If you stay in a mold-infested home, you may experience different types of symptoms. While most people may not notice, symptoms of mold exposure are real and quite common. These symptoms can affect anyone—renters, landlords, or even employees working in mold-prone environments. While some symptoms are mild and will go away on their own, some are toxic and cannot be ignored.
What is Mold?
Molds are fungi that grow in damp, warm environments, both indoors and outdoors. These microorganisms play a crucial role in digesting and breaking down organic materials in the ecosystems, including fallen trees and dead leaves. They also help in creating antibiotics like penicillin. However, certain types of molds are toxic and can have negative impacts on our health.
In homes, mold grows in places with a high humidity level, such as bathrooms and basements. It thrives where there is a lot of moisture, like pipes, roofs, tile, wood floors, and ceiling tiles. Water leaks in these places create an environment where mold can flourish. However, you can be exposed to molds anywhere, including where you work or go to school. Buildings and structures with poor ventilation, drainage, and plumbing are usually prone to mold growth.
What is Mold Toxicity?
Mold toxicity is a condition that people develop when exposed to too much mold or spores that they are already sensitive to. Certain types of molds are also known to cause some form of toxicity or health issues. Some people have mold sensitivity or allergies to naturally occurring toxins that are known as mycotoxins. These mycotoxins are emitted by mold spores and can have significant impacts on health, especially for people with weakened immune systems.
What Are the Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Symptoms of mold exposure can be either an immune reaction or chemical reactions to mold spores. Immune reaction to mold spores involves allergy symptoms or allergic rhinitis. The most common ones include a runny or stuffy nose, itchy skin, skin rash, itchy eyes, and asthma symptoms like shortness of breath.
Chemical or inflammatory reaction to mold, on the other hand, comprises symptoms driven by mycotoxins. When the mycotoxins get into the body, they can cause toxic reactions. For instance, individuals who are immunocompromised or have chronic lung diseases may develop mold infections in their airways called mycoses. These infections can activate mast cells, which are part of the immune system, and cause symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, sinusitis, and even cognitive impairment.
Long-Term Mold Exposure Symptoms
While the range of mold exposure symptoms tends to differ significantly, most cannot be ignored. It is equally important to recognize the symptoms of mold toxicity for early detection and treatment. The following are some of the most evident symptoms of long-term mold exposure:
- Cognitive difficulties such as poor memory, brain fog, and anxiety
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Pain in the abdomen or muscles similar to fibromyalgia
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Digestive issues such as limited tolerance to food and persistent bloating
- Numbness and tingling in the extremities
- Changes in mood
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
- Significant fatigue that interferes with daily activities
- Symptoms that resemble hormone imbalances, such as hair loss and rashes
- Excessive thirst and dehydration
- Bed-wetting in children
Overall, the symptoms of mold exposure are induced by mycotoxins and tend to vary greatly without any pattern. They are also not unique to any kind of illness, which makes them easily mistaken for something else. Due to such factors, mold exposure symptoms are also difficult to diagnose. However, you should ignore any of the symptoms highlighted above.
To address these symptoms, you need to eliminate exposure. By eliminating the sources of mold from the environment, you can avoid such symptoms. This should be followed up by addressing the specific symptoms you are experiencing, such as sinus and lung health. Your medical provider will give you treatment to alleviate symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.
Hire Professional Mold Experts to Assess Your Home
Preventing mold exposure can be tricky, given the multiple sources around you. If you suspect you or your family member is experiencing symptoms associated with mold, get in touch with us today. Our professional mold inspectors will examine your home and determine whether you have mold growing or the potential of having mold. We will then recommend courses of action to remove the mold and prevent further infestation.
