Can Mold Make You Sick? - Symptoms of Mold Exposure (2024)

Determining whether exposure to mold is making you sick can be difficult. In some instances, mold can definitely make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Some people experience symptoms such as constant migraines, headaches or shortness of breath while others report brain fog as well; some may also develop fatigue and depression. They can lead to allergic reactions, asthma attacks and even lung infections, especially if your immune system is already suppressed for any reason.

Since symptoms of mold exposure vary amongst different people, it’s easy to mistake these signs for something else like seasonal allergies. It’s best that you not make assumptions either way and check with your doctor. As unlikely as it may be that you are actually at risk from your mold, it’s best to be safe and get medical advice.

It’s common belief “my house isn’t dirty” but small things such as old food left on shelves, will eventually lead to mold showing up if moisture builds up over time…it becomes clear how quickly things spread without our knowledge.

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions FAQ that often come up regarding the effects exposure to mold, or more specifically black mold, (which isn’t what you think).

Mold FAQ

Q: How to know if mold is making you sick?

A: Mold is one of the most common concerns of illness in homes, but often isn’t the culprit. If you suspect that you or someone else has been exposed to mold, call your doctor immediately. The symptoms of mold exposure can mimic allergic reactions, include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, skin rashes, eye irritation, and nosebleeds.

Q: Can eating mold make you sick?

A: Yes, it is possible that eating mold can cause health issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. According to the Cleveland Clinic, if you can visibly see mold on food, don’t risk it. Throw it out.

Mold spores are everywhere, and they can be found in food, water, air, soil, and plants. The best way to avoid getting sick from mold is to wash your hands frequently, and to keep your home clean. If you have a concern, wait the day and see if any symptoms show up. If not, you are probably ok.

Q: Can bread mold make you sick?

A: Yes, bread mold can make you sick. Bread molds are fungi that grow on bread. They can cause allergic reactions in some people. The best way to avoid getting sick from bread molds is to keep bread away from your face. If you do eat bread, wash your hands after handling it.

Q: Can mold cause diarrhea?

A: Mold can cause diarrhea because it produces toxins that irritate the intestines. The symptoms of mold poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, fever, and fatigue. If you suspect that you have been exposed to mold, contact your doctor immediately.

Q: Can drinking mold make you sick?

A: Yes, drinking mold can cause health issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and skin rashes. Mold can be found in food, water, air, and soil. The best way to avoid getting sick from mold is to wash your hands frequently, drink bottled water, and cook all foods thoroughly.

Q: Can mold cause dizziness?

A: Mold can cause dizziness because it contains chemicals called mycotoxins. These toxins can affect the central nervous system and cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. If you suspect mold exposure, call your doctor immediately.

Q: Can mold make you nauseous?

A: Mold makes you feel sick because it contains toxins that cause nausea. The best way to avoid getting ill from mold is to keep your home clean and dry. If you do find yourself feeling unwell after touching mold, wash your hands immediately with soap and water.

Q: Can mold on cheese make you sick?

A: Mold on cheese can cause illness, especially when it is ingested. The best way to avoid getting ill from eating moldy cheese is to always wash your hands after handling food. If you do eat moldy cheese, then you should seek medical attention immediately.

Q: Mold poisoning symptoms?

A: Mold is a pesky little mold that can seriously affect your health. It may introduce different types of antigens to the system, including spores which could lead you into an asthma attack or hypersensitivity reaction resulting in respiratory problems like pulmonary inflammatory disease.

Q: Drinking mold symptoms?

A: Drinking mold symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Q: Can mildew make you sick?

A: Yes, mildew can cause health issues such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory diseases. The mold spores can be found in damp areas like basem*nts, bathrooms, and kitchens. If you find mold growing in these places, it is best to clean them up immediately.

Q: Can mold in a water bottle make you sick?

A: Mold can grow in a water bottle when the temperature is too high. If you drink from a water bottle that has been sitting for a long period of time, then you may be at risk of getting sick.

Q: Can mold in humidifier make you sick?

A: Mold is a fungus that grows in moist environments such as bathrooms, basem*nts, and kitchens. If you have a humidifier in your home, it may be breeding grounds for mold. The mold spores can enter your lungs through your nose or mouth, causing respiratory issues.

Q: Does mold make you vomit?

A: Mold makes you vomit because it contains a toxin called mycotoxin. This toxin causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and other symptoms. If you think you have been exposed to mold, call your doctor immediately.

Q: Can mold on grill make you sick?

A: Mold on grills can be dangerous for your health. The mold spores can cause respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and sinus infections. If you notice any mold growth on your grill, clean it immediately.

Q: Can mold on toothbrush make you sick?

