Are you feeling unusual, out-of-the-ordinary symptoms that you can’t really explain? Sudden fatigue? Brain fog? Severe or prolonged coughing?
It could be mold.
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie Hutchinson, a part-time bridal hairstylist and affiliate manager, moved into a house temporarily while house hunting and soon faced an unexpected health crisis. She quickly started feeling horrible – severe brain fog, lethargy, and an unyielding cough. It turned out mold exposure was the culprit. Even after cleaning up the mold, Stephanie still deals with lasting health issues.
Can you share your story about how you first discovered the mold exposure in your home?
Leading up to the move I was in great health – I worked out pretty consistently and I had a ton of energy. We had the chance to move about 30 miles to be closer to family and friends so when someone offered to take over my old lease, it seemed perfect! My dad offered for us to stay in his house while we found a place to live which was only going to take a few months and he had the space. I didn’t know how that decision would lead to a very difficult few years for my health.
How did the mold exposure initially affect your health?
I have always been an early bird but about 3 days after I moved in, getting up became so hard, and my usual 5:30am wakeup time became 9 or 10:00. I was so severely fatigued, but I chalked it up to jet lag since we had recently traveled to the West Coast to visit my brother. I disassociated so much because my brain fog became so severe. Then, I developed a cough and constant headache … and I [previously] never got headaches. The right side of my neck was so stiff and I ended up with a month-long, deep ear infection in both ears.
How long did it take to identify mold as the source of your health issues?
I am very familiar with the health and wellness space and had been following holistic practitioners for years at this point, so in the first week, I told my dad, “I think I have a mold problem.” He responded, “You always think there is a mold problem,” and kind of laughed it off because he knows I am very sensitive to fragrances and the smell of mold.
As soon as I suspected mold, I made an appointment with a functional medicine doctor and did the Vibrant Wellness Mycotoxin test. These were my results [with the highest tests resulting in 220% and 450% above normal levels]:
Can you describe the steps you took to address and remove the mold from your home?
The day before my Mycotoxin test results came back, I found out there was a ton of mold in the crawlspace that shared a wall with the room where I was sleeping.
Immediately, we ordered an ERMI and sent it off, and scheduled remediation. Here were the results:
What changes did you make to your living environment? What were your next steps?
Thankfully, I had some amazing friends who let me and my daughter stay with them until we found a place. I know if we would have stayed there, I would have ended up very, very sick. I can’t imagine how someone must feel living in a house with unknown mold and symptoms that don’t seem to get better.
How have these changes impacted your overall health? Are you feeling any long-term effects?
I have struggled with my cortisol levels being very low in the mornings, hormone imbalances, brain fog, and weight gain since the mold exposure. While I was living in the mold, it was hard to even focus on the next steps or what to do to feel better. Mold exposure also reactivated my Epstein-Barr Virus and it felt like I had Mono all over again. It’s a slow process to heal and get all of my labs back to normal range, but hard work is paying off and I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Did you seek medical treatment for the mold exposure, and if so, what kind of treatments were most effective?
I have worked with a few different functional doctors over the years and I am slowly seeing progress. Consistency in the simple things makes the biggest impact on how I feel – hydrating with electrolytes, eating an organic nutrient-dense diet, staying away from processed food, and keeping my body moving. I take a binder most nights before bed and anytime I suspect mold exposure from a building. A binder is a supplement for mopping up extra toxins before they spill over and wreak havoc on the body and possibly trigger an immune reaction or get reabsorbed by the body (PS I love TrueCarbonCleanse for this). Healing my nervous system is at the top of my list for healing, too.
How has your experience with mold exposure influenced the way you parent your children?
Our immune systems both took a huge hit and my daughter who has never been sick more than a day or two in her life gets sick much more often. We have had to work hard on making better food choices, getting quality sleep, and being consistent with our supplements.
What advice would you give to others who might be dealing with mold exposure in their homes?
I know moving is not a solution for everyone but I would suggest that first. Get out of the environment as soon as you can. If you can’t leave I would make sure humidity levels stay low, open windows if your climate allows, fix any active water leaks, invest in a few air purifiers. The solution to pollution is dilution if you absolutely can’t leave.
Are there any resources or support systems you found helpful during this experience?
Having a doctor who understands what you are going through is HUGE. Mold illness is real and terrible and unless you live through it, it’s hard to understand how badly people can truly feel. Reach out to anyone who has struggled with mold illness for advice and know there are far more people who are dealing with this than you think.
How do you stay vigilant about maintaining a mold-free environment now and what advice do you have for people to minimize mold in their homes?
I purchased a few water sensor dots off of Amazon and they alert you when they come in contact with moisture. I have one under my dishwasher, behind my washer and refrigerator, and under all of my sinks. Make sure your under-sink area stays clutter-free so it’s easy to scan and detect any early leaks. When my washer is not in use, I always keep the lid open so it can dry. Make sure you don’t hang damp bath towels against the wall and let them fully dry out and keep your bathroom fan on for at least an hour after you use the bath or shower. My last piece of advice is to check humidity levels often in your home and grab a dehumidifier if you can.
Impact of Mold on Health According to NIH Studies
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has conducted extensive research on the health impacts of mold exposure, linking it to respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and neurological symptoms. A significant NIH study found that infants exposed to higher levels of mold are at increased risk of developing asthma by age seven.
The NIH’s National Toxicology Program (NTP) is studying the effects of mold on respiratory and immune health, identifying fungal organisms causing health effects, and understanding dose-dependent impacts. Their research aims to develop strategies for healthier indoor environments and reducing mold-related health issues.
What to Know About Mold in Pittsburgh
Increased rainfall in Pittsburgh has led to a rise in basement flooding and stormwater runoff, putting additional pressure on the city’s aging wastewater infrastructure. This has resulted in sewer backups, increasing the risk of residents being exposed to environmental contaminants. The presence of moisture from flooding fosters conditions where bacteria, mold, and other fungi thrive. These can exacerbate asthma and respiratory issues, and also impact behavioral and mental health.
Tamara Dubowitz, a senior policy researcher at RAND Corporation, emphasized the significant health effects associated with these environmental factors in Pittsburgh. She highlighted that increased moisture due to flooding or poor housing conditions related to weather can lead to psychological distress and anxiety among residents. Mold, in particular, poses a persistent threat in Pittsburgh housing, historically causing health concerns and structural damage.
Sarah Haig, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Swanson School for Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, emphasizes the critical health implications of indoor air quality and mold presence. “Mold found in homes presents a significant health risk, and accurately measuring and evaluating this risk can be challenging, costly, and time-intensive,” Haig explains. “Our objective is to devise a more streamlined and cost-effective method for assessing mold, enabling near-real-time risk evaluations.”
Preventing mold involves controlling moisture, fixing leaks promptly, and ensuring proper ventilation. Maintaining indoor humidity below 50% and regular cleaning with mold-killing products can significantly reduce mold growth and associated health risks.
If you suspect mold might be causing unexplainable changes in your overall health, professionals recommend contacting both your health practitioner and a mold remediation specialist immediately.
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