Your immune system is designed to respond to threats by destroying attackers. Typically different inflammation across your body is the defense to these attackers. Your eyes swell up, your throat gets sore and you get a fever as your body fights off an illness.
The problem with mold is that it can make your immune system think it is under attack all the time. This is where things go bad.
Your body is not used to being under attack all the time so things break down and literally any symptom in the book could be attributed to it.
For those curious, below we’ve listed the specific molds and mycotoxins that make us sick.
Note that “not all mold is toxic. Some is allergenic and some are pathogenic, some non-toxic” - Bridgit Danner, LAC, FDNP
There are many types of mold and mycotoxins produced by mold but the amount of types you have is way less important than the density and infiltration into your home.
These are the known toxic mold strains. Consult with a mold expert to determine the “mold load” of each that is acceptable.
Common indoor and outdoor mold. Can cause respiratory infections and produces mycotoxins like aflatoxins.
Known for antibiotic production (penicillin). Can cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
Found in soil and crops. Produces potent mycotoxins like fumonisins, which can cause health issues.
Primarily a plant pathogen but produces dangerous trichothecene mycotoxins.
Known as 'black mold'. Produces toxic satratoxins and can cause severe respiratory and neurological symptoms.
Affects plants but can cause respiratory and sinus infections in humans, especially in immunocompromised people.
Associated with food spoilage. Produces trichothecene and zearalenone toxins that can cause digestive and hormonal issues.
Found in water-damaged buildings. Can produce mycotoxins causing respiratory issues and skin infections.
Used in agriculture but can cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Produces mycotoxins.
Produces trichothecene mycotoxins, which can lead to respiratory and immune system issues.
Soil-associated mold. Some species produce antibiotics, while others can cause infections like meningitis.
Found in soil and plant debris. Can produce toxins harmful to agricultural crops and human health.
Used in food fermentation. Some species produce citrinin, a mycotoxin harmful to kidney function.
Found in agricultural settings. Produces mycotoxins that may contribute to food spoilage.
Closely related to Petromyces. Produces mycotoxins and is still under study for potential health risks.
Common in bread mold. Can cause mucormycosis, a serious infection affecting sinuses and lungs.
Grows in soil and moist environments. Can cause respiratory infections, especially in immunocompromised people.
A bacterium that behaves similarly to mold. Produces antibiotics but can cause skin infections like actinomycetoma.
Everyone has different reactions but the worst on this list are the “marker molds” Stachybotrys (aka black mold) and Chaetomium which most commonly come from past sewage backup or pets urinating or defecating inside. It is mold from human or animal waste and if your mold test comes back with even one spore, you should take immediate action to treat your home.
The most common in this list are Aspergillus and Penicillium and at certain levels they can be very toxic as well.
Mycotoxins are the toxic element of mold that can make you really sick. They are he buy products of the lifecycle of mold. But they aren’t the only thing that makes you sick.
These are the most common mycotoxins produced by toxic mold:
Mycotoxin
Produced by
Health Effects
Aspergillus species
Carcinogenic, primarily affecting the liver; found in contaminated crops.
Aspergillus and Penicillium species
Nephrotoxic, linked to kidney disease, immune suppression, and potential carcinogenic effects.
Aspergillus species
Carcinogenic, leading to liver damage; found in stored grains and certain cheeses.
Fusarium species
Estrogenic effects, causing reproductive issues; found in grains.
Stachybotrys and Fusarium species
Highly toxic, causing respiratory and neurological damage.
Stachybotrys species
Causes immune suppression, respiratory issues, and skin irritation.
Fusarium species
Can cause digestive and immune system issues; found in grains.
Fusarium species
Neural tube defects in humans, brain disease in horses; found in contaminated corn.
Chaetomium species
Cytotoxic, causing respiratory issues and skin irritation.
Penicillium and Monascus species
Nephrotoxic, affecting kidney function; found in rice and cheese.
Penicillium species
Immunosuppressant, toxic if ingested in contaminated food.
Aspergillus species
Immunosuppressive, toxic to lungs and causes oxidative stress.
Penicillium and Aspergillus species
Carcinogenic, causes gastrointestinal distress; found in apples.
Fusarium species
Immune suppression, gastrointestinal distress, reproductive issues.
Penicillium species
Nephrotoxic, affects kidney function similarly to citrinin.
Stachybotrys species
Potent toxin causing respiratory, skin, and neurological symptoms.
Fusarium species
Skin lesions, immune suppression, gastrointestinal distress, and neurological issues.
Fusarium species
Skin irritation, respiratory issues, immune suppression.
Stachybotrys species
Severe respiratory, skin, and neurological symptoms.
Fusarium, Stachybotrys, and other species
Inhibits protein synthesis, leading to immune suppression, skin, and respiratory issues.
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