Mold Related Illness: Index of Symptoms InspectAPedia® -
List of mold related illnesses, symptoms & complaints associated with exposure to mold in buildings
Health complaints in moldy homes
Health complaints by people sending mold samples to our laboratory
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This list of mold related illness symptoms and complaints is arranged alphabetically and begins just below. This list is a combination specific, diagnosed medical illnesses and other anecdotally reported complaints associated with mold in buildings.
Research to establish a firm chain of causation between mold and other indoor particles (or other substances) and these complaints in many cases has not been
completed.
We capitalize names of known medical conditions. While the following list may be of assistance to some readers researching this topic, it should by no means be considered as
scientifically authoritative nor complete.
Some complaints are listed here without any solid medical evidence regarding causation, if the complaints
have been expressed to us by people investigating mold-related illness or building mold contamination. Such data should be considered for research purposes
and not medically authoritative.
Alphabetic List of Mold Related Illnesses and Health Complaints, both Medical and Anecdotal - alphabetical
We are interested in adding to this list as well as providing succinct symptom lists associated with medically-diagnosed mold related illnesses.
Suggestions and criticism are invited.
mild to severe and from transitory to chronic - Ref: Middleton and assoc.
Allergic bronchiopulmonary Aspergillosis - worsening of underlying asthma or cystic fibrosis,
coughing up blood, weight loss - uncommon
Allergic Rhinitis and asthma are associated with responses mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE)
altered immunity
anaphylaxis
apnea, sleep
Aspergilloma (fungal growth in lung), cough, coughing up blood, weight loss. Uncommon.
asthma and asthmatic signs
asthma, adult onset
asthma, sudden onset, any age
asthma, increased symptoms or renewal of previously diminished symptoms
Asthma due to fungal allergens: chest tightness, wheezing, cough, dyspnea. Worsens w/ exposure.
Cx typically occur within 1 hr of exposure
B
balance, loss of
bladder and kidney pain
bleeding lungs
blood pressure irregularities
body aches and muscle pains
boils on skin, especially neck, especially following disturbance of moldy materials (S. chartarum)
(photos on file)
breathing difficulties
Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis / allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: inflammatory disease
caused by immunologic response Aspergillus sp.,
usually A. fumigatus, growing in bronchi of asthmatics
reported in immunocompromised patients and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
and has been linked to building-related illness (BRI)
bruising easily
burning mouth
burning eyes
burning throat
burning lungs
C
cancer
candida, systemic
Chronic Candidiasis FAQ - see Dr. Fungus: doctorfungus.org/mycoses/human/candida/Chronic_Candidiasis.htm
central nervous system disorders (CNS)
chest pain associated with excessive coughing
chills
choking
cholesterol or triglycerides unusual variations
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
chronic sinus infections
coated tongue
coccidioidomycosis
colds, recurrent
constipation
cough, dry hacking
coughing up blood
cryptococcosis
D
dandruff resistant to usual treatments
dark urine
death in extreme cases (humans, other animals)
depression
Dermatitis: red, itchy skin, rashes
diarrhea
difficulty concentrating
difficulty in swallowing
dirt-like taste in mouth
disorientation
dizziness
E
endometriosis
eye infections, (beware of undiagnosed fungal eye infections), loss of vision
eye irritation
F
face flushing intermittent
facial movements, unexplained twitching
farmers' lung disease
fevers
fibrous discharge from the nose, nasal fibers, mucosa - (See Morgellon's syndrome or Morgellon's disease below)
fibromyalgia - numerous websites and articles discuss possible
connections between mold exposure and
Fibromyalgia - including these:
http://www.mold-survivor.com/fibromyalgia.html
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/SigmaXi/docs/PosterSummaries2003/zagory-
jessica.pdf#search=%22Fibromyalgia%20mold%20%22 - Swarthmore study
http://www.personalconsult.com/cgi-bin/htsearch - free clinical search
we have also corresponded with people who report suffering from Fibromyalgia and significant mold
exposures, though the identification of genera/species and level of exposure were lacking.
flu-like symptoms: WARNING: flu-like symptoms can be a sign of potentially
fatal carbon monoxide poisoning! Immediate help may be required.
food allergies
frequent bloody noses
frequent infections
fungal infections, systemic such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis,
responding to contaminated bird droppings or construction dusts
G
Glucan sensitivity:
Glucans are glucose polymers that are components of most fungal cell walls, and exposure
to airborne 13-beta-D-glucan has been known to cause irritation symptoms due to airway
inflammation (7). However, these irritant effects are transient and self-limiting
hypersensitivity to airborne allergens or house dust
hypersensitivity to mold
hypersensitivity pneumonitis, associated with T-cell responses and responses mediated by
immunoglobulin G (IgG).
hypersensitivity pneumonitis is characterized by recurrent symptoms of
fever, cough, and chest tightness
and the presence of pulmonary infiltrates on a chest radiograph.
Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis features progressive dyspnea,
fatigue, interstitial pneumonitis, and
pulmonary fibrosis (Farmer's lung)
Morgellon's syndrome or Morgellon's disease: symptoms including
fibers in nasal secretions
fibers in skin and scalp particles or scrapings - skin lesions
mucous accumulation on back of the throat
multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
mycosis - various mycoses ascribed to mold exposure including
Aspergillosis
Blastomycosis
Candidiasis
Coccidioidomycosis
Cryptococcosis
Histoplasmosis
Paracoccidiomycosis
Sporotrichosis
Zygomycosis
also see Trichothecene poisoning (below)
mycotoxicosis - Mycotoxins, which typically are cytotoxic, disrupt cell membranes
and interfere with the synthesis of protein, RNA, and DNA
The only well-documented human mycotoxicoses have been the result
of ingestion rather than inhalation
nasal discharge, green slime, fungus, mucous, other (See Morgellon's syndrome or Morgellon's disease above)
neck boils or round rash spots (see online photos)
pets, sudden odd behavior, aggressiveness, disorientation, running in circles,
stumbling, falling, respiratory disorder, sudden death, incl8uding death of pets due to
pulmonary hemorraging [area of ongoing research by DJF - web author]
See: circling disease in sheep. See "The Toxic Effects of Mycotoxins on Humans, Sheep, & Possibly on Pets" discussed at MOLD EXPOSURE STANDARDS
pets, Cryptococcosis of Cats
poor appetite
puffy or droopy eyes
Pulmonary hemorrhaging: Stachybotrys chartarum (S. atra) is a large sticky spore not easily made airborne.
