Mould Exposure

Mould Exposure

Mould exposure can occur in the home, work place, day care, school and car - anywhere in humid and moist environments.  The effects of mould on health is often overlooked, yet mould toxicity can be the underlying root cause of a wide range of issues including hormonal imbalances, constipation autoimmune diseases, thrush, anxiety, depression, recurrent infections.


Mould exposure is on the rise in Australia

Australia has seen an increase in mould related health issues, particularly on the east coast - this is due to: prolonged wet and humid weather, flooding events, substandard building material and inadequate mould remediation


Where mould Is most likely to grow?

Mould can grow almost anywhere there is excess moisture, but it’s most commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens and roofs. Mould often appears as black, green, grey, or white patches on surfaces, but it can also be present without visible growth. It can grow in areas which are harder to detect including within walls, under floors, and/or behind furniture. 


Health symptoms linked to mould exposure

Mould exposure can lead to a wide range of symptoms, some of which may seem unrelated. These symptoms include:


  • Constipation 

  • Anxiety, depression, low mood 

  • Chronic fatigue 

  • Asthma, hay fever  

  • Nasal congestion and post nasal drip 

  • Skin rashes - including hives and persistent eczema 

  • Recurrent viruses and infections with a slow recovery

  • Chronic cough 

  • Brain fog 

  • Joint pain and stiffness

  • Headaches and migraines 

  • Excessive thirst and frequent urination

  • Static shocks 

  • Blurred vision 

  • Ice pick pains (sharp and severe pains that feel as if being struck or pierced by an ice pick)

  • Autoimmune conditions including Lupus, Scleroderma, Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis 

  • Fungal infections - can affect the nails, skin, tongue, mouth, vagina etc. 

  • Insomnia 

  • Nose bleeds


Signs and symptoms in children can also include: 

  • Slow growth

  • Delayed onset of menstruation 

  • Explosive moods and tantrums 

  • Aggressive behaviour 

  • Poor concentration and lack of focus 

  • Bed wetting

  • Learning disabilities


Signs that your home or vehicle may be affected by mould

Mould is not always visible - here are some signs that mould may be present:


  • A persistent musty smell 

  • Staining, discolouration or smudging of walls, ceilings, timber, carpet, or furnishings

  • Bubbling or cracking paint, wallpaper, or floor coverings

  • Corroding and/or rusty metal

  • Pest infestations (e.g. cockroaches, termites)

  • Water leaks 

  • Condensation 

  • Persistent high humidity

  • History of water damage or flooding 


Testing for mould exposure

At Balanced Beings, there are tests that we can run to assess potential mould exposure and your vulnerability to mould toxicity.


  • Biotoxin Questionnaire

  • Organic acid testing 

  • Mycotoxin urine test 

  • Comprehensive Gut Testing 

  • Biotoxin Panel: VIP, VEG-F, C3a, C4a, MMP-9, MSH, PAI-1, TGF beta-1, Leptin, ADH, Osmolality.

  • HLA DQ-DR Genotype 

  • MARCoNS (Multi-Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylocci Infection) nasal swab

  • Visual Contrast Sensitivity Test 


We regularly run comprehensive gut testing for clients, and there are a few markers which can indicate that mould exposure may be a contributing factor to their symptoms. This includes: 

  • High beta glucuronidase 

  • Low Oxalobacter formigenes bacteria 

  • High Clostridium species 

  • High Candida species 

  • Low Pancreatic Elastase


How to test for mould in the environment 


If you suspect that mould is present, then there are a range of in home tests which can be conducted - this includes: 

  • Environmental Relative Mould Index (ERMI) - order here 

  • Inspection conducted by a Building Biologist (Australian Society of Building Biologist) or Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) accredited mould remediator - this website has some helpful information and reputable mould technicians in each state


Balanced Being’s treatment for mould toxicity

Mould exposure can contribute to Mould Biotoxin Illness, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). If mould exposure is found to be a contributing factor to your health, then treatment at Balanced Beings can include: 

  1. Stabilisation of mast cells - when the body is exposed to mould, histamine release can become dysregulated, leading to excessive histamine release which can intensify symptoms

Vitamin C, zinc, Baical skullcap and quercetin are great for this stage 

 

  1. Clearance of fungal overgrowths - it’s important that the symptoms are stabilised before moving onto this phase

This can include herbs including Pau d’arco, Pomegranate, Dandelion root, Thyme 


  1. Mobilisation and eliminating of mycotoxins - binders play a critical role in preventing reabsorption of toxins in the digestive tract and need to be started slowly and worked up over time in order to avoid an exacerbation of symptoms

This can include: charcoal, chlorella, zeolites, probiotics


Mould may seem like a minor issue, but it can quickly turn into a serious health concern if left untreated - particularly in people with a genetic predisposition to impaired detoxification. If you suspect that mould is impacting your families health, then book in with a Balanced Beings practitioner to begin assessing and addressing your health. 

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