Health problems due to mould in your home

Just like for most of you, the email from our energy company with the upcoming yearly price increase felt like a virtual cold shower. Our energy costs easily doubled to an amount far higher than our monthly rent! Obviously we immediately looked for ways to save money on energy costs.
Soon we realized it was not a smart idea to follow the government's advice to be as conservative as possible and not heat our house and office beyond 19°C. Having lived most of his life with a chronically ill mom who never felt comfortable unless room temperature would be 25°C this was quite a daunting prospect for my husband, with whom I had already struck the middle ground at 21°C.
Apart from our own comfort we also have to deal with the optimal storage condition for supplements we sell. Those are stored in an airconditioned room at a humidity level of 45% or below. Without the help of a dehumidifier , humidity easily reaches 60% on rainy days. To make matters worse, it is exceedingly difficult to dehumidify a room w/o heating it to an optimal temperature.
You may wonder why it is important to control humidity levels? A humid room will cause build-up of mould which makes people sick and food (as well as supplements) spoil! We learnt this the hard way when part of our stock spoiled during a 3-week holiday in France, upon which we installed both an airconditioning as well as a dehumidifier in the storage room.

Since we have good reason to believe the vast majority of people in Europe is currently in the same position: deciding to save energy by lowering the temperatures in their houses, we believe it is a good idea to focus on that problem: mould in our homes and possible health problems arising from it. 

 

Mould and health problems

Mould can cause numerous health problems in both people from all ages as well as in pets.

During the COVID-lockdown people spent more time at home than ever before. In an effort to avoid contracting the COVID-19 virus many were forced to work at home, go to school at home, and even shop for groceries from home.

But, what if our homes are making us sick? They just might be. You could have mould growing unseen in your home. mould can cause numerous health problems.

What is mould? 

From the arctic to equator and all the places in between, mould lives literally everywhere. moulds are fungi, and grow from microscopic spores that are everywhere in the air. Moulds are important for recycling organic matter (such as leaves). The recycling process they perform returns nutrients to the soil, and is important for plants to grow. In order to grow, moulds need four things to grow: oxygen, moisture, a food source, and the right temperature range (ideal is between 25°-°30C).

Food sources

Moulds grow inside of their food sources. They penetrate deeply into drywall, carpets, floors, cabinets, underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks, etc. Anything with carbohydrates in it could be considered a food source for moulds.

Moisture

Oxygen and temperature are factors we cannot easily control when it comes to mould. So, let’s talk about what we can control – moisture.

Moisture is the one thing you can reasonably control when it comes to mould. A dry home equals a home with much less mould growth. Keeping areas dry, especially areas that use water frequently (like bathrooms), is important to prevent mould growth.

How fast do moulds grow?

Moisture behind baseboards and cabinets, wet carpet tack strips, in crawl spaces and attics, basements, and other hard to reach areas are a ticking mould time bomb. Once enough moisture is present, moulds can begin to grow in less than 48 hours! Even with fans going and mopping up the water, it may not be enough to prevent mould growth.

Does mould cause health problems?

Of course it does! Mould is an insidious, invisible predator in your home. It hides in places no one ever thinks to look like under cabinets, in crawl spaces, attics, and behind furniture. People may spend weeks, months, and even years fighting illness, and never know what they are really fighting…mould. Many only realize they have a mould problem, and not just an illness after a recommendation by their house doctor to take a closer look at their living conditions.

Mould is most often associated with allergies and asthma, but mould is much more menacing than people know. While all moulds have the potential to cause irritation and allergy symptoms, moulds can also cause much more dangerous health problems including: fungal poisoning from mycotoxins to mental health issues.

Mould comes in various colours

Before we go any further, let’s clear up the confusion about ‘black mould.’ When you read about ‘toxic black mould’ it is kind of misleading. The thing is… dangerous and toxic mould is not just black, it can be many different colours. Toxic moulds can appear to be green, yellow, brown, and black.