Stachybotrys mycotoxin was thought to cause acute pulmonary hemorrhage and death
in infants, but the CDC has stated that the association has not been proved).
About 10 ng of mycotoxins are produced for every 1 million mold spores [Probably
widely variable from zero to high numbers based on environmental variables as well
as species variation--DF].
Assuming the exposure is cumulative, inhalation of 109 spores per hour would be
required for toxic effects. [This is a very low level and easily obtained in
circumstances where occupants are exposed to moldy building materials during
demolition or cleaning.-- DJF]
Therefore, [in the opinion of some experts--DF] it is unlikely that inhalation
of fungal parts presumed to contain mycotoxins could produce significant human
illness--particularly in a nonagricultural setting.
Tightness in the chest (this can be a common symptom of many complaints including mold-triggered asthma attacks)
Tinea: most common fungal disease is this superficial mycosis, not linked to
IAQ/building-related illness
Tremors (shaking)
Trichothecene poisoning (Alternate names: Mycotoxins, T2, Yellow rain) - possibly related to mycotoxin exposure from some molds.
The US CDC offers lab criteria for diagnosis of Trichothecend poisoning including:
Biologic: Selected commercial laboratories are offering immunoassays to identify
trichothecenes or trichothecene-specific antibodies in human blood or urine (2, 3).
However, these procedures have not been analytically validated and are not
recommended.
Environmental: Detection of trichothecene mycotoxins in environmental samples,
as determined by FDA.
References for poisoning by mycotoxins, T2, Yellow Rain, or Trichothecenes: Clinical Guide to Bioweapons and Chemical Agents, Vincent E. Friedewald, Springer, London, ISBN 978-1-84628-787-9 (online),
Trichothecene poisoning is discussed in depth at the US CDC website where the
following references are also provided:
Wannemacher RW Jr, Wiener SL. Trichothecene mycotoxins. In: Zajtchuk R, Bellamy RF, eds. Textbook of military medicine: medical aspects of chemical and biologic warfare. Washington, DC: Office of the Surgeon General at TMM Publications, Borden Institute, Walter Reed Army Medical Center; 1997:655-77.
Croft WA, Jastromski BM, Croft AL, Peters HA. Clinical confirmation of trichothecene mycotoxicosis in patient urine. J Environ Biol 2002;23:301-20.
Vojdani A, Thrasher HD, Madison RA, Gray MR, Heuser G, Campbell AW. Antibodies to molds and satratoxin in individuals exposed in water-damaged buildings. Arch Environ Health. 2003;58:421-32.
Tuomi T, Reijula K, Johnsson T, et al. Mycotoxins in crude building materials from water-damaged buildings. Appl Environ Microbiol 2000;66:1899-904.
US CDC:
"Case Definition: Trichothecene Mycotoxin", http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/trichothecene/casedef.asp 3/30/09 discusses the possibility of making weapons from Trichothecene mycotoxins.
vaginal yeast infections - wee Women' health problems (below)
vertigo or dizziness
VOC sensitivity:
volatile organic chemicals may reach levels sufficient to produce central nervous system symptoms such as headache, inability to concentrate, or dizziness
yeast infections, vaginal, (other?) symptoms: Vaginal. Recurrent episodes of Candida vaginitis associated with the classic
symptoms of pruritus, burning and abnormal discharge.
Gastrointestinal. Heartburn, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
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Can Mold Make You Sick? We live in a sea of mold, and other stuff in
the air we breathe, on cushions we sit on, clothes we wear, pools we swim-in,
and so on. Most mold is not hurting anyone, and some of it makes us well when
we're sick(Penicillium notatum, for example). Fear of mold (mycophobia)
is unjustified and in our opinion, more a result of media hype, enviro-scare, and
gouging consumers. A healthy person walking through a room of moldy air is not
likely to die. On the other hand, there is a wealth of less rigorous empirical
data matching occupant complaints with indoor mold and allergens. Finally, for
certain people, mold can be a serious problem if it's at high levels indoors.
It's probably an overstatement by those authorities who assert that "...
there are no proven links between mold and illness." we refer readers to
some of our lab's references for descriptions of illness-related molds, some of which are found in Buildings:
Identifying Filamentous Fungi, A Clinical Laboratory Handbook, Guy St-Germain, Richard Summerbell, Star Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-89863-177-7
Fundamentals of Diagnostic Mycology, F. Fisher, N.Cook, W.B. Saunders, 1998, ISBN 0-7216-5006-6
Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 2nd Ed., G.S. de Hoog, J. Guarro, J. Gene & M.J. Figueras, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2000 ISBN 90-70351-43-9.
postgraduate medicine online
http://www.moldinspector.com/ (informative site, sells books about mold)
http://www.cleanwaterpartners.org/mold/related-illnesses.html (Environmental Law Firm site)
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/HESIS/molds.pdf California DHS "Molds in Indoor Workplaces"
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
Classes of Mold: what types of cosmetic, allergenic, or toxic mold are a problem? Can mold be cleaned-up successfully?
Mold Action Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions, What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens
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The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
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