You can find mold spores everywhere, but mold grows only in the presence of a food source and moisture. We constantly breathe microscopic mold spores. They are usually harmless, but for those with mold allergies, they can lead to respiratory problems and severe reactions.
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moist environments. Many people have mold allergies without realizing it. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, around 10% to 15% of the population is allergic to mold. Certain types of mold, including Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium, are more likely than others to cause allergies.
Most people know mold allergies can cause a runny nose and sneezing, but there are surprising symptoms you may be unaware of. To learn them all, read this guide from our mold removal service team.
1. Persistent Fatigue
If you constantly feel fatigued, it may not be your busy schedule. Mold exposure can trigger immune responses that leave the body feeling tired. People often dismiss this symptom as a result of stress or a lack of sleep.
Chronic mold exposure can make fatigue worse over time. In some severe cases, the tiredness can become debilitating. Fatigue that does not respond to rest or worsens over time raises a red flag.
2. Frequent Headaches
Some mold releases toxic compounds that directly irritate the sensitive mucous membranes in the sinuses. They can cause swelling and irritation that block sinus drainage, causing congestion, pain, and potential infections.
Regular headaches have various causes and can manifest in different ways. Headaches caused by mold allergies cause a dull, pressure-like pain in the face and head. You may notice that these headaches occur more often in damp environments.
It helps to keep a headache diary. Creating a detailed record of your headaches and symptoms can help your doctor narrow down the possible causes.
3. Sinus Congestion or Infections
Chronic mold exposure creates inflammation in the nose and sinus cavities. Your body will begin producing more mucus in an attempt to flush the irritants. If you suffer from chronic congestion and sinus infections, mold may be the cause.
While over-the-counter sinus medications can offer temporary relief, they don’t eliminate the reason for your symptoms. If it’s mold, you need to schedule a home inspection to find where it’s growing in your home. Your sinus issues will not improve until you get rid of the mold.
4. Skin Irritations
Mold allergies affect more than your breathing passages; they can also impact your skin. Skin eruptions can occur as the immune system reacts to mold. Exposure leads to an inflammatory response that causes rashes, itching, and redness.
These skin irritations can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the limbs. You may notice that these reactions occur more frequently or become more severe after mold exposure or when cleaning moldy areas such as the bathroom.
5. Eye Irritation
Mold allergies can cause redness, itching, and watering. Your eyes may also burn or become sensitive to light. Those with severe mold allergies may find they develop blurry vision or eyelid swelling.
These symptoms occur when mold spores trigger the release of histamine in the body. If you have other allergies, you may mistake this reaction for seasonal allergy symptoms.
If you have a mold allergy, protect your eyes when in damp or moldy areas. Wear protective glasses, and consider using antihistamine eye drops.
6. Respiratory Issues
When an allergy sufferer inhales mold spores, their immune system reacts to the harmful invaders. The resulting inflammatory response can narrow your airways, making breathing more difficult and causing wheezing. You may experience symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
For those with asthma, mold allergies can be particularly problematic. Mold exposure, especially chronic, can lead to worsening asthma symptoms, reduced lung function, and increased hospital visits.
7. Cognitive Issues
If you’ve ever walked into a room and forgotten what you came to do, you may have brain fog. Mold can cause brain fog to develop due to mycotoxins damaging brain cells and interfering with neurotransmitter balance. The immune system’s reaction to mold exposure triggers an immune response within the brain. It can cause systemic inflammation that affects your cognitive processes and mood.
This is another symptom people often mistake for something else. You may think your symptoms stem from stress, lack of sleep, or aging. Consider the following symptoms that may occur.
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory lapses
- Mental sluggishness
- Mood changes
8. Unexplained Digestive Issues
While mold exposure primarily impacts the respiratory system, exposure to mycotoxins can also cause digestive distress. They have a destructive effect on the gut, killing off good bacteria and creating an imbalance.
Mold allergies can cause bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. These symptoms may appear sporadically or in conjunction with other allergy symptoms.
9. Frequent Infections
Mold is an immunosuppressant in those with allergies. The immune system overreacts to mold exposure, producing IgE antibodies and histamine, while also triggering inflammation throughout the body. Chronic mold exposure can lead to immune system suppression in some people, making them more prone to infections.
You may develop chronic colds, ear infections, or upper respiratory infections. Although these issues can occur with severe mold allergies, you need a medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
10. Increased Anxiety
Mold allergies or exposure can cause or worsen anxiety in some individuals. Chronic inflammation can affect the neurotransmitters, triggering fight-or-flight responses. People with severe mold allergies may experience irritability and heightened anxiety that worsens with chronic exposure. It helps to track your anxiety symptoms. Write down when they occur and the activities and areas you participated in before the symptoms started.
How to Identify Mold in Your Home
While mold is not always visible to the naked eye at first, you can start seeing signs of growth within 12 days after increased moisture occurs. It grows in different colors, including black, white, green, and purple.
Mold can be fuzzy, slimy, or musty. It’s essential to walk through your home regularly to look for signs of mold growth. Since damp areas are the most prone to mold, start with bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.
The following are signs you have mold growing in your home.
- Musty or earthy smells
- Discolorations
- Peeling wallpaper
- Damp or warped walls
- Excessive condensation
Tips for Mold Prevention & Remediation
Mold cannot survive unless it has the proper humidity levels. Ideally, you should keep your home at 30% to 50% relative humidity. Mold tends to grow when humidity levels rise above 60%. Dehumidifiers and proper ventilation can help keep moisture under control.
It’s also essential to keep damp areas dry and clean. Check those hidden areas, like under cabinets and behind toilets.
Scheduling a mold inspection and test can help you identify problem areas, so you can take care of them before they endanger your health. iMold offers comprehensive mold removal services in Fort Myers and the surrounding areas.
Protect Your Family’s Health
A healthy household is your priority, and mold allergies are more than a source of stress. They can make sufferers ill. iMold helps homeowners in Fort Myers handle mold issues with inspections, cleaning, rebuild services, and water damage repair.
Contact iMold today to schedule a mold inspection. We can help relieve your allergy symptoms and give you peace of mind!