All moulds have the potential to cause irritation and allergy symptoms. However, some moulds can also cause much more dangerous health problems. Some moulds, but not all, produce mycotoxins. Not all moulds are toxic, but many are. Mycotoxins can cause health problems ranging from poisoning to cancer.

What is a mycotoxin?

Mycotoxins, literally ‘fungus poison’ in Latin, are secondary metabolites that can be produced by moulds, and are not living organisms. Mycotoxins are a by-product of mould. Not all mould spores produce mycotoxins, but some do. So the moulds that produce mycotoxins are the ones that could be categorized as toxic or poisonous.

So, where is the line between an allergic mould and a toxic mould? That line is defined by the presence of mycotoxins, and is NOT defined by colour. Mycotoxins are invisible and cannot be detected just by looking at the mould growth.

What do mycotoxins do?

These chemical substances can cause many health problems ranging from mild to severe. Even if you are not allergic to mould, you can be affected by mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins can be absorbed by the body in a number of ways including: through the skin, the airways (inhalation), and through the intestinal lining (ingestion). Detrimental health effects caused by mycotoxins can range from “acute poisoning to long-term effects such as immune deficiency and cancer. Chronic disease sufferers, such as people with immunosuppressive disorders or underlying lung disease may be more sensitive to moulds and mycotoxins in their environment.

One of the main ways people and pets become poisoned by mycotoxins is through eating contaminated foods. Foods such as apples, cereal grains, coffee beans, nuts, spices, dog and cat food, and more can become contaminated with fungi that produce mycotoxins.

What are the most likely symptoms of mould illness?

There are many symptoms you could experience that might indicate you’re suffering from mould illness. These are just a few symptoms you should be aware of:

Fatigue or weakness

Are you suddenly feeling constantly tired? Weak, maybe, like your body needs constant rest? While this could be because of a stressful work week or poor sleeping habits, a sudden change in your overall physical state is always a red flag.

This symptom could also mean that the mould is suppressing your immune system, exposing you to various other illnesses that otherwise may not have bothered you at all.

Headaches

One of the most well-known symptoms of mould illness is a constant headache that gradually comes out of nowhere. If you’re not prone to chronic headaches, this is an easy sign to identify.

However, too often people will brush frequent headaches off as not drinking enough water or allergies. Put simply, you ARE having an allergic reaction – but of a more severe kind. The mould in your body is inflaming and irritating your sinuses, causing headaches and often serious light sensitivity.

Chronic cough

Another seemingly obvious symptom, but another one that can easily be brushed off as a minor cold. Inhaled mould will commonly root in the lungs, causing sinus issues, shortness of breath, and a chronic cough.

This side effect can become very restricting on your ability to breathe and can potentially prove fatal if not addressed by your doctor.

Stiff joints

If you find in the mornings that you’re waking up stiff, especially with sore joints, you might be surprised to hear this is a common symptom of mould illness. The mycotoxins in the mould will often affect your joints and muscles, causing all-over pain and stiffness.

Often this is misdiagnosed by medical professionals as other, more common conditions, so if you know you have mould in your home with these symptoms, make sure to mention this crucial detail.

Urinary frequency

If you’re going to the bathroom A LOT more than usual, trace this back to why. Most likely, you’re taking in a higher-than-average amount of water. Why? Most likely because you’re insanely thirsty…do you see where we’re going with this?

Mould in your body can lead to lower production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which can lead to your chronic thirst and then to your frequent urination.

Abdominal pain

Mould can be easily absorbed into the blood stream, which means it can influence many of your internal functions negatively. One that you might not expect is your digestive tract.

Do you have sudden bouts of diarrhea, bloating, cramps, and sharp stomach pains? This may not be just food poisoning, you may be suffering from a much more serious medical issue, possibly induced by the presence of mould in your body.

Unusual skin sensations

Because it is an allergen, it’s less surprising that mould would cause external issues, too. Mainly, rashes will appear for people who are very adverse to mould.