A: Yes, mold on toothbrushes can cause health issues such as asthma, sinusitis, and allergies. The best way to prevent mold from growing on your toothbrush is to keep it clean and dry. If you do not want to throw away your toothbrush, then you should soak it in hot water for 10 minutes. After soaking, rinse it thoroughly with soap and water.

Q: Can mold dishes make you sick?

A: Moldy food can cause health issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. If you think you may be experiencing these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Q: Can mold in crawl space make you sick?

A: Mold in crawl spaces can cause health issues such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems. If you suspect mold in your crawl space, call a professional immediately.

Q: Can mold in fridge make you sick?

A: Mold is a fungus that grows in moist environments such as refrigerators. If you find mold growing in your refrigerator, you should throw out all food stored inside immediately. The mold may cause health issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and skin rashes.

Q: Can mold in washing machine make you sick?

A: Mold can be found everywhere, especially in places where water is used. If you find mold growing in your home, you should immediately contact a professional who can remove it. Mold can cause health issues such as asthma, allergies, and sinus infections.

Q: Can mold in an attic make you sick?

A: Mold in attic can cause health issues such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses. If you suspect that you have mold in your home, contact a professional who can inspect your home for signs of mold growth.

Q: Can mold in your dishwasher make you sick?

A: Yes, Mold in your dishwasher can make you sick. It can cause health problems such as allergies, breathing problems, and more.

Q: How quickly can mold make you sick?

A: If you have a mold allergy your immune system thinks mold is a problem. Your body reacts by nasal congestion or sneezing when you breathe in the spores. Depending on your body you can have this immediately or after exposure.

Q: How long after eating moldy bread will I get sick?

If you end up getting sick from eating bad bread, it will happen within a few hours. Moldy bread can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.

Q: Can mold on walls make you sick?

A: Mold on walls can make you sick, causing health issues such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory diseases. If you notice any signs of mold growth, you should contact a professional immediately.

Can Mold Make You Sick? - Symptoms of Mold Exposure (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if you are sick from mold exposure? ›

Overview. If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. A mold allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes and other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, a mold allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms.

How long after mold exposure do you get sick? ›

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.

How do I know if mold in my house is making me sick? ›

The symptoms of mold exposure can mimic allergic reactions, include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, skin rashes, eye irritation, and nosebleeds.

What does mold toxicity feel like? ›

Respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, watery eyes, and skin irritation are the predominant symptoms. Mold is also known to cause asthma and life-threatening primary and secondary infections in immune-compromised patients that have been exposed.

Can I test myself for mold exposure? ›

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.

How do you treat mold sickness? ›

Treatment for mold allergies and exposure symptoms may include:
  1. Nasal sprays or rinses. Over-the-counter (OTC) nasal corticosteroids, like fluticasone (Flonase), reduce airway inflammation caused by mold allergies. ...
  2. OTC medications. ...
  3. Montelukast (Singulair). ...
  4. Allergy shots.

Do air purifiers help with mold? ›

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.

How do you detox from mold exposure? ›

What to Do About It
  1. Get Out of There.
  2. Identify the Underlying Mechanisms for Your Toxic Mold.
  3. Stabilize the Immune System.
  4. Calm Down the Limbic System.
  5. Support the Body's Cleansing Channels.
  6. Minimize Supplements.
  7. Love Your Gut.
  8. Boost Your Mitochondria & Hormones.
Nov 9, 2021

How do you test for mold poisoning? ›

The doctor will take a health assessment and health history, and will order blood testing. Antibodies in the patient's body will be checked for a reaction to mold and to other allergens and poisons. The severity of the reaction will also be determined. A skin test will also be part of the doctor's examination.

How do you prove black mold is making you sick? ›

Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure
  • Coughing.
  • Postnasal drip.
  • Sneezing.
  • Dry, scaly skin.
  • Itchy eyes, nose, or throat.
  • Nasal congestion.
May 26, 2021

Can mold in bedroom make you ill? ›

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.

Can mold grow in your lungs? ›

The mold spores can colonize (grow) inside lung cavities that developed as a result of chronic diseases, such tuberculosis, emphysema, or advanced sarcoidosis. The fibers of fungus might form a lump by combining with white blood cells and blood clots. This lump or ball of fungus is called an aspergilloma or mycetoma.

Can mold poisoning be detected by blood test? ›

Another way to know if you have mold poisoning is by taking blood tests. Your doctor may take a sample of your blood to examine the presence of mold antibodies. One of the common types of the blood test used for mold symptoms is known as Memory Lymphocyte Immunostimulation Assay, which is abbreviated as MELISA.

What health problems can mold cause? ›

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.

