The next step after discovering mycotoxin build up in the body is finding the SOURCE of it!

So first, what are mycotoxins?

Molds make toxins called mycotoxins, primarily to keep other molds out of their “home” they have created. In other words, mold competes with mold to survive in whichever environment they have decided to make a home in.

These mycotoxins are what enter our body to create this mold toxicity that produces the vast array of symptoms unique to this illness.

Exposure to mold could have happened 20, 30, 40 years ago and still stay present within the body! The exposure does not have to be current.

But it’s important to check the home, workplace, car or any other area you spend a lot of time in to rule out current exposure.

How to evaluate for current exposure?

Listen to my podcast episode with PJ Harlow, a renowned holistic mold and remediation expert. We go over potential exposures, how to assess the home, tips in case you have trouble leaving a moldy home and more.

Subscribe to the Holistic Hub Podcast located on all platforms including YouTube, Spotify & Apple!

Here are some steps to take for checking the home:

1. Musty smell in any room

2. You feel worse in any part of the home, or symptoms become more exaggerated there

3. Look for any “bubbling” in cabinetry, walls, floors or ceilings

4. Look for cracking or peeling of paint or building materials

5. Buckling or separating of any building materials

6. Rust or white powdery substance on concrete

7. Staining on window sills or walls

Further steps to take:

1. With a flashlight, inspect walls, ceilings, floors and carpets for water stains or moisture. Walls that have been exposed to water can appear to look swollen and be soft to tough. With wallpaper, peel back a corner to look for mold and with baseboards too

2. Inspect wood floors for warping

3. Look at windows for interior condensation

4. Check internal windows or door frames for mold spots, paint erosion, stains, or rotted wood

5. Check to make sure humidity is NOT rising over 50% in the home, this is a breeding ground for mold to grow

6. Inspect all visible pipes under the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as checking for water stains

7. Check bathroom tiles for missing or loose caulking, moldy grout

8. Always look in your attic as this is a very common place for mold growth: if there is a fan that goes to the attic definitely check this, look for stains, insulation dampness

9. Always look into basement or crawlspaces, as these are also big locations for mold growth. Check for visible mold, and mold smells, check the water heater and HVAC system for leaks, and assess for humidity levels too

10. Lastly, walk around the exterior of the home to see if there are any water, puddles or moisture fettling against the home. Look for any signs of rotting wood from water around windows and entrances

How to treat mold illness?

Stay tuned for my next newsletter covering this topic!

The first step should always be to find if there is a hidden source providing current exposure.

Consultations

As a functional health consultant I specialize in MCAS, mold toxicity and chronic SIBO. You can work one on one with me virtually by booking a discovery call or signing up for my waitlist.

I am so passionate about helping others recover from chronic illness, because this should not be a life sentence as many of us are brought to believe.

You can thrive and gain your life back, the first step in all this is hope.

You can also reach me by emailing [email protected] 

Have a beautiful start to your week!

Health & happiness,

Dr. Steph