Mold Remediation Blog

Is Mold Making You Sick? Signs of Mold Exposure

Hi, listen, if you’re reading these words right now because you highly suspect either yourself or someone in your home is getting sick due to mold exposure:

Step #1: Contact your health provider to get confirmation and treatment.
Step #2: If you get confirmation, contact a mold professional to test your home.
Step #3: If tests are positive, work with a reputable mold remediation company.

That being said, if you’re digging around online for symptoms and signs of mold exposure, we’d like to provide you with a great reference article.

We can begin with a general list put together by Dr. Michele Neil-Sherwood. It’s published on the Functional Medical Institute’s website under ‘Signs of Mold Illness’.

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

Please keep in mind, that’s a wide net of symptoms. Until mold is actually SPOTTED, the issue people face when the responses to mold are mild to moderate is they can blend and be self-diagnosed as other conditions.

Not to mention mold exposure symptoms can make pre-existing conditions worse!

This is why if you haven’t spotted mold in your home yet, you should speak with a medical provider.

If you can’t see the mold, then these are the most likely areas where it is taking hold:

Hidden and growing somewhere in the attic.
Within the interior of your wall system — behind drywall.
In the basement, or perhaps around some old leaky windows.
Further down in the floorboards or crawlspace.
Behind your fridge, or down under the sink.

The mold is a living organism that requires specific conditions and food in order to flourish.

Professionals know just where to look.

If you would like to learn more about the specific kinds of molds that can find their way into your home, their names are listed below. The initial three will usually be the most common.

Cladosporium

Penicillium

Aspergillus

Alternaria
Aureobasidium
Stachybotrys chartarum
Trichoderma

Here’s a trio of other resources, but there are many more. The most important point here is NOT to mess with mold. Don’t panic. But don’t take chances with your health either. Let professional mold testing and remediation experts handle that part.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness
- People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds.
- People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections.
- Individuals with chronic respiratory disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma) may experience difficulty breathing.
- Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

Basic Mold Allergy Information
- Outdoor molds may cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall (or year-round in some climates).
- Indoor molds may cause allergy symptoms year-round.

Valor Mold Removal

Visit Our Mold Information Center
- Learn what to do when you spot mold in your home.
- Steps if it’s in your heating & air conditioning (HVAC).
- Steps if your roof is moldy, and more!

Wrapping Up: If You’re Spotting Signs Of Mold

The signs of mold exposure can vary wildly. This is why you need to seek medical attention first. Once the mold is officially an issue, turn to reputable mold experts you can trust. If you’re a homeowner in the Northern VA, Southern MD & Washington DC area, please Contact Valor Mold as soon as you can for information on testing and chemical-free remediation.