Mold-Help.org - The world's largest TOXIC MOLD website
  • Mold Basics
    • Mold Overview
    • Mold Symptoms
    • Mold Types & Images
    • Fungal Infections
  • Resources and Tools
    • Home Care
    • Health & Diet
    • Tips for Parents
    • Coping with Loss
    • Private Research
    • Legal Suggestions
    • Mold in the Bible
  • Mold News
    • Current Headlines
    • “Sick Buildings”
    • The Environment
    • Construction Industry
    • Govt. & Politics
    • The Workplace
    • Landlords & Tenants
    • Insurance Companies
    • Schools & Institutions
    • Strange Fungal Tales
    • Personal Mold Stories
    • Additional Articles
  • Agencies & Experts
  • About Mold-Help
    • Mold-Help News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Woman in bed showing signs of mold illness

11 Signs of Mold Illness

in Mold Symptoms /by Carolyn Willbanks

What many people don’t realize is that mold can make you extremely sick, or even kill you. Mold illness refers to a variety of health problems that can occur from mold exposure. Although a mold allergy is the most common problem, mold can cause illness without an allergic reaction. Mold can also cause infections or irritants and toxic reactions from flu-like symptoms to skin infections and even pneumonia. (Mayo Clinic). Because mold is everywhere in our environment, it is wise for you to recognize the 11 signs of mold illness detailed below.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all molds have the potential to cause ill health. The type and severity of your symptoms depend, in part, on the types of mold present, the extent of your exposure, your age and general health, and your existing sensitivities or allergies. In the proper setting, fungi can infect nearly every organ system and in extreme cases, lead to fungal sepsis.

Different Types of Mold

Allergenic Molds. Allergenic molds are on the low end of the danger scale. They only cause problems for those with asthma and a predisposed allergy to the specific mold. Children are more likely to have mold allergies than adults.

Pathogenic Molds. Pathogenic molds will cause some infection. This is a big problem for those with a suppressed immune system. An acute response resembling bacterial pneumonia is commonly found with those exposed to these types of mold.

Toxigenic Molds. As the name implies, these molds produce mycotoxins that can cause serious health effects. They have been tied to immunosuppression and cancer. The toxic chemicals found in these types of molds can be absorbed into the body when one inhales them, eats them, or even touches them.

Five of the Most Common Indoor Molds

  1. Alternaria: Commonly found in your nose, mouth, and upper respiratory tract; can cause allergic responses.
  2. Aspergillus: Usually found in warm, extremely damp climates, and a common occupant of house dust; produces mycotoxins; can cause lung infections.
  3. Cladosporium: This very common outdoor fungus can find its way indoors to grow on textiles, wood, and other damp, porous materials; triggers hay fever and asthma symptoms.
  4. Penicillium: Very common species found on wallpaper, decaying fabrics, carpet, and fiberglass duct insulation; known for causing allergies and asthma; some species produce mycotoxins, one being the common antibiotic penicillin.
  5. Stachybotrys: Extremely toxic “black mold” that produces mycotoxins that can cause serious breathing difficulties and bleeding of the lungs, among other health problems. Thankfully, less common in homes than the other four, but not rare; found on wood or paper (cellulose products), but NOT on concrete, linoleum or tile.

11 Signs of a Mold Illness

  1. Brain Fog, Memory Problems, Trouble Focusing, Headaches
  2. Fatigue and Weakness
  3. Unexplained Muscle Cramping, Aches and Pains in the Joints, Persistent Nerve Pain
  4. Numbness and Tingling
  5. Eye Problems like Red Eyes or Light Sensitivity
  6. Asthma and Sinus Problems like Cough or Shortness of Breath
  7. Tremors and Vertigo
  8. Digestive Issues like Change in Appetite, Diarrhea, Nausea, Abdominal Pain
  9. Metallic Taste in the Mouth
  10. Temperature Regulation or Night Sweats
  11. Excessive Thirst and Increased Urination

You can see the variety of symptoms are quite large and can overlap with other conditions. See a practitioner if you have the underlying conditions that may go along with mold and mold toxicity. It’s not always the food we eat, but it can be the air that we breathe that makes us sick.

Source: Functional Medical Institute; https://fmidr.com/mold-illness/

Photo: Courtesy of getthegloss.com

Carolyn Willbanks
Author: Carolyn Willbanks

Tags: mold, types of mold, common indoor molds, sign and symptoms of mold illness
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/night-sweats-2.jpg 468 845 Carolyn Willbanks https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/moldhelp-654x300.png Carolyn Willbanks2019-02-18 20:21:252020-02-21 16:52:1611 Signs of Mold Illness
You might also like
Mold-Help logo Massachusetts Apartments Receive Aid to Fight Mold Problem
Mold-Help logo Mold Problem Destroys Plans
Mold-Help logo Aurora Woman Finds Mushroom Growing out of Shower
Mold-Help logo Allstate: More Things To More People
Mold-Help logo Sporotrichosis
Mold-Help logo Important Update for Victims of Hurricane Sandy

Mold Basics

  • Mold Overview
  • Mold Symptoms
  • Mold Types & Images
  • Fungal Infections

Latest Posts

  • Michigan Family Finds Toxic Mold Inside Home
  • California Winter Storms: Water Damage and Mold Exposure Concerns in California
  • Office and Commercial Buildings at Risk for Mold after COVID-19 Closings
  • COVID-19 Symptoms May Include Loss of Taste and Smell
  • New Mold Detox Information on the Horizon
  • COVID-19 Courses of Action
  • Stachybotrys
  • Simple and Easy Ways to Prevent the Coronavirus
  • Your Air Conditioning Unit Helps Eliminate Mold
  • Construction Workers Are Learning to Control Dust and Debris

Search Our Site:

Need Help with Mold?

Are you being affected by mold or other mycotoxins in your environment? Our team and community has over 15 years experience and can provide guidance. You can reach us by submitting your contact or through our Facebook page.

Have a Story to Share?

We're looking for stories and input to expand our database and to add to the personal experiences we've received from the thousands of victims over the last 15. If mold has impacted your life, please take the time to share your story. Your information is confidential and will only be shared with your permission.

Seeking Mold Experts

Are you an expert in the treatment of mold-affected health illnesses, or a provider of services to victims of mycotoxin exposure? Submit your information for listing consideration in our Agencies & Experts resource database.

Additional Resources

  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Survivor Resources
  • General Inquiries
  • Legal Disclaimer

© Copyright - Mold-Help Organization
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Mold Basics
  • Resources and Tools
  • Agencies & Experts
  • Mold News
  • About Mold-Help
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only