Symptoms of Mold Exposure in Humans
There are three main types of symptoms that mold can cause:
- Allergic & irritant symptoms
- Toxic symptoms
- Infections
Allergic & Irritant Symptoms from Mold Exposure
Allergic symptoms are not caused by mold fragments or the spores themselves doing harm to a person's body. The allergic reactions are actually the response of the immune system trying to resist mold spores in the body.
Even a person who is not initially allergic to mold can become mold-sensitized and develop allergies from prolonged exposure to mold. The sensitization of the immune system to exposure to mold allergens is cumulative, and so a person's allergic reactions will build up and grow more severe each time they are exposed to mold.
The following symptoms can be caused by allergies to molds:
- Cold or flu like symptoms
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Irritated, itchy throat
- Blocked nose
- Itchy nose
- Runny nose
- Sinus congestion
- Sinus headaches
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Irritated, itchy skin
- Skin rash, hives
- Watery eyes
- Red, bloodshot eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Itchy ears
- Hair loss, baldness
- Hay fever symptoms
Toxic Symptoms from Exposure to Toxic Mold
There are about 16 mold species which are known as toxic molds because they emit highly toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. These mycotoxins cause symptoms in humans which are much more devastating than the allergic effects of spores from other molds. The symptoms of toxic mold include bleeding and damage to internal organs, mental impairment and other neurological issues, cancer and even death depending on the level of exposure. A detailed description of toxic mold symptoms:
Toxic Black Mold & Mycotoxin Symptoms
Mold Infections in Humans
Mold spores that are breathed into a person's lungs can begin to grow if the person's immune system is not strong enough to stop them. Therefore people with weaker immune systems such as immune-compromised people, immune-suppressed people or the elderly can suffer opportunistic infections from mold. Mold infections can also occurs in the sinuses, skin and digestive system.
Molds such as Trichoderma, Penicillium marneffei and Aspergillus fumigatus are known to opportunistically infect immuno-compromised people and can often cause death. A healthy person usually will not suffer opportunistic infections from mold spores in the air although they might suffer other types of parasitic mold infections such as athlete's foot.
Testing for Mold Symptoms in Humans
Physical Examination for Mold Symptoms
There are a few different tests available to determine if you have mold allergies. These tests can be performed for you by a medical professional such as a doctor or allergist.One way is for a doctor to conduct a simple physical examination to identify if you have mold allergies. By identifying the visible physical symptoms along with you describing all your symptoms, the doctor can identify if you have allergic reactions caused by a mold allergy.
Skin Tests for Mold Symptoms
Another way to detect mold allergies is through a skin test. This test can be done in the doctor or allergist's office where they will insert tiny drops of purified mold allergens into the surface of your skin and observe the reaction. Skin tests are actually more reliable than blood tests, although neither can detect allergies to every mold species as purified mold allergens from every type of mold are not available for allergy tests.Blood Tests for Mold Symptoms
The next type of test you can have performed to detect mold allergies is blood tests. These involve a sample of your blood being taken and then examined for the presence of mold antibodies.The MELISA (Memory Lymphocyte Immunostimulation Assay) test is one such test. The MELISA test can detect allergies to chemicals, toxins, and mold, including toxic molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium.
Like the skin test the MELISA test detects allergies by applying allergens to the sample and identifying whether there is a heightened reaction. Also like the skin test the MELISA test does not measure the amount of a mold's toxins or allergens in a person's body, only whether the person has an allergic reaction to that mold.
Other similar blood tests are the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and the RAST (radioallergosorbent) test.
Treatment for Mold Symptoms
Avoiding Mold
While there are medications and shots which you can take to treat mold allergies, the best response is to avoid exposure to mold and mold spores as much as possible. If you have mold in your home your first priority should be to get rid of it. By removing mold and its spores from your environment you will no longer be breathing in mold allergens, the cause of your allergic reactions, and you will quickly get better.
To remove mold follow this complete step by step guide to killing and removing mold in your home:
Mold Removal and Clean Up
Even if there is no longer mold in your home a build up of mold spores can still cause allergic symptoms and can also lead to new mold growth. Vacuum and clean regularly to minimize allergy-causing spores. View this page for more information about preventing mold and spores in your home:
Preventing Mold
Avoiding Food Mold
If you have mold allergies you might also find that your reactions increase after eating certain foods which contain fungus such as mushrooms and yeast. Be sure to avoid any foods which you notice have caused you allergies in the past and before eating check food for signs of mold, especially foods such as cheese, bread and fruit which mold can readily grow on if past the use by date.
Medications for Mold Symptoms
You can also take medications to reduce your allergic reaction to mold. There is medicine for allergies which you can buy directly from the pharmacy such as claratyne or zyrtec or there is medication which a doctor can prescribe for you. These usually come in the form of pills or nasal sprays.
Consult your doctor or an allergist to find out what medicine you can take for allergies and be sure to carefully follow the directions of any medications you use. It should also be remembered that these types of medications only lessen the symptoms of allergic reactions, they do not cure you of the allergy or make you any less allergic to mold in the future.
Shots for Mold Symptoms
As a final treatment option you can be given shots for allergies. However shots are usually only recommended if other medications haven't worked as there are some disadvantages. In order for you to receive shots the mold allergen that is affecting you needs to be identified. Also, you might need to take shots regularly for months or even years for them to remain effective. Like other medications, shots don't cure allergies, they just increase your tolerance to allergens and therefore lessen the symptoms of an allergic reaction.