But you don’t just need to see a red rash to know there’s an issue. Other sensations on the skin, like tingling, itching, and numbness can also mean you’re suffering from mould illness.

Appetite swings

Weird cravings? Starving one day and not hungry at all the next? This surprising mould illness symptom goes back to the neurological disruptions mould can sometimes cause.

Mould illness may influence your appetite as well as your body temperature regulation and your thirst. Often, those suffering from mould illness will have sudden hot flashes and abrupt chills, as well as an abnormally intense thirst. Which, of course, leads to…

Poor memory

Scary as it is, mould can even affect your nervous system. This means some brain functions can be compromised when mould is in the equation. Memory is often a brain function affected by mould.

With this mental symptom, you’ll find your short-term memory is disrupted, you have little to no concentration, and that you have trouble finding basic words to use.

Blurred vision

Another external irritation that often happens when we come in contact with mould is irritated eyes.

You’ll find that you have red, tearing, itchy eyes, that most people would relate back to “allergy season.” Again, you’re not wrong. You ARE having an allergic reaction, just a very serious one that you need to speak with your doctor about as soon as possible.

Mood swings

Like the strange changes to your thirst and appetite, having abrupt mood swings is another sign that your neural system has been compromised by mould illness. If you’re noticing that you’re feeling or acting in a volatile way, especially if there is no apparent cause for your emotions, it’s best to consult your doctor right away.

Metallic taste

One of the stranger, but more well-known, symptoms of mould illness is a frequent metallic taste in your mouth. Although most of us don’t eat metal, we all know what that sharp, sour taste is like on your tongue.

If you’re finding that you cannot get rid of this taste in your mouth, consult your doctor immediately. This is a serious symptom of mould illness, specifically involving black mould, which can often have the most devastating health effects.

Static shocks

Another strange symptom, but one to be wary of regardless.

That decrease in production of your antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (the same one which can lead to thirst and frequent urination) can also cause more-severe-than-normal electric shocks from static electricity. At the very least, this is a very obviously unusual symptom, so it may be easier to identify that something is out of the ordinary.

How do you diagnose mould illness?

Once you know you have visible mould in your home, you may want to find out whether your health problems are related to mould or not. Some of the tests to diagnose mould illness include:

1. Mycotoxins urine test

The most direct way to test for mould toxicity is a urine test that measures for metabolites of mould and mycotoxins as well as glutathione levels, which can be depleted when you’re exposed to mould.
This gives a better clinical picture of the type of toxins someone is dealing with and often helps guide the treatment for each patient.

2. Home testing for mould

A home test for mould called ERMI (Environmental Relative Mouldiness Index) screens for 36 mould species in dust samples you collect at home. Think about it as a way to test the health of your home in terms of mould.

If the type of moulds found on the test overlaps with the ones found on the urine test, then we know you probably have a current mould exposure in your house. If there’s no correlation, there may be other sources of exposure (for example, your office), or there could be a problem with mould exposure in the past.

While the ERMI can be very helpful, it doesn’t tell you the location in the house where there’s a mould problem. For best results, it is good to run multiple ERMI tests, preferably one for each floor in your house, and most of all in your basement.

3. Biomarker testing

Mould toxicity can cause certain abnormalities that may need to be addressed during the treatment. Some of the common biomarkers tested include Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-beta-1), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH).

Depending on the symptoms and medical history , you may want to have specific tests done for SIBO ((small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, liver and kidney function.

How long does it take to get sick from mould exposure?

Some people are so sensitive to mould they can visit a house with mould problems and have symptoms within seconds of entering. This is common in people that have already had a prior mould exposure, or mould illness. Their body is very quick to respond with symptoms.

Other people that haven’t had a prior exposure could be in the same house for a few hours without noticing any symptoms. They may feel tired the next day, or start to develop a cough, a runny nose or get headaches, or they may be just fine.

Some people can be in a mouldy environment every day for several years until noticing symptoms.

