While there’s no evidence accepted by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention that “black mold poisoning” is a legitimate condition caused by mold exposure, there’s a host of symptoms that can be brought on by inhaling or touching mold sores. The good news is that there’s a treatment for each of them, too.
Potential health problems linked to mold exposure depend on the type of mold growing nearby, as well as the immune health of the person in question, so treatment for mold illness can vary according to the mold allergy.
If you’re suffering from symptoms of exposure to mold, see a physician as soon as possible.
Symptoms & Treatment for Mold Illness: Allergies (Less Severe)
If you spend a lot of time in a damp, humid environment, or if you’ve been exposed to mold recently, you may experience mold allergies.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) describe symptoms of allergic reaction to mold:
- Nasal congestion
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Red or itchy eyes
- Irritated skin
Sinusitis and a sore throat can accompany mold allergies, as well*. People with preexisting lung conditions are at risk for exacerbated asthma if they’re exposed to mold.
Medical professionals usually attempt to identify mold allergy via skin prick tests or blood testing.**
Physicians may prescribe the following to heal mold allergies:
- Nasal corticosteroids – Nasal sprays that treat inflammation caused by a mold allergy in the upper respiratory tract are often the first medication prescribed because they’re widely effective, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nasal sprays usually prescribed include ciclesonide, fluticasone, mometasone, triamcinolone and budesonide, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Antihistamines – These over-the-counter medications block your body’s histamine reaction – or, an inflammatory response your immune system releases when an allergen enters your body – to calm itching, sneezing and runny nose. Antihistamines prescribed for mold allergies include cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine. Clemastine is also suitable for neutralizing histamines but unlike the aforementioned antihistamines, it can make you drowsy and cause dry mouth.
- Oral decongestants – Think Sudafed, Drixoral, etc. Use with caution: These can raise your blood pressure.
- Decongestant nasal sprays – Like oxymetazoline can cause congestion to return (and possibly in a worsened manner), so it’s advised to not use these for more than three to four days.
Montelukast – This is a suitable oral medication substitute when nasal sprays can’t be tolerated or when someone suffers from mild asthma.
There are other treatments for mold allergy:
- A series of allergy shots known as immunotherapy is prescribed, but only for certain mold allergies.
- If your nose is extremely irritated, a nasal lavage of salt water from a bulb syringe, neti pot or specially designed squeeze bottle can offer relief.
Black Mold Poisoning: True or False?
Contrary to popular opinion, exposure to black mold, or stachybotrys chartarum, doesn’t cause black mold poisoning. At least for now, the CDC doesn’t have any evidence showing that it does.
That doesn’t take away from the experience of people who have been severely ill because of a mold infestation in their home or place of work; we’re currently unable to find medically approved evidence that black mold exposure induces poisoning.
According to Poison.org, human organs don’t retain mold.
“Although ‘black mold’ or ‘toxic mold’ has been identified in litigation as a cause of human illness, there is no established cluster of symptoms or physical findings associated with this alleged disease. There are neither diagnostic criteria nor any valid scientific publications establishing Stachybotrys or other molds as a cause of these diverse symptoms.”
– Poison Control / National Capital Poison Center
Please note, this information is not meant to serve as professional medical advice. If you’re experiencing health problems and you suspect that it’s because you were exposed to mold, we recommend consulting a doctor for expert advice, diagnosis and treatment.
* https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323419#how-dangerous-is-it
**https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mold-allergy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351525
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