Mould and Health

Why handling mould is so important

Both Mould & Mould Mycotoxins* Can Cause Health Problems

(* myco = Greek for fungus, toxin = a poisonous substance).
These toxins include the generally invisible spores in the air that enable mould to spread. Normal cleaning, even with “mould removal” products, can do more harm than good by releasing these into the air and spreading them.

Mould affects different people in different ways

Exposure to mould can cause allergic reactions, and repeated exposure can make these more severe. The problems are worse indoors.

Children and infants

Because their immune systems are less developed, infants and children are among those most affected by mould and mould-related illnesses. The effects of mould on young people can include wheezing, coughing, congestion, a stuffy nose, poor sleep, and asthma.

Pregnant women

The U.S. CDC says women have special medical needs during pregnancy, and that they should protect themselves by “staying away from mouldy or dirty places.” Their mould-related symptoms can include respiratory problems, skin conditions, and allergy-like reactions.

People with allergies

“People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mould,” according to the US CDC and our extensive experience with both families suffering from mould problems, and the physicians who are treating them.

The elderly

Older people may have more vulnerable immune systems, making mould a problem of concern for many. Signs of mould exposure can include fatigue, coughing, headaches, itchy skin or eyes, difficulty breathing, and flu-like symptoms.

Women

The women in a household are often the first to recognize that an air quality or mould issue might exist, and studies show this to be true. Mould toxicity can cause hormonal imbalances, headaches, migraines, rashes, sleep issues, and brain fog.

Health symptoms that can be caused by mould

Moulds have the potential to cause health problems.
“Allergic reactions to mould are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Moulds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mould exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.”
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Symptoms to watch out for

Allergic reactions, Congestion, skin rashes, headaches

“Allergic reactions to moulds are the most common health effects in people, including symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. People without allergies, but who are exposed to mould, likewise may experience symptoms, including eye irritation, sore throat, congestion, skin rash, and headaches.” — National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH), “Mold and Your Health,” November 2021

Asthma

“Asthma is a chronic airway disease characterized by inflammation. Exposure to mould and dampness indoors is associated with increased risk of developing asthma in young children, and more severe asthma in people who have the disease.
“Many studies show that mould exposure can worsen asthma symptoms, especially among young children. Some examples of findings follow.
• Infants who live in mouldy homes were three times more likely to develop asthma by age 7.
• Babies exposed to mould were more likely to have asthma as young children.
• Some children may be exposed to mould in school, which can cause significantly more asthma symptom days than in school children who were not exposed.” — National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH), “Mold and Your Health,” November 2021

Asthma symptoms

“Moulds can trigger asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough in people with known allergies. People who do not have allergies can also become irritated.” — National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, “Indoor Environmental Quality,” last reviewed February 25, 2022

Brain fog, depression, anxiety

“Mould toxicity can manifest in different ways in people. It’s more commonly linked to physical problems, such as difficulty breathing, fatigue, and headaches, but research shows that it can present itself in a psychiatric way, too. This includes brain fog, depression, anxiety, problems concentrating, and insomnia. Some people present just physical or psychiatric symptoms, while others can get a mix of the two. This means that people are seeking and receiving treatment for a mental illness that only exists because of their exposure to mould. Research has also found that a vulnerability to mould toxicity is present in 25% of the population, which is often due to a genetic predisposition. Due to this, a family can be living in the same home and only one person presents symptoms.” — Mental Health Connecticut, “Could Mold Be Affecting Your Mental Health?,” March 26, 2020

Burning, itchy, red or watery eyes

“Exposure to substances such as pollen or mould spores can cause your eyes to become red, itchy, and watery. These are symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
“Allergic conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation resulting from an allergic reaction to substances like pollen or mold spores.” – Healthline, “Allergic Conjunctivitis,” Updated May 16, 2022

“Mould can cause many health effects. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash.” – U.S. Centers for Disease Control, “Mold,” Last Reviewed Nov. 14, 2022

Coughing or wheezing

“Mould can cause many health effects. For some people, mould can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash.” – U.S. Centers for Disease Control, “MOLD,” Last Reviewed Nov. 14, 2022

Dry, scaly skin

“A mould allergy causes the same signs and symptoms that occur in other types of upper respiratory allergies. Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by a mould allergy can include:
• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough and postnasal drip
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Watery eyes
• Dry, scaly skin” — Mayo Clinic, “Mold Allergy,” June 21, 2021

Feeling physically miserable

“If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mould spores. A mould allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes and other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, a mould allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms.” — Mayo Clinic, “Mold Allergy,” June 21, 2021

Hay-fever-type symptoms

Allergic responses [to mould] include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.” – U.S Environmental Protection Agency, “Mold and Health,” Last Update May 5, 2022

Inflammation and immune system changes

“Inflammation and immune system changes may be caused by long-term exposure to mycotoxins.” — National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH), “Mold and Your Health,” November 2021

Nasal stuffiness

“Mould can be found indoors and outdoors all year round. Exposure symptoms include nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing.” — U.S. Dept of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), “Mold”

Nose, throat and lung irritation

“Mould exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.” – U.S Environmental Protection Agency, “Mold and Health,” Last Update May 5, 2022

Respiratory problems and sickness

“Some moulds cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. And a few moulds, in the right conditions, produce ‘mycotoxins,’ poisonous substances that can make people sick.” — US Department of Agriculture, “Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous?,” Last updated August 22, 2013

Shortness of breath or chest tightness

“If you have a mould allergy and asthma, your asthma symptoms can be triggered by exposure to mold spores. In some people, exposure to certain molds can cause a severe asthma attack. Signs and symptoms of asthma include:
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness.” — Mayo Clinic, “Mold Allergy,” June 21, 2021

Stuffy nose or sore throat

Upper respiratory allergies

“A mould allergy causes the same signs and symptoms that occur in other types of upper respiratory allergies. Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by a mold allergy can include:
• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough and postnasal drip
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Watery eyes
• Dry, scaly skin” — Mayo Clinic, “Mold Allergy,” June 21, 2021

Different types of mould affect us in different ways:

Allergenic

Allergenic moulds can produce allergy-like reactions or symptoms in people who breathe in spores or come into contact with them. Allergenic moulds can cause congestion, diarrhea, dizziness, sneezing, a runny nose, itching, and/or dry skin. Allergenic moulds can also trigger asthma-like episodes.

Aspergillus • Alternaria • Cladosporium • Penicillium • Fusarium • Epicoccum

Pathogenic

Pathogenic moulds can produce illnesses, infections, or diseases in people even if they are otherwise healthy. These effects can range from skin and nail infections, to systemic reactions that may even become life-threatening, such as lung, kidney, and liver diseases or infections. .

Aspergillus flavus • Alternaria • Cladosporium • Penicillium • Fusarium • Epicoccum

Toxigenic

Toxigenic moulds are mould species or genus that may produce a toxin, of which there are 20 common ones. These toxins are a metabolic byproduct called mycotoxins. Mycotoxin is derived from the Greek words for fungus + toxin. Toxigenic moulds can cause a toxic response in people and animals.

Fusarium • Penicillium • Aspergillus niger • Stachybotrys chartarum

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Mould and Health

Mould and Health

Why handling mould is so important

Both Mould & Mould Mycotoxins* Can Cause Health Problems

Mould affects different people in different ways

Children and infants

Pregnant women

People with allergies

The elderly

Women

Health symptoms that can be caused by mould

Symptoms to watch out for

Different types of mould affect us in different ways:

Allergenic

Pathogenic

Toxigenic

Call us now on 0000 000 0000or enter your details below for a fast response

Call us now on 0000 000 0000
or enter your details below for a fast response