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. Here are a few of the most common:
If you're curious, you can read below how different spore types and the mycotoxins they produce could impact your health. We've also compiled some great podcasts and articles on mold here if you want to learn more.
“Not all mold is toxic. Some is allergenic and some are pathogenic, some non-toxic”
- Bridgit Danner, LAC, FDNP
These are the known toxic mold strains. Please call us or consult with an expert to determine the acceptable "mold load" in your home.
Common indoor and outdoor mold. Can cause respiratory in high counts 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. The color is acutally more green than black.
This mold is unhealthy at almost any level.
Typically affects plants but can sometimes cause respiratory and sinus infections in humans, especially in immunocompromised people.
Associated with food spoilage. Produces trichothecene and zearalenone toxins that can sometimes cause digestive and hormonal issues.
Found in water-damaged buildings. Can produce mycotoxins causing respiratory issues and skin infections.
This mold is unhealthy at almost any level.
Used in agriculture but for immunocompromised individuals it can cause an immuno response. 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 sometimes 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 hazardous to your health as well.
A high load of mold spores alone can make you sick but oftentimes it is the mycotoxins from mold that is truly toxic. Mycotoxins are the buy products of the lifecycle of mold (think of it like a mold burp). Here are the most common Mycotoxins that may be making you sick.
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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