Mold and your health: What you need to know

Most people don’t realize that mold exposure can cause serious illness, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. Unfortunately, many doctors are unfamiliar with mold toxicity, leading to frequent misdiagnoses and unexplained chronic health issues.

The degree of symptoms a person exhibits in response to mold is oftentimes a response to several variables: their genetic makeup, duration of exposure, type of mycotoxin, and any underlying health issues.

Aside from mold allergies, it’s not the mold itself that causes harm—it’s the mycotoxins. These toxic compounds, produced by mold, enter the body through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. They are extremely difficult to eliminate, especially for the estimated 25% of the population with a mutation on the HLA gene, which impairs the body’s ability to detoxify mycotoxins effectively.

Over 70% of buildings have hidden water damage—and hidden mold. What you don’t see can still harm you.

1 in 4 people can’t detox mold toxins properly.
A common HLA gene variation makes it hard for their bodies to eliminate harmful mycotoxins.

Symptoms of Mold Illness:

Mental Health- anxiety, depression, fatigue, mood swings, irritability, heightened stress responses, anger, OCD, fear, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts

Cognitive- brain fog, word-finding difficulty, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, memory problems, difficulty learning new information, reduced ability to plan and execute, and Alzheimer's dementia

Musculoskeletal- joint pain, muscle cramps, muscle aches, sharp shooting pain, morning stiffness

Cardiovascular- heart palpitations, poor blood circulation, vasculitis, edema, blood clots, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure

Immune system- frequent sickness, more infections, slow recovery from infections

Respiratory- sinus congestion, runny nose, shortness of breath, chronic cough, breathing difficulties, sneezing, sore throat, wheezing

Neurological- headaches, migraines, vertigo, seizures, tremors, sensitivity to light, numbness and tingling, burning along the spine, memory problems

Gastrointestinal- abdominal pain, nausea, leaky gut syndrome, appetite swings, diarrhea, vomiting

Hormonal and reproductive effects- hormonal imbalances, blood sugar regulation issues, reduced fertility, developmental issues in children (if exposed during pregnancy or breast feeding)

Liver and Kidney Effects: elevated liver enzymes, jaundice

Skin- contact dermatitis, itching, redness

Allergic reactions- skin rashes, hives, itchy or watery eyes, swelling of the face, lips or tongue

Eyes- tearing, red eyes, blurry vision, itchy eyes

Ears- chronic ear infections and hearing loss

Mold produces mycotoxins- microscopic toxic chemicals that circulate throughout your home and attack your body and brain.

What are mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds, commonly found in water-damaged or poorly ventilated buildings. Even minimal exposure can lead to serious illness— and in some cases, can be fatal to both humans and animals. Indoor mold growth is one of the leading sources of mycotoxin exposure, which can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Over 300 types exist—each with different effects on the body. Notable ones like aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and trichothecenes can impact organs, immunity, and neurological function. Chronic low-level exposure is especially dangerous, often causing cumulative harm without obvious symptoms.

What is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)?

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex illness caused by long-term exposure to biotoxins such as mold. It can trigger widespread inflammation affecting multiple systems in the body and often leads to persistent symptoms that worsen over time if untreated. Because CIRS symptoms overlap with many other conditions—like anxiety, fatigue, cognitive decline, and autoimmune disorders—it’s frequently misdiagnosed. Standard lab tests often miss it, as common inflammatory markers may remain normal. CIRS is rooted in immune system dysfunction and may involve a genetic component that affects the body’s ability to clear toxins. Many patients report cognitive symptoms like brain fog, memory issues, mood changes, and fatigue—reflecting the strong impact on neurological function.

Why do some people react and others don't when exposed to mold?

Mold affects everyone differently, which can create confusion—and even skepticism—about how serious the problem really is. One key factor is a genetic mutation known as an HLA-DR mutation, which affects how the immune system identifies and clears toxins like mold. In roughly 25% of the population, this genetic variation makes it difficult for the body to eliminate biotoxins- such as mold toxins- effectively. Instead of eliminating them, these toxins accumulate in the body, triggering chronic inflammation. For individuals with these HLA variants, even minimal mold exposure can lead to a condition called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)—a persistent, multi-symptom illness often involving fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and respiratory issues.

