Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
Mold Allergy Symptoms
Stuffy or runny nose. Eye irritation (watering, red eyes, itching) Sore, dry throat. Dry cough or sneezing.
These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss.
Here's how to tell if you're dealing with a mold problem or just a bit of grime: The Q-tip test: Put a Q-tip in some diluted bleach, and dab it on the area in question. If it lightens after a minute or two, it's mold. If the area stays dark, it's just dirt.
Yes, if you have damp and mould in your home you're more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.
Activated charcoal can be taken as a supplement to assist in the removal of mold from the body. Because of the adsorbent properties of activated charcoal, it quite literally traps toxins (like mycotoxins) in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so that the body doesn't reabsorb them.
Some of the richest dietary sources of glutathione are spinach, avocados, asparagus, and okra. In addition to glutathione, quercetin and N-acetylcysteine support mold detox. If you're recovering from mold exposure, you may benefit from a concentrated dose of glutathione through supplement pills, inhalation or IV.
Consider Purchasing An Indoor Air Quality Monitor
If you want to monitor your indoor air quality proactively, you can invest in an air quality monitor. These devices constantly check the indoor air quality and provide feedback about the levels of different pollutants.
Use Activated Charcoal or Another Sequestering Agent
Cholestyramine, activated charcoal, and bentonite clay are potent binding agents that can reduce the bioavailability of mycotoxins in the gut.
Those who process toxins well can see their symptoms disappear as quickly as a few days. Others who eliminate toxins slowly can experience symptoms for much longer. They could be ill for months or even years after the source of mold is eliminated.
Mold exposure can cause issues with concentration, judgment, and overall brain function. Luckily, memory loss caused by mold is often reversible once the mold is eliminated from a home. Alzheimer's researcher Dr. Amen found that memory loss from mold is often misdiagnosed as dementia or Alzheimer's.
People who live, work, or go to school in moldy buildings complain of pain, fatigue, increased anxiety, depression, and cognitive defects such as memory loss.
Exposure to a large number of mold spores may cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue. Repeated exposure to mold can increase a person's sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions.
According to one clinic that specializes in treating mold exposure in people, nutritional deficiencies they commonly find in their patients include the B vitamins (especially folic acid, B-6 and B-12), COQ10, magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc.
Do air purifiers help with mold? Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
Those who need to see a doctor right away when exposed to toxic mold include people who are allergic to mold, have asthma or another pre-existing lung condition, or have a compromised immune system.
Preventing mold through heating
It makes sense that people want to save on heating cost, but one of the best mold prevention techniques is keeping your heating on. If you seriously want to avoid mold in your home then avoid rooms cooling completely.
Black mold is a fungus that may cause your immune system to react. Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, congestion and eye irritation. It rarely causes serious illness or death but may worsen asthma symptoms.
It's often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to see any mold growing. In this case, you should look for areas that might be exposed to water. Mold needs moisture to grow.
Use dehumidifiers to keep relative humidity indoors between 30-50%. Utilize windows, doors, and exhaust fans to keep bathrooms and kitchens dry. Clean shower curtains and bathroom tiles regularly with mold-killing products. Vent appliances that produce moisture to the outside whenever possible.