy throat. These reactions may also cause skin rashes that result in itching, burning, persistent skin irritation, and, in some cases, eczema.
Chronic exposure to mycotoxins and mold can lead to conditions such as chronic inflammatory response syndrome. This can worsen asthma and trigger other autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a fungus that grows in various environments and occurs both indoors and outdoors. It thrives in damp, warm, and humid conditions and helps break down organic matter.
Molds differ from other fungi because their cells grow and fuse, forming a network of tiny threads called hyphae. These hyphae can fragment and be inhaled, leading to an allergic response and health issues in the human body.
Molds also reproduce by forming spores, which are dispersed into the air, floating on air currents to new locations where they start growing new colonies.
What is mold toxicity?
Some molds also produce mycotoxins - toxic compounds that can affect human health when ingested or inhaled.
Mold toxicity is known as mycotoxicosis and is a health condition caused by exposure to these mycotoxins.
Mycotoxicosis can lead to allergic responses, invasive mold infections, toxicity, and reduced immune function.
The severity of toxicity and the resultant immune response depends on the type of mycotoxin exposure, the duration of exposure, and your overall health.
How long does it take to show symptoms of mold toxicity?
As with any other irritant, the time it takes to show mold toxicity symptoms will vary from person to person.
Those with severe mold allergies will show signs, such as headaches and upper respiratory tract symptoms, almost immediately. It might take longer to note mold exposure in others, especially in individuals with healthier, more robust immune systems.
Mold exposure and the effects of mycotoxins can, however, affect people over weeks, gradually building from less obvious, non-dangerous effects to more severe, deep-rooted, and damaging effects.
Seek professional help as soon as you note any symptoms of mold toxicity.
Preventing Mold Toxicity
Preventing mold from thriving in your home or office is the most vital step in preventing exposure and possible health consequences.
Mold-proof your home or office
Because molds prefer warm, moist, and humid conditions, it's vital to keep your home and office buildings dry and to prevent their growth.
Follow these tips to prevent unwanted mold growth:
Maintain a dry indoor environment:Â Identify and fix water leaks and damage and use dehumidifiers to keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50%. Increase ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms to improve indoor air quality and discourage mold growth.
Dry any wet areas immediately: Promptly dry water spills to prevent moisture build-up and discourage indoor mold growth.
Regularly inspect your home for signs of mold:Â Discoloration on walls and ceilings, musty odors, and water damage can indicate a mold infestation.
Use mold-resistant building materials and cleaning products:Â These materials and products are designed to kill mold spores and prevent mold infestations.
Calling in the professionals
If you suspect your home or office may have a mold problem, let Chore-ology help pinpoint and confirm the infestation.
Chore-ology's team of professionals has the necessary training and experience to identify and remove dangerous mold growth, ensuring your health and safety. If not addressed urgently, a mold infestation can lead to mold toxicity and mycotoxin exposure that can harm your family and employees' health.
Contact Chore-ology today to learn about our range of biohazard decontamination and other household cleaning services.