What Are The Symptoms of Mould Illness?

Understanding Mould Illness: Two Types of Reactions

Key takeaway:

Symptoms of mould exposure fall into two categories – allergy reactions to mould spores and mycotoxin illness. Search online and most of the information you find will tell you about mould allergy symptoms, but that’s not the full story.

Allergy vs Toxicity

Some experience immediate allergy symptoms triggered by inhaling mould spores, while others develop mycotoxin-related illness, which is an accumulation of mycotoxins inside the body, which can linger for years even after the exposure ends. A person may have one or both of these conditions.

• Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system reacts to spores in the environment.
• Mycotoxin illness (mould toxicity) happens when mould toxins accumulate inside the body.

On our website, we use “mould illness” as an umbrella term to apply to all symptoms arising from mould. The important thing to know here is simply that there’s much more to the picture than mould allergy.

Allergy Symptoms: Immediate Reactions to Mould Spores

Key takeaway:

Allergy symptoms are related to exposure to mould spores and are mainly respiratory.

Symptoms of mould allergy can include:

• Sneezing, runny nose, or stuffy nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Skin rashes
• Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
• Sore throat

These symptoms typically flare when in a mouldy environment and often improve once the exposure is removed (although the picture may be more complicated if the mould has colonised the body).

Mycotoxin Illness: Long-Term Effects of Mould Toxins

Key takeaway:

Mould toxicity can linger for years, even long after exposure, and affect many aspects of health.

Mould Toxicity Symptoms

Unlike allergy symptoms, mycotoxin illness develops from mould toxins that accumulate inside the body. Mycotoxins are so tiny and travel easily through the body, interfering with anything and everything they meet along the way, so causing a wide range of symptoms, which can vary greatly from person to person.

The list that follows is not exhaustive – if you have concerns, take our Mould Illness Questionnaire.

Most Common Mould Illness Symptoms

• Headaches
• Poor sleep
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Mood changes
• Skin issues
• Sinus issues
• Digestive issues
• Symptoms & Conditions Highly Related to Mould Illness
• “Ice pick” or “lightning bolt” sensations
• Frequent static shocks
• Internal tremor or vibration
• Fibromyalgia, ME, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

If you recognise one or more of these, it may be worth investigating further with our Mould Illness Questionnaire.

Additional Symptoms of Mould Illness

Key takeaway: Mould can affect almost any system in the body, causing a wide range of symptoms.

1. Respiratory Issues

• Chronic sinus problems or infections
• Persistent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath

2. Chronic Fatigue & Body Aches

• Debilitating tiredness
• Muscle aches, joint pain, cramps

3. Cognitive & Neurological Disturbance

• Poor memory or concentration
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Tingling or numbness

4. Mood & Mental Health

• Anxiety, depression, or irritability
• Mood swings

5. Digestive Distress & Food Sensitivities

• Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea
• Malabsorption or unusual food sensitivities

6. Skin & Sensory Reactions

• Rashes, eczema-like patches, redness, itchiness
• Sensitivity to light, sound, chemicals, and EMFs

7. Other Clues

• Night sweats
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Frequent urination
• Temperature regulation issues

If you recognise clusters of symptoms, or any of the highly related symptoms above, taking our Mould Illness Questionnaire can help clarify whether mould may be contributing to your health issues.

For those whose questionnaire results suggest a higher likelihood of mould illness, a urinary mycotoxin test can provide more definitive insights. You can learn more about it here.

Taking the Next Step

Key takeaway:

Experiencing symptoms of mould illness can be concerning, but support is available.

Get Support Here

It’s completely understandable to feel worried if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above. Mould illness is complex, but there are practical steps you can take to identify exposure, support your body, and begin recovery.

If you want to learn more, you can download our free ebook Is Mould Making You Unwell?, or contact us directly and we’ll help you get the help you need.