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How Do Doctors Test For Mold Exposure?

August 16, 2019 by Lisa McIntyre

If you have molds in your home and you’re not paying any heed to your surroundings, you are putting your health in jeopardy. Molds are fungal species known to create havoc in your life. It is the moisture to be blamed for insidious mold growth in your homes. Having molds in homes and buildings is a pressing problem that should not be overlooked.

Wherever there is high humidity, these spores grow abundantly. Not only humidity feeds molds but also the puddles and the damp materials in your homes give these molds a safe and favorable place to live. Therefore, living in a water-damaged home or building can lead to serious health issues. This allows the tiny bubble of fear to expand in the heads of landowners and business owners.

If you have a hunch that molds are thriving at your place, take it seriously. The best way to get to these molds is by noticing water stains on walls, discoloration of paint, surface deterioration, flaky wallpaper, musty odor, etc.

Before we let you know how doctors test for mold exposure, it is of supreme importance to first get you acquainted with the mold-centered health problems for which you’ll turn to your doctor.

Molds are capable of producing many substances that can be detrimental. Allergens, irritants, and biotoxins (mycotoxins) are a threat to human health.

It has been stated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that longer exposure to mold spores can irritate the skin, nose, throat, eyes, and lungs of individuals. Even if you’re not allergic to mold spores, you can still experience these symptoms.

Mold Allergy:

If you are someone having a mold allergy, your immune system gets triggered when you inhale quite a lot of mold spores. The signs and symptoms shown by individuals mirror those of other allergies which include:

  1. Sneezing and coughing
  2. Postnasal drip
  3. Stuffy or blocked nose
  4. Itchy eyes, skin, and throat
  5. Dry, scaly skin with rashes

If you’re an asthma patient, your condition will worsen upon exposure to molds. You’ll experience chest stiffness, shortness of breath, fever, flu-like symptoms, runny nose, watery eyes, etc.

Black Mold Exposure – Mold Poisoning:

These are molds that are green or black in appearance. The most common species of the black mold is Stachybotrys chartarum. It has been speculated that many black molds are toxigenic, which means they release mycotoxins that are particularly harmful to people with preexisting conditions.

When these mycotoxins begin to accumulate in the body, it may lead to a condition known as mold poisoning which affects the upper respiratory system adversely.

Common mold poisoning symptoms are the same as that of mold allergies. People who are suffering from asthma or any other chronic lung disease, these mycotoxins will make their condition miserable. They will exhibit severe symptoms such as:

  1. Headache or migraine
  2. Sinusitis
  3. Chest colds
  4. Persistent coughing
  5. Fever
  6. Breathing difficulty
  7. Muscle cramps
  8. Anxiety
  9. Hand and feet numbness
  10. Stomach pain

After becoming conversant with the health issues caused by molds, it’s high time to discuss how doctors test for mold exposure.

How Do Doctors Test For Mold Exposure?

If you ever experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, immediately see a doctor.

Several tests are recommended by the doctor to test for mold exposure. To diagnose mold poisoning or allergies, your doctor will go for blood or skin test.

Let’s shed some light on these tests.

  1. Blood Test: In this test, the sample for testing is the patient’s blood. Your doctor withdraws your blood and sends the sample to the testing laboratory. A blood test can measure the response of your immune system to biotoxins by checking the number of certain antibodies (IgE) in your bloodstream.
  2. Skin Prick Test: This is a test in which your skin is punctured and then diluted amounts of suspected allergens (molds) are applied in that area. If you get a raised bump or hive at the test location, you’re allergic. But if no such bump is observed, you’re not allergic to molds.

However if the above tests confirm a positive reaction, you’ll immediately have to get your condition treated.

Treatment For Mold Exposure:

The best treatment is to avoid places that trigger your allergic reactions. To put you at ease, your doctor may suggest the following:

  1. Nasal sprays – used to reduce nose stuffiness. Also, a solution of warm, sterile water and saline may be prescribed to irrigate your nasal passages to get rid of entrapped mold spores.
  2. Anti-histamines – used to block histamine (inflammatory chemical) that mediates allergic reactions. They are also helpful in alleviating airway inflammation.
  3. Oral Decongestants – used for the relief of blocked/stuffy nose.

