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
Home health complaints related to moisture or dampness
Allergens & allergy illnesses in the home, types, causes, prevention
Health complaints by people sending mold samples to our laboratory
Questions & answers about possible symptoms of mold related illness & health complaints
This Mold Related Illness Guide provides a broad index of reports of health complaints or symptoms, of Illnesses that are either caused, or aggravated by indoor mold exposure or alternatively, that were believed or suspected by individuals to have a role in their physical or mental health complaints.
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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.
Contact Us for content suggestions or link exchange requests.
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.
Warning: this MOLD RELATED ILLNESS SYMPTOMS list is a complaint list, not a medical document. It has not been peer-reviewed by the medical profession, and this list is not in any medical sense authoritative, nor can it be complete. It does, however, collect both substantiated mold-related-illness complaints and a wide sampling of the nature and range of other complaints from people who believe or fear that mold or similar exposure has been a factor in their physical or mental health, a general reference for individuals or physicians interested in reading the nature and range of these complaints that may or may not actually be building or environment-related.
Allergy symptoms (wide variety of), 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)
"Damp house linked to kids' risk of nasal allergies", New York Times, 1 Aug 2010
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)
I
Immune system deterioration, decreased resistance
indigestion
infertility
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis - pneumonia, fever, bone pain, chills - occurs
in immunocompromised patients - uncommon
irritation: aggravated existing allergic rhinitis or asthma
irritability
irritable bowel syndrome
itching skin, eye, nose, mouth
J
judgment, loss of ability to think clearly and make decisions
K
kidney pain and failure
L
learning difficulties
leaky gut syndrome
liver pain
long lasting flu-like symptoms
M
Memory loss
Menopause, unanticipated onset
Metallic taste in mouth
Migraine headaches
Mood swings, sudden
Morgellon's syndrome or Morgellon's disease: symptoms including
fibers in nasal secretions
fibers in skin and scalp particles or scrapings - skin lesions. According to the Mayo Clinic Staff,
Morgellons disease is a mysterious skin disorder characterized by disfiguring sores and crawling sensations on and under the skin. Although Morgellons disease isn't widely recognized as a medical diagnosis, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating reports of the condition, which they refer to as unexplained dermopathy. ... Morgellons disease shares characteristics with various recognized conditions, including Lyme disease, liver or kidney disease, schizophrenia, drug or alcohol abuse, and a mental illness involving false beliefs about infestation by parasites (delusional parasitosis -Mayo Clinic
Note: OPINION-DF: various indoor environmental contaminants may in some cases be associated with skin irritation complaints, including exposure of insulation workers to high levels of contact with fiberglass insulation. In our experience skin irritation from fiberglass insulation generally diminishes rapidly and stops within 24-48 hours of bathing and thorough washing of dusty clothing - Ed.
Question on Morgellons and fiber identification:
I am a Morgellons Sufferer, how would you feel about analyzing my fibers? [I am attaching a ] slide show of 3 different samples, .... At least you can see the "hair" inside the bag.
I have a video on youtube;
I took the images with a hand held QX5 Microscope. All images are the "things" that came out of my skin. I had the bugs in my skin, but I didn't have a microscope then.
I've heard of some 20 pathogens involved in Morgellons. Fungus is believed to be one of them.
- G.P.
Reply:
I took a look at your photos, but I cannot identify anything that is diagnostic or useful from those images other than to comment that I saw what appear to be hairs (and possibly other fibers) stored in plastic bags.
Your QX5 microscope, while useful for general fiber examination at up to 200x, is unlikely to be adequate to the task of both fiber and small particle identification both because of limitations of the equipment and because training and experience in particle identification are important. To examine and identify fibers or small particles, including fungal spores, insect fragments, or non-fungal debris, requires both proper forensic traning in the type of particles being examined and training in microscopy, including the use of high powered light and polarized light microscopy, typically from 400x to 1200x.
Unfortunately examining hairs or fibers at low power is probably not reliable nor diagnostic. You should of course discuss your symptoms and concerns with a physician who is expert in environmental medicine. And if the physician obtains medical samples from skin surface or sub-surface areas and that need identification, in addition to medical lab examination, a particle or forensic lab might then be of service. - DF
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
also see Trichothecene poisoning (below)
N
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)
Pungent odors may initiate avoidance reactions, a generalized feeling of
discomfort, breath holding, and a burning sensation on the skin
Open skin sores and lacerations
open sores on head
organic dust toxic syndrome
P
Peripheral nervous system effects
personality changes
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; pet fatalities including pulmonary hemorrhaging, aberrant pet behavior similar to circling disease in sheep
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.
