Yes, doctors can often tell if mold is making you sick, primarily by diagnosing mold allergies through skin prick tests or blood tests (measuring IgE antibodies), looking at your medical history and symptoms, and sometimes using imaging like X-rays for lung issues, though diagnosing mold toxicity itself can be complex and might require specialized testing for mycotoxins, as many standard doctors aren't trained in mold illness.
Besides considering symptoms, a healthcare professional might do a physical exam to look for or rule out other medical conditions. Tests used to diagnose an allergy include: Skin prick test. This test uses diluted amounts of common or suspected allergens, such as molds found in the local area.
Imaging tests such as a chest X-ray or CT scan can help with diagnosis because your doctor may be able to spot a nodule or fungal mass on your lung, caused by the mold, that would prompt your doctor to do further testing. If they are still unsure, a tissue biopsy may be the best way to get a clear diagnosis.
Urine mycotoxin tests are ideal for testing yourself (and your family members) for mycotoxin exposure. They're absolutely painless, totally non-invasive, and incredibly easy to use. With just a small amount of urine, our experts will be able to spot up to 15 different illness-causing mycotoxins.
It's not uncommon for kids to develop croup, pneumonia, or bronchitis if there is mold growth due to water damage in the home. Croup — An inflammation or blockage of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. Children will start to experience shortness of breath.
What are symptoms and effects of mold exposure?
Croup usually starts like a normal cold, with mild symptoms such as a fever, runny nose and cough. However, noisy breathing – known as 'stridor' – often develops suddenly during the evening or overnight because of the narrowing airway. It causes a squeaky and high-pitched sound when your child breathes in.
Musty smell or other strange odors
A persistent musty smell is often one of the earliest signs of mold in a house. Mold often produces a musty odor before it's visible, allowing it to thrive in concealed spaces. This distinct odor may indicate mold is growing in hidden areas, like behind walls or under carpets.
Antifungal Medications: These target mold growth within the body. Nasal Sprays: Helpful for those with respiratory symptoms. Immunotherapy: This can be beneficial for those with severe mold allergies.
While air filtration can help reduce airborne mold spores, an air purifier alone will not eliminate indoor mold growing on or beneath surfaces, such as walls and floors. Dr. Fineman emphasizes that effective indoor mold control requires managing moisture and humidity to prevent conditions that promote mold growth.
Yes, there are several blood tests that can help evaluate whether you've been exposed to mold. Certain tests look for immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood, and others test for the presence of the toxic substance mycotoxin.
The most common symptoms cause irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. Inhaling mold can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, nasal congestion and sore throat, as well as worsening asthma and COPD symptoms that can cause a flare-up.
Symptoms of a systemic fungal infection include muscle pain, coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, congestion, stomach pain, congestion, and intense headache.
While some doctors may suspect mold exposure based on your symptoms, doctors are trained to diagnose health conditions—not indoor environmental issues. That means they can't conclusively determine whether there's a mold problem in your environment or not.
How long does it take for mold to make you sick? That depends on the person and how much mold they've been exposed to. If you're very sensitive to mold, you may experience congestion and a cough as soon as you're exposed. Others may not notice if there's a small amount of mold.
Environmental Medicine Doctors
Physicians trained in environmental medicine specialize in diagnosing and treating illnesses caused by toxins, including mold. They use advanced lab testing to measure mold toxins in the body and identify immune system imbalances.
Mold toxicity warning signs often include persistent fatigue, brain fog (memory/focus issues), chronic sinus/respiratory problems (cough, congestion, wheezing), digestive issues (bloating, IBS-like symptoms), mood changes (anxiety, depression), neurological symptoms (numbness, dizziness, ringing in ears), skin issues (rashes, itching), and inflammation-related pain (joint/muscle aches, night sweats), with symptoms often improving away from home and worsening upon return, indicating an environmental link.
Treatment typically involves a person taking an antifungal medication, such as voriconazole. However, the type of medication a doctor prescribes may depend on the type of Aspergillus mold causing the condition because some species are resistant to certain antifungal medications.
Blood (IgE) test
The blood sample goes to a laboratory. The lab test measures the amount of IgE in your blood that binds to black mold. It may take a week or longer to get the results from a blood test sent to a lab. Blood tests can have a higher rate of false-positive results.
A: Sleeping in a mouldy room is not advisable. Mould can release spores that, when inhaled during sleep, may lead to respiratory issues and allergies. These can disrupt your sleep and harm your overall health.
Stage 1: Mild Sensitivity – The patient will feel sneezing, nasal drip, fatigue. Level 2: Moderate Illness – Affected person face persistent coughing, rashes, brain fog. Stage 3: Chronic Exposure – An individual at this level will suffer from respiratory infections, mood disorders, memory loss.
Seek immediate medical attention if your child:
Croup cough should not be confused with pertussis or “whooping cough.” Whooping cough is characterized by an inspiratory “whoop” or gasp for air, between coughs, while croup yields its characteristic barking cough as air is expelled.
The culprit is COVID-19, which can trigger croup, characterized by inflammation just below the vocal cords that causes a hoarse voice, obstructed breathing, and a noisy cough that sounds like “a seal barking,” Dr. Wu says.