So, depending on a person’s immune system, genetic susceptibility to mould, prior exposure, the types of moulds that are present in the environment and their capacity, there are a lot of factors that play a role in the symptoms, and their severity.

How to treat mould sickness?

Treating mould illness should always be personalized since mould toxicity can affect people differently. Some of the basic steps include:

1. Stop mould exposure

First and foremost, in order to start healing from mould illness, it is absolutely critical to make sure the environment is safe. Keep in mind, mould inspection and mould remediation require a level of expertise that goes beyond standard repair. So it is important to work with professionals specialized in mould.

If mould is found in the inspection, it is best not to be present in the house during mould remediation, especially if you know your home has Stachybotrys or Chaetomium. If not done properly, disturbing the mould can release more mycotoxins into the air which can worsen your symptoms.

On that note, walking away from your home during remediation is never an easy thing to do. If it’s not possible, cleaning a “safe” room may help with some symptom relief, although it is not a permanent solution. Mycotoxins can easily travel through the air, and you are still going to have some exposure to other areas in the house (kitchen, bathroom) that may have a mould problem. Work with your provider and together explore the next best steps.

2. Nutritional support

Many of those suffering from mould illness are nutritionally depleted.
Keep in mind, some nutrients such as B vitamins enhance the body’s ability to detox, so it is important to go low and slow.
The nutritional support each person may need can be very specific, though some of the supplements most often used include:

Glutathione. Supports the body’s detoxification pathways and helps eliminate more mycotoxins from the body. Some people are dealing with such high toxicity levels that they may feel sick from detoxifying large amounts of mycotoxins after they take glutathione. .

Fish oil: Helps reduce inflammation and lower high levels of Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Key antioxidant that can protect the mitochondria from free radical damage and help with energy production.

3. Mycotoxins binders

Certain substances have the ability to bind to toxins such as mycotoxins, so they can be eliminated through bowel movements. For mould illness treatment, natural binders such as activated charcoal or bentonite clay may help.

When taking binders:
take away from food, medications and supplements, as binders may prevent them from being absorbed.
drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and constipation.
make sure you have at least one bowel movement every day. Binders will increase toxin elimination, so it’s crucial your bowels are functioning properly.

4. Additional therapies & considerations

Lower chemical load. Reduce exposure to potential toxins found in common household, personal care, and beauty products, as well as foods.
Far infrared sauna therapy. Can help increase toxin excretion via sweat, urine, and stool. Some people can only tolerate three to five minutes, so start slow and see how you feel. To avoid dehydration, make sure to drink extra water and have electrolytes onboard prior to the sauna.
Red light therapy help support the mitochondria, improve circulation and reduce inflammation.

Is there a special diet for mould illness?

Generally speaking, adding a restrictive diet on top of all the other steps in the treatment can make people feel very overwhelmed.
A good place to start for most people is to eliminate sugars and focus on organic whole foods based healthy eating.
However, some people with gut issues, food sensitivities or other concerns may need a more specific diet.

How long does it take to heal from mould illness?

Most of the time when people are able to get out of the mouldy environment and stop the mould exposure, they start feeling better within weeks to months. Keep in mind, mould illness can affect the entire body. It may take the body three to five years to completely heal from the damage caused by years of mould exposure.

The duration of the mould exposure, the types of mould, how fast the body eliminates mould, genetic susceptibility to mycotoxins, toxin load, and other factors all play a role in the time it takes to heal from mould illness.

Don’t give mould a chance to grow! A few easy tips to prevent mould:

Keep indoor humidity between 40-60 percent by using a dehumidifier when it goes beyond 60%.
Use an oscillating fan after you shower. Helps to dry all wet areas when you’re out of the shower.
New houses can have mould issues too. People are often surprised to learn that mould issues in new homes is also common. Modern building guidelines do not usually look at mould prevention as their main priority. If you have an opportunity to move to a new building, it is always best to work with reputable professionals who specialize in mould and have them inspect the home.