QR
Rashes
redness of eyes
respiratory distress
Rhinitis
Ringing in ears
Runny nose
S
Seizures [Obseved also in animals/pets - DF]
smells, increased sensitivity to
spleen pain
shortness of breath (see Asthma, COPD, respiratory disorders)
sinus congestion
Sinusitis, cronic
skin rashes or irritation
skin redness
sleep disorders
slurred speech or verbal dysfunction (trouble in speaking)
sneezing fits
spitting up or vomiting mucous
swollen glands
swollen lymph nodes
Syndromes, mold-related
Chromoblastomycosis
Eye Infections
Lobomycosis
Mycetoma
Nail, Hair, and Skin disease
Onychomycosis (Tinea unguium)
Piedra
Pityriasis versicolor
Tinea barbae
Tinea capitis
Tinea corporis
Tinea cruris
Tinea favosa
Tinea nigra
Tinea pedi
Otomycosis
Phaeohyphomycosis
Rhinosporidiosis
Systemic candida infection
T
Throat irritation
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
vomiting (nausea)
WXYZ
Weakness, loss of strength
wheezing breath
women's health problems, nonspecific
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.
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
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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:
"Damp house linked to kids' risk of nasal allergies", New York Times, 1 Aug 2010 (Reuters Health). The New York Times reported that "Children who live in damp, water-damaged homes may be more likely than other kids to develop nasla allergies, a new study suggests." The Finnish study of 1,900 children over a six year period found that 16 percent of damp-home children were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis over the next 6 years compared with just under 12 percent of children whose parents reported no dampness problems. [NOTE: our field and lab experience indicate that homeowners are not accurate in reporting the presence of mold and dampness problems except when conditions are sufficiently severe that there is ample visible or odor evidence of mold or other contaminants.-DF]
"Home Dampness and Molds as Determinants of Allergic Rhinitis in Childhood: A 6-Year, Population-based Cohort Study",
Jouni J. K. Jaakkola*, Bing-Fang Hwang and Maritta S. Jaakkola,
* Correspondence to Dr. Jouni J. K. Jaakkola, Institute of Health Sciences, Aapistie 1, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland (e-mail: jouni.jaakkola@oulu.fi),
Accepted for publication April 8, 2010., The authors assessed the relation between exposure to dampness and molds in dwellings and the development of allergic rhinitis in childhood in a 6-year, population-based prospective cohort study of 1,863 children aged 1–7 years at baseline in 1991 (follow-up rate, 77%) from Espoo, Finland. The studied exposures were history of water damage, presence of moisture and visible mold, and perceived mold odor in the home, based on parent-administered questionnaire. A total of 246 (13.2%) children developed physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis during the study period, resulting in an incidence rate of 440 cases per 10,000 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 387, 499). In logistic regression adjusting for confounding, any mold or dampness exposure indicator at baseline (adjusted odds ratio = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.18), at follow-up (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.18), or both (adjusted odds ratio = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.98) was an important independent determinant of the risk of allergic rhinitis. Of the individual indicators, water damage and moisture on the surfaces were consistent determinants of allergic rhinitis. The results of this cohort study, which assessed exposure before the onset of allergic rhinitis, strengthen considerably the evidence of the role of indoor dampness problems as determinants of allergic rhinitis in children.
Keywords: air pollution, indoor; fungi; housing; rhinitis, allergic, perennial
American Journal of Epidemiology Advance Access published online on July 16, 2010
American Journal of Epidemiology, doi:10.1093/aje/kwq110
Oxford University Press The American Journal of Epidemiology is the premier epidemiological journal devoted to the publication of empirical research findings, methodological developments in the field of epidemiological research and opinion pieces. It is aimed at both fellow epidemiologists and those who use epidemiological data, including public health workers and clinicians. ISSN: 1476-6256
"Morgellons disease: managing a mysterious skin condition", The Mayo Clinic, web search 02/27/2011, original source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/morgellons-disease/sn00043
References Useful for Diagnosing Causes of Mold Related Illness
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 & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Atlas of Indoor Mold, Online Clinical Mold Atlas, Toxins, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
Building Floods: quick steps after a building flood or plumbing leak can prevent costly mold contamination
Classes of Mold: what types of cosmetic, allergenic, or toxic mold are a problem? Can mold be cleaned-up successfully?
"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
"Disease Prevention Program for Certain Vegetable Crops," David B. Langston, Jr., Extension Plant Pathologist - Vegetables, University of Georgia (PDF document) original source: www.reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/209797.html
"Disease Prevention in Home Vegetable Gardens,"
Patricia Donald,
Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology,
Lewis Jett
Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri Extension - extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6202
Fifth Kingdom, Bryce Kendrick, ISBN13: 9781585100224, is available from the InspectAPedia online bookstore - we recommend the CD-ROM version of this book. This 3rd/edition is a compact but comprehensive encyclopedia of all things mycological. Every aspect of the fungi, from aflatoxin to zppspores, with an accessible blend of verve and wit. The 24 chapters are filled with up-to-date information of classification, yeast, lichens, spore dispersal, allergies, ecology, genetics, plant pathology, predatory fungi, biological control, mutualistic symbioses with animals and plants, fungi as food, food spoilage and mycotoxins.
Fungi, Identifying Filamentous, A Clinical Laboratory Handbook, Guy St-Germain, Richard Summerbell, Star Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-89863-177-7 (English)
Mold Action Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions, What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens
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