Signs of mold in your home

Wondering if you have mold in your house? Here are the most common signs of hidden mold growth: 1. Musty or Earthy Odor A strong, persistent musty smell—especially in basements, bathrooms, or closets—often indicates mold, even if you can’t see it. 2. Visible Mold Growth Black, green, white, or gray spots on walls, ceilings, or surfaces may be signs of mold colonies. Mold can grow on nearly any surface: drywall, wood, insulation, carpet, tiles, HVAC ductwork, etc. 3. Water Damage or Stains Yellow or brown water stains, bubbling paint, warped drywall, or peeling wallpaper are all warning signs of moisture problems that may lead to mold. 4. High Humidity or Condensation Consistently high indoor humidity (over 60%) or condensation on windows and walls creates the ideal environment for mold growth. 5. Health Symptoms That Improve Outside the Home Unexplained symptoms like coughing, sneezing, headaches, brain fog, chronic fatigue, and sinus issues that improve when you leave the home could point to mold exposure. 6. History of Leaks or Flooding Current or past leaks in the roof, plumbing, basement, or HVAC system can leave behind moisture—even after repairs—which promotes hidden mold growth. 7. Warped or Damaged Building Materials Buckling floors, sagging ceilings, or soft drywall often signal moisture problems and possible mold behind the surface.

How does mold grow?

Mold grows when moisture, organic material, and the right temperature combine to create ideal conditions. These microscopic fungi reproduce by releasing spores into the air, which land on surfaces and begin growing when conditions are favorable. Here’s what mold needs to grow: 1. Moisture Water is the most important factor. Mold thrives in damp or humid environments—often caused by: Leaks (roof, plumbing, windows) Flooding High humidity Poor ventilation Condensation 2. Organic Material (Food Source) Mold feeds on materials commonly found in homes and buildings, such as: Drywall Wood Carpet Insulation Fabrics Dust (which contains skin cells and other organic particles) 3. Warm Temperatures Most molds grow best in temperatures between 60–80°F, which makes indoor spaces ideal year-round. 4. Time Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of a moisture event. Once started, it spreads quickly—especially in hidden areas like behind walls, under floors, or inside HVAC systems.

Can't I just bleach the mold and kill it?

This is a common cleaning practice and is not effective against mold- it only makes it worse! 1.) Bleach doesn't penetrate porous materials. Mold often grows deep within porous surfaces like drywall, wood, or fabric. Bleach only cleans the surface and cannot reach mold roots (hyphae) embedded below. This means the mold will likely grow back. 2.) Bleach can actually feed mold on some surfaces. On materials like drywall or wood, the high water content in bleach can soak into the surface, while the chlorine evaporates. This adds moisture, which mold thrives on—making the problem worse. 3.) It doesn’t neutralize mycotoxins. Even if the mold is killed, mycotoxins and mold fragments can remain and continue to affect health. Bleach does not remove or neutralize these toxic byproducts. 4.) Bleach is corrosive and harmful to health. Chlorine bleach can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs—especially dangerous for people already dealing with mold-related health issues or respiratory conditions.

Is all types of mold dangerous?

Mold in your indoor environment—regardless of its color—is not healthy. The term “black mold” typically refers to Stachybotrys chartarum, one of many mold species that can grow indoors and negatively affect human health. In reality, there are dozens of indoor mold species known to be harmful or toxic, and many of them aren’t black at all. While thousands of mold species exist naturally outdoors and are usually harmless in that setting, indoor molds that thrive in moisture and water-damaged conditions pose the greatest health risks. These molds can produce harmful mycotoxins and impact your health significantly—even when they are invisible or have no noticeable odor. Our dogs are specially trained to detect the species most commonly associated with indoor contamination and adverse health effects.