In my practice, I find mold in homes to be a frequent, yet unknown, problem for many individuals. Unusual odors, damp smell or wall discoloration may be visual clues of a problem. Changes in your health, such as onset of asthma or worsening asthma, aggravation of allergies, headaches or fatigue after moving to a different residence may be an indicator of indoor contamination.

Individuals generally develop an allergy to mold due to an excessive exposure for that individual. Each of us have different tolerance levels and genetic makeup that can cause greater or lesser individual susceptibility. In a “sick house,” only one person can have a problem while the rest are symptom free, or all can be affected.

Different Varieties of Mold Allergies and Where They Reside

Not all mold allergies are created equal, and there are several varieties. Type 1 is the typical IgE allergy (histamine mediated response) causing nose and eye irritation, hives and asthma. The other five types cause variations in an inflammatory response, releasing other mediators, generally creating delayed-type allergic reactions over multiple hours. Symptoms could include fatigue, headaches, memory and cognitive problems, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain and skin rashes.   

Molds produce mold spores and chemical compounds, called mycotoxins, which are released into the air. There are hundreds of outdoor molds that can cause allergy, and they are often worse when the wind is blowing. Generally, symptoms from these molds respond to antihistamines, allergy immunotherapy and short-term use of steroids.

Indoor molds are fewer in variety, but when dampness occurs can cause severe medical problems, both allergic and toxic. In newer homes, the possibility for these molds to develop is enhanced by the tight construction requirements with very little fresh air exchange.

In older homes, damp crawl spaces and leaky air ducts can encourage mold growth. These enclosed environments hold the mold spores that are produced from damp areas in the house, and do not allow for dispersion of the mycotoxins (volatile neurotoxic organic compounds) in the air. These damp areas may be hidden in the walls, under sinks, behind washing machines, in AC closets or in ceilings. These locations are often hard to see, making isolating the problem area difficult.

Receiving Help for Your Mold Problems

Certified Indoor Air Inspectors can measure and define the different types of molds present and the spore concentrations.  With this information, they can calculate the percentage of each type of mold found and measure mold volatile organic compounds (MVOCs).

A physician experienced in treating mold exposure illness is generally consulted to correctly interpret the results as related to the affected person. Increased concentrations and higher percentage of spores from Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stackybotris and Cheatoninum are indicators of a potential problem.

MVOC measurement can help in finding areas that are hidden and growing “black mold” that produce the mycotoxins but not releasing spores into the rooms.

Tests Available to Help Identify Mold

If you are concerned that you are having symptoms from mold in your home, there are multiple lab tests available to help. Individual exposure and toxicity can be measured by urine tests for the excreted mycotoxins. IgG antibody blood tests can be used to document exposure to the individual species of mold. Skin allergy tests can determine the allergic component and specific cultures to determine type and amount of infection in sinuses or lungs.

In addition to diagnosing your specific issues via testing, effective treatment begins with avoidance of further exposure. If you have persistent symptoms and illness, the specific testing is necessary to determine the type of treatment needed. Continuing to live and work in a contaminated building only will make the medical condition worse. The good news is that there are numerous treatment options to improve your health if you find yourself struggling with symptoms from mold exposure – it’s a situation that can be remedied through a targeted approach tailored to the individual.

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Now that we are all stuck inside due to the COVID-19 pandemic, how are you feeling physically? Do you find that you are more fatigued, having nasal congestion, difficulty concentrating, allergies feeling worse than normal, an unsteady mental state, bowel changes or unusual shortness of breath?

Certainly, we are all experiencing the anxiety of the unknown, concern for those sick and worry for our extended families during this time. It is especially overwhelming with children, family members and pets under our feet 24/7. However, your health can also be affected by odors and other living contaminants that may inhabit your living space, such as a natural gas leak, dust mites and mold.

I have never experienced a time where we were basically confined to our homes for an extended period. We need to ensure that staying inside is not going to harm us as a potentially toxic environment.

Do you feel better when taking a walk and getting out of your home? If yes, this is a first clue that there may be something in your home that is adversely affecting you. Not everyone may experience the same symptoms or feel anything at all, because individuals have different tolerances and immune symptoms, even in the same family. Everyone’s genetics are different, except in identical twins. The most allergic or sensitive person in a home generally notices the problem first. The canary?