Will toxic mold symptoms go away? ›

I had so much mold in my body that it took several months for the ebb and flow of flu symptoms to go away. As you kill the mold and there are less organisms in your body, you will start to feel better. It took my husband six months to become free and clear of mold while it took me a year and a half.

How do you know if your house is toxic? ›

What Are the Signs of Toxic House Syndrome?
  1. Mold growth.
  2. Condensation around windows and in high humidity areas such as bathrooms.
  3. Lingering condensation.
  4. Dampness that doesn't seem to go away.
  5. Dust build up in your ventilation system.

How do you get rid of mold in your body naturally? ›

Activated charcoal can be taken as a supplement for assisting 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.

Is mold exposure permanent? ›

Long-term mould exposure can cause severe issues that can last for a long period of time and may cause irreversible damage to the human body, so it is important to never ignore that bit of mould growing.

How long does it take to detox from mold? ›

Detoxing out mold (after confirming the individual has a clean environment) takes around a year in most cases. For these reasons, working with a professional is necessary. Please contact our office if you suspect you or a loved one has mold illness.

What cleans mold out of the air? ›

Specifically, air purifiers with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters work great at removing mold spores.
...
To get rid of mold spores, we recommend using air purifiers with:
  • Mechanical Air Filters.
  • Electronic Air Filters.
  • UVGI Cleaners.
  • Ozone Generators.
Dec 23, 2021

What spray kills mold in the air? ›

Concrobium Mold Control effectively eliminates and prevents mold with no bleach, ammonia or VOCs. Concrobium works as it dries by crushing the mold spores at the source, leaving behind an invisible antimicrobial barrier to prevent future mold growth.

What plant can remove mold spores from the air? ›

Rubber Tree. Whether in burgundy or regular green, rubber trees (also known as rubber plants) will produce lots of oxygen—more than any other plant, in fact! In addition to producing oxygen and eliminating air toxins, the rubber tree effectively removes mold spores and bacteria from the air (by up to 60%).

What kills black mold instantly? ›

Hydrogen peroxide kills mold effectively on materials such as clothing, floors, bathroom fixtures, walls and items such as kitchen appliances.
  • Pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle.
  • Spray the moldy surface completely to saturate the area with hydrogen peroxide.

Do dehumidifiers help with mold? ›

Reduce Mold and Mildew

A dehumidifier is designed to reduce the moisture level in the air by extracting the excess water. By doing so, dehumidifiers can help prevent the growth of mold and mildew and improves the indoor air quality of your space.

What happens if you sleep with mold? ›

Frequently inhaling these spores leads to a plethora of health problems for both healthy and vulnerable people. These may include upper tract infections and respiratory discomfort such as coughing, wheezing and asthma.

What happens if you sleep in a room with mold? ›

Sleeping in a Moldy Room Is Hazardous

Exposure to it can cause allergies and sleep issues. Discover the long-term effects of mold exposure and how you can prevent its growth.

What are the symptoms of sleeping in a room with mold? ›

Mold can cause numerous health problems, and evidence suggests it can disrupt your sleep.
...
epa.gov can vary, but common reactions may include:
  • Skin redness or rash.
  • Itchy, red eyes.
  • Sneezing.
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Chronic cough.
  • Blurred vision.
Mar 11, 2022

How do you test for mold in lungs? ›

Getting a mycotoxin test may help you determine whether you have mold toxicity in your body. This is a great way to test whether the harmful antigens in the mold are negatively impacting your health. This test may help you decide how to treat your mold exposure and allergies.

What happens if you breathe in mold for years? ›

increased risk of upper and lower respiratory symptoms. chronic sinusitis. fatigue. organ damage.

What does mold do to your brain? ›

Inflammation: Mold spores act as irritants, which can trigger the body to mount an immune response. This can lead to inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the brain can impair cognitive function, and in the case of chronic inflammation, this can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairment.

How can I tell if unseen mold is making me sick? ›

Symptoms of mold exposure may include headache, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and fatigue. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.

Can mold behind walls make you sick? ›

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. 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.

Does mold poisoning show up in blood work? ›

Another way to know if you have mold poisoning is by taking blood tests. Your doctor may take a sample of your blood to examine the presence of mold antibodies. One of the common types of the blood test used for mold symptoms is known as Memory Lymphocyte Immunostimulation Assay, which is abbreviated as MELISA.

How do doctors treat mold exposure? ›

Treatment
  1. Nasal corticosteroids. These nasal sprays help prevent and treat the inflammation caused by an upper respiratory mold allergy. ...
  2. Antihistamines. These medications can help with itching, sneezing and runny nose. ...
  3. Oral decongestants. ...
  4. Decongestant nasal sprays. ...
  5. Montelukast.
Jun 21, 2021

How do you get mold spores out of your body? ›

Activated charcoal can be taken as a supplement for assisting 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.

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