Mold Exposure & Mold-Related Illness
Personalized care for patients experiencing health concerns associated with mold and damp indoor environments.
Exposure to mold and damp indoor environments can affect health in different ways, particularly in people with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory sensitivities. Some patients also come to our practice with persistent or complex symptoms they believe may be related to mold exposure.
At Functional Medicine Collaborative, our practitioners take time to review your symptoms, health history, possible environmental exposures, previous testing, and other factors that may be relevant to your health.
Mold Exposure and Your Health
Damp and moldy indoor environments can affect people differently. Some people experience no noticeable symptoms, while others may develop allergic reactions, respiratory symptoms, or irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, skin, or lungs.
Health concerns associated with damp or moldy environments may include:
Nasal congestion, sneezing, or runny nose
Coughing or wheezing
Eye, nose, or throat irritation
Skin irritation or rash
Shortness of breath or chest tightness
Worsening asthma or allergy symptoms
People with asthma, mold allergies, chronic lung conditions, or weakened immune systems may be at greater risk for certain health effects related to mold exposure.
Symptoms associated with mold exposure can overlap with many other health conditions. Experiencing fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, digestive symptoms, or other persistent health concerns does not by itself establish mold exposure as the cause.
For patients with complex or ongoing symptoms, a thorough evaluation can help review possible environmental exposures alongside medical history, symptoms, previous testing, and other potential contributing factors.
Our Approach to Mold-Related Health Concerns
Care begins with a detailed review of your symptoms, health history, possible environmental exposures, previous testing, and treatments you may have already tried. From there, your practitioner can develop an individualized plan based on your specific health concerns and needs.
Addressing the Environment
When ongoing exposure to dampness or mold is suspected, addressing the source of moisture and mold in the environment is an important part of reducing continued exposure. Depending on the situation, this may involve repairing water or moisture problems, removing mold-damaged materials, or working with a qualified mold remediation professional.
Personalized Health Support
Recommendations are individualized based on your symptoms, medical history, nutrition, lifestyle, and other health concerns. Depending on your needs, your care plan may include nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, supplements, or other supportive therapies when appropriate.
Testing When Appropriate
Depending on your symptoms, health history, and possible environmental exposures, your practitioner may recommend laboratory testing as part of your evaluation. Functional Medicine Collaborative has access to several types of mycotoxin testing, including urine testing through Mosaic Diagnostics and Vibrant Wellness, as well as blood-based mycotoxin testing when appropriate.
Test results are interpreted alongside your symptoms, health history, environmental exposure history, and other clinical findings. Mycotoxin testing has important limitations and is not used by itself to determine whether mold exposure is the cause of a patient's symptoms.
Ongoing Follow-Up
Follow-up visits provide an opportunity to review your progress, discuss changes in symptoms or environmental exposures, and adjust recommendations based on your individual needs and response to care.
Common Questions About Mold Exposure
What are mycotoxins?
Mycotoxins are substances that some molds can produce under certain environmental conditions. Not all molds produce mycotoxins, and the presence of mold does not necessarily mean that mycotoxins are present. The potential health effects depend on the type and amount of exposure, and research into the health effects of indoor mycotoxin exposure is ongoing.
Does black mold mean the mold is toxic?
Not necessarily. “Black mold” is not a specific type of mold, and the color of mold does not determine whether it is more or less dangerous. Any indoor mold growth indicates a moisture problem that should be addressed, regardless of its color or species.
Can mold exposure cause fatigue or brain fog?
Some people living or working in damp or moldy environments report symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or difficulty concentrating. However, these symptoms are nonspecific and can have many possible causes. Experiencing them does not by itself establish mold exposure as the cause, which is why a broader medical evaluation may be important.
How do I know if mold in my home is affecting my health?
There is no single test that can determine whether mold in a particular building is responsible for a person's symptoms. Evaluation may include reviewing symptoms, health history, possible environmental exposures, and other potential causes. Visible mold or ongoing moisture problems should be addressed regardless of whether symptoms are present.
Should mold be removed from my home?
Yes. If mold is growing indoors, the source of moisture should be identified and corrected, and the mold should be properly removed. Simply killing mold without addressing the moisture problem is not enough, because mold growth can return if damp conditions remain.
Mold-Related Health Care in Massachusetts & Rhode Island
Our practitioners work with patients experiencing health concerns associated with mold and damp indoor environments. Care is individualized based on your symptoms, health history, environmental exposures, and other factors that may be relevant to your health.
Appointments are available at our South Dennis, Hingham, and Johnston locations, with virtual appointments also available.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your concerns, learn more about our approach, and determine whether Functional Medicine Collaborative may be a good fit for your needs.