Exposure to toxic mold can have dangerous health repercussions. Reactions to mold include irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes, with symptoms including coughing and wheezing. In some people, the skin also has a reaction.
Those who need to see a doctor right away when exposed to toxic mold include people who are allergic to mold, have asthma or another pre-existing lung condition, or have a compromised immune system. However, otherwise healthy individuals can also suffer the effects of mold toxicity.
Let’s talk about the symptoms, testing, and treatment of mold poisoning, and who can help you work through it.
Symptoms of Mold Toxicity
The most common symptoms of mold exposure are a stuffy nose, itchy skin, and red, watery eyes. However, people who are allergy sufferers can suffer respiratory symptoms or have an asthma flare-up.
Prolonged exposure to toxic mold can have the effect of memory loss and confusion. The patient may also experience muscle cramping, anxiety, and difficulty breathing.
If you have a pulmonary or lung condition, it is extremely important to avoid exposure to mold. Mold will exacerbate symptoms that exist with conditions like asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and cystic fibrosis.
Testing for Mold Poisoning
Symptoms alone are not proof of mold poisoning, but its symptoms do warrant an evaluation by a physician. The patient should be sure to see a doctor who is board-certified in pulmonary care in order to determine whether the signs are indeed connected to mold poisoning or to something else.
The doctor will take a health assessment and health history, and will order blood testing. Antibodies in the patient’s body will be checked for a reaction to mold and to other allergens and poisons. The severity of the reaction will also be determined.
A skin test will also be part of the doctor’s examination. If the patient has an allergic reaction, it will show up in the form of a rash or bumps on the skin.
Treating Mold Allergies or Exposure
Allergy shots and oral medications, including over-the-counter antihistamines, may be recommended or prescribed to treat mold toxicity. Detoxifying the body from the effects of mold toxicity is best performed with a multi-pronged approach.
Holistic medicine is also useful in treating mold poisoning, particularly by employing therapies that harness the body’s natural healing processes. These natural processes can help to trigger antioxidants and act in combatting toxicity.
Allergy Testing for Mold Toxicity in North Texas
If you are experiencing a sudden or growing reaction of the sniffles, mild rashes, or trouble concentrating, you may be experiencing the effects of mold toxicity. Because these symptoms can indicate many different health conditions, it is imperative that you see a doctor who specializes in lung conditions in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a lung specialist, contact our friendly team today by calling us at (817) 594-9993 or by filling out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you get to the bottom of what you are experiencing so you can breathe ea