Functional Medicine for:
Mould Related Illness
Testing, Solutions and Recovery
Despite the UK’s unique predisposition to mould-related illness with old buildings and a damp environment, it is still largely underappreciated as a major contributor towards many chronic illnesses. There appears to be a lack of awareness about how to navigate it when you do get sick. This page seeks to inform on the impact of mould and how we can support individuals who are suspicious of its presence through a Functional Medicine approach.
Mould in the UK
According to the English Housing Survey, around 904,000 homes in England had problems with damp in 2021. This increases the risk of health issues from things such as mould growth. In 2019, an estimated 653,000 households in England lived with a ‘category 1 hazard’, and the potential to lead to serious health and safety risks.
Other research has revealed that 62% of people in the UK claim to have had an issue with mould in their homes at least once. The top 5 areas affected were:
%
London
%
Birmingham
%
Manchester
%
Leeds
%
Nottingham
How Do You Know If You Have Mould Problems?
Tracking down mould can be challenging. In some circumstances, mould growth is very obvious due to being visible or musty smells. However other times it is not, and requires you to assess your environment more closely and to observe the types of symptoms you are developing.
Symptoms Suggestive of Mould Exposure
In many circumstances, mould cannot be seen or smelt and, therefore, individuals are unaware there is mould in their environment. The development of symptoms due to the body reacting to mould is often the first thing that alerts them to it’s presence. This is often identified by working with a trained health professional.
Allergies
Upregulated immune activity can increase its reactivity to environmental triggers, and present as an MCAS-type phenomenon.
Fatigue
Mould can cause significant inflammation in the body which inhibits mitochondrial function along with the direct impact of mycotoxins.
Cognitive Deficits
Brain fog, depression and anxiety have all been correlated with mould exposure due to its potential to cause inflammation in the body.
Respiratory Illness
Asthma, frequent chest infections, coughing, sinusitis or a runny nose are common symptoms as mould triggers the immune system.
Immune System
Mould can cause inflammation but also suppress the immune system and give an opportunity for viral and other opportunistic infections to take place.
Common Signs of Mould in Your Home/Environment:
Black Stains
Mould growth can sometimes be visible, although it often resides in locations which are not immediately visible such as washing machines, wooden furniture, wallpaper and basements.
Musty Smells
Musty smells often accompany mould growth and particularly happens in locations with poor air flow.
Bubbling Wallpaper
Bubbling wallpaper can be a sign of mould growth under it’s surface and can be revealed once pulled back.
Damp or Condensation
Areas of damp and moisture accumulation are perfect locations for mould growth to occur.
Water Damage
Stains and other evidence of past water damage can be a significant clue to the presence of mould which can persist after the damage has occurred.
How Does Mould Cause Health Problems?
Mould has been shown to play a role in numerous chronic health conditions such as asthma1, allergy2, MCAS3, respiratory disease4, eczema4 and has been suggested to contribute to autoimmune disease5, neurological conditions5, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)6 and POTS.6
Immune Dysfunction
Mould exposure and its associated components can cause a dysregulation of the immune system. In some circumstances it can trigger increased inflammation via antibody and cytokine production, however, it can also damage immune cells and lead to a compromised immune state to make an individual susceptible to other infections.
Mould Spores
Spores are produced by mould to enable it to spread. In some individuals, inhalation/contact of spores can trigger the production of antibodies from our immune system and can result in an allergy via an IgE antibody response.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile Organic Compounds are produced by mould as it grows on organic material and is often responsible for the smell associated with mould. It evaporates easily and becomes airborne at room temperature and can been identified to cause irritation of the mucous membranes of our body.
Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are very small fragments released by mould, and some types can be significantly harmful as they typically remain airborne for much longer than spores and have the ability to be deposited deep within bodily tissue, causing significant immune reactions and inflammation.
Internal Collinisation
Mould and other fungal species are able to colonise the body and take up residence in the microbiome of susceptible individuals. In this instance, the individual themselves can become the source of exposure, even after the original exposure has been removed, which can significantly trigger immune activity. This phenomenon can be identified through Organic Acid Testing.
1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11882-016-0667-9 2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1438463916305612?via%3Dihub 3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30043558/ 4. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1002410 5. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3200/AEOH.58.8.464-474 6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1568997218302660?via%3Dihub
The Roadmap to Mould Recovery
Many people are aware that they are being exposed to mould, however, many underestimate the effects it can have on their health, and more importantly, how to support their health with an ongoing exposure.
1. Assessing the Individual
Mould exposure can cause widespread and obscure symptoms and therefore a suspicion is maintained in complex chronic illness with no obvious cause. However, it often leaves a pattern of signs and symptoms which can be identified.
Asides from identifying its potential presence, understanding the capacity of an individual to deal with mould exposure through their nutritional status, detoxification abilities and identifying coexisting stressors is of equal importance.
2. Testing Options
Mould is often tricky to track down as it is not always visible, despite symptomatology suggesting exposure. Testing can be a useful way to gather objective data on its presence and can be conducted through various methods. Testing for mould can be done in a variety of ways depending on what may be most appropriate for the individual. This includes:
Mould IgG/IgE/IgA Antibody Panel – this test shows what type of mould your immune system is reacting to currently and has reacted to in past exposures. It can also identify mould related allergic reactions.
Mycotoxin Panel – this test identifies mycotoxins that are in your system due to current or past exposures.
Organic Acid Test – this test can provide markers to identify internal colonisation of mould/fungal species in the microbiome. In this instance, the individual becomes the source of exposure themselves.
3. Managing the Environment
If a significant exposure to mould is determined, then it is difficult for an individual to make a full recovery until the source has been found and addressed in some capacity. This may involve simple solutions such as improving airflow, air purification and managing humidity, or it can mean more extensive remediation if there is structural or water damage.
We can guide you on the typical locations a source of mould can be found; however, we also work alongside professional inspection and remediation companies when the task is more complex.
4. Supporting Your Recovery
Whilst work is conducted to manage to source of mould exposure, we will guide you on the things you can do to improve your resilience to mould and support your health. This often involves supporting the microbiome, antioxidant/antiinflammatory capacities and detoxification functions. In many cases, ongoing detox support is required after the immediate exposure has been removed to support the removal of mycotoxins in the body, which can build up during past exposures.
How Can I Help You?
Having undertaken specialist training in mould related illness, I have helped numerous clients to improve their health in addition to addressing the source of their mould problem. Send an enquiry if you would like help with your situation.