Is there something in your home harming you? Some things to think about that could potentially harm you while you are staying inside in quarantine:

Natural gas leaks. These have that putrid odor of mercaptans-sulfur that is mixed in the natural gas to help detect leaks.

Dust mites. These microscopic insects live off your skin flakes and are generally most concentrated in the bedroom in sheets, pillows and pillowcases.

Mold. Different types of molds hide in the damp areas of your home. They have to have dampness to grow and produce that musty damp smell along with odorless toxins called mycotoxins that affect an individual’s nervous system. Mold can also affect the brain and the extended peripheral nerves to the extremities, intestinal tract and lungs, resulting in the multisystem effects a person may experience upon exposure.

Mold is most likely one of the biggest issues you may encounter, because a lot of people may have it in their home and not realize it. The National Institute of Health published a book titled Damp Indoor Environments, which describes in detail the adverse health effects of mold and mycotoxins. Excessive exposure may cause or exacerbate allergies, cause a mold infection in the sinuses or lungs, or the mycotoxins are inhaled and absorbed and distributed by the blood throughout the body causing neurological symptoms.

Molds grow in damp and dark spaces and are commonly seen as a result of roof leaks, broken pipes, standing water under the house, overflowing bathtubs or toilets, faulty shower pans or shower tile and leaks under the sink.

All these issues contribute to the dampness and potential mold growth frequently resulting in adverse health effects. Many times, the mold isn’t visible as it is in the wall cavities due to water seeping down from a roof leak, or wicking up the wall from the floor.

To determine if your home is having these issues, a Texas state certified Indoor Air Quality inspector is the best person to use to confirm if there is a problem, as they can measure dampness, are trained to visually inspect and do mold spore counts and mycotoxin counts, as well as volatile organic compound analysis of the air inside your wall cavities or other parts of the home.

In my 40 years working as a physician, I have seen all manner of environmental factors that affect patient’s health, oftentimes without their knowledge. Sometimes, the last place we suspect — our homes — may be the culprit when it comes to unexplainable symptoms. However, there is hope. When we ask the right questions and explore all factors that can affect a patient’s health, including their environment, I have seen time and time again that people’s quality of life changed for the better with a specific diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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What To Know About Post-Hurricane Mold

In the wake of the recent storms, it’s important to focus on the path to recovery. Recovery comes in many forms, one of which hits close to home: mold. It’s possible that, in the hot, damp summer months of Texas, just a bit of mold can grow to toxic levels, especially after flooding.

This is why we, at Johnson Medical Associates, want to inform those who are going through aftermath cleanup and reconstruction about what to know and look for, as well as how to react. All we can say is to put your health first.

A Time for Mold to Thrive

As ceilings and floors are affected by the flood water, they might begin to sink or sag, becoming slippery and coated in bacteria. These conditions tend to allow mold to grow and thrive. This can actually begin fairly quickly after a hurricane, and increased mold levels can grow for a year after the fact. Mold spores in the form of various mycotoxins are released into the air, presenting dangerous health risks to anyone who inhales them.

That’s why it’s vital to wear protection, like a mask, that can filter the air and keep your skin out of direct contact with toxic bacteria, if possible.

Be Aware of the Air

Over other conditions, toxic mold affects our respiratory systems most of all. From coughing, asthma attacks, and immunological reactions to severe sinus infections and beyond, mold can be risky for anyone, especially those who already struggle with chronic breathing conditions.

In high levels of water, like that in a flood, there are usually questionable substances. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, such widespread, dense sewage can cause one to experience serious flu-like symptoms, including intestinal issues and headaches.

What To Do, Who To Call

Most importantly, try to get away from the infected area as soon as possible, and reach out to a professional to make sure you’re in good health. To begin the process of airing out the soaked space, experts urge that you open all windows and doors to create air ventilation.

To treat Toxic Mold Exposure, one must begin by evaluating the extent of exposure and its effect on the individual. At Johnson Medical Associates, we have developed a thorough treatment program for those who have been exposed, which assesses the 3 main aspects of mold-related illness: hypersensitivity, infection, and toxicity. Without the full testing of all of these, recovery is more difficult.

Be aware, know your symptoms, and know who to call.

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