Conclusion:

Sharing a life with molds is like endangering your existence. Molds inhabit every place that is damp or wet. They are a constant source of stress and anxiety for the home and business owners. To do away with molds, you’ll have to control moisture. If you turn a blind eye to these molds, they will grow profusely to make you sick. Always call an expert like Dry Effect if you need assistance.

“Health is wealth.” Take measures to remove the burden of these molds and save your life.

Always remember: “Prevention is better than cure.”

Category: Mold

About Lisa McIntyre

Lisa McIntyre has always resided in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. She graduated from University of Cincinnati with a degree in Applied Science. Ultimately, her passion for science and teaching came to fruition after her husband requested her assistance in developing Dry Effect Restoration Services. She was able to develop her knowledge, degrees and certifications further in many indoor air quality associations and organizations. Thus allowing her to educate Realtors and Insurance Agents on the damages that many common indoor air quality irritants and water bacterial growths can lead to in ones home or business. Over 10 years later she’s glad to have taken the leap of faith to assist her husband what seemed to be a fun project into a lifetime achievement and to see the individuals she teaches prosper from their newly found knowledge.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Louise Rothman

    May 26, 2022 at 2:21 pm

    How much is a test for mould?

    Do you do parasite testing as well?

    Reply
  2. Demetra Green

    June 21, 2022 at 6:00 pm

    i have all these all these of above . mold and fungus

    Reply
  3. Donna Douglas

    July 7, 2022 at 8:19 am

    I live in a damp moldy house…I can see the Black Mold.I have been to numerous DR’s because of
    Watery eyes and runny nose,constantly.I get severe headaches and achs and pains in my joints.
    Nausea and severe Diarrhea.My Dr’s think I am crazy.I was told I do not have Allergy’s by every DR.I also have sinuitis.I can not affoed to tell my landlord for fear of consequences.I can not live a normal life!

    Reply
  4. Deborah Harris

    July 16, 2022 at 3:56 pm

    I have been suffering with the above mentioned symptoms for about 4-5 years now and my primary Dr told me there were No tests in California to test for black mold exposure in my body.
    I have gone around and around with him about it! Over a year ago my pulmonary Dr did ct of my chest to find that I have had a “chronic infection” in my chest.
    He did nothing about it. As a matter of fact he was insistent for me to get X-rays, claiming that test would be More in depth to find out where and why I have this infection. I stopped seeing him and am now seeing a new pulmonologist and he just had me go for blood work for it but the lab told me they don’t do testing for black mold Anywhere in California!?!
    I’m very concerned about it cause the most recent ct scan now shows inflammation in my chest. I have had chronic sinusitis for over 5 years now and feel completely drained every day!
    My asthma has gotten worse, I’ve been diagnosed with stage 2 copd.
    If there’s Any light you can shed, I would Greatly Appreciate it.

    Kind Regards,
    Deborah Harris
    2debbiem@gmail.com

    Reply
  5. Esther Dixon

    July 18, 2022 at 12:55 pm

    I have some serious concerns. I do not know where to turn, My boyfriend and I are dealing with mold in our APPMT. REPEATED COMPLAINTS TO THE LANDLORD/OWNER WITH NO HELP. MY symptoms range from dry cough, itchy red eyes, dripping nose, bleeding fingers, peeling scaley skin, upset stomach, frequent bowl movements a day, sharp pain, swollen feet and legs, and my once 925 silver rings on my hands have turned BLACK AGAIN after cleaning them once over with tarnex. The mold in the BATHROOM has a bug INFESTATION that has gripped onto the toilet seat, micro tiny bugs impossible to see through the naked eye, not catching this until feeling them crawling over and through my crack I discovered this nightmare, If you can give me ANY ADVICE, ASSISTANCE, ANYTHING I would be FOREVER IN DEBUTED TO YOU, I FEEL LIKE I AM LOSING MY MIND, IT IS GETTING HARDER EACH DAY. IT HAS BEEN SINCE JULY OF 2019 THAT WE REPORTED THE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE HAS DONE NOT ONE THING. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SINCERLY E,

    Reply

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