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Mold Related Illness: Index of Symptoms Enter your search terms Submit search form   Search This Website - InspectAPedia.com List of mold related illnesses, symptoms & complaints associated with exposure to mold in buildings Health complaints in moldy homes Health complaints by people sending mold samples to our laboratory

This Mold Related Illness Guide provides an Index of Symptoms of Illnesses caused, or aggravated by indoor mold exposure. Also see Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens on indoor building surfaces and for an atlas of building molds and for more microphotographs of building mold samples observed in our laboratory, see Mold Atlas of Indoor Clinical Mold, Pathogens, Allergens & Other Indoor Particles. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

Broad classes of reactions to allergenic, pathogenic, or toxic mold, allergens, and other indoor gases or particles

• Allergic Reactions - rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, skin problems, other
• Pathogenic - Produce Infections
• Mold Smell Illnesses - headaches, vomiting, nausea, blocked noses, and asthmatic [MVOC's--DF]
• Toxic Illnesses - produced by mycotoxins:
• Respiratory Illnesses -
• Digestive Tract Illnesses - liver diseases: fibrosis and necrosis; vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding
• Reproductive Illnesses - infertility, variations in reproductive and hormonal cycle
• Highly Serious Illnesses - Cancer, Tuberculosi, Lupus, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Chronic Fatigue Disorder (CFS), Fibromyalgi, Epstein-Barr

This list of mold related illness symptoms and complaints is arranged alphabetically and begins just below. This list is a combination specific, diagnosed medical illnesses and other anecdotally reported complaints associated with mold in buildings. Research to establish a firm chain of causation between mold and other indoor particles (or other substances) and these complaints in many cases has not been completed. I capitalize names of known medical conditions. While the following list may be of assistance to some readers researching this topic, it should by no means be considered as scientifically authoritative nor complete. Some complaints are listed here without any solid medical evidence regarding causation, if the complaints have been expressed to us by people investigating mold-related illness or building mold contamination. Such data should be considered for research purposes and not medically authoritative. Contact us for content suggestions or link exchange requests. Also see the Online Mold Atlas of Indoor Clinical Mold, Pathogens, Allergens. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

Alphabetic List of Mold Related Illnesses and Health Complaints, both Medical and Anecdotal - alphabetical

We are interested in adding to this list as well as providing succinct symptom lists associated with medically-diagnosed mold related illnesses. Suggestions and criticism are invited.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - QR - S - T - U - V - WXYZ

A

 abdominal pain
 abnormal pap smears
 acid reflux
 acne
 allergy symptoms (wide variety of)
   mild to severe and from transitory to chronic - Ref: Middleton and assoc.
 Allergic bronchiopulmonary Aspergillosis - worsening of underlying asthma or cystic fibrosis,
   coughing up blood, weight loss - uncommon
 Allergic Rhinitis and asthma are associated with responses mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE)
 altered immunity
 anaphylaxis
 apnea, sleep
 Aspergilloma (fungal growth in lung), cough, coughing up blood, weight loss. Uncommon.
 asthma and asthmatic signs
 asthma, adult onset
 asthma, sudden onset, any age
 asthma, increased symptoms or renewal of previously diminished symptoms
 Asthma due to fungal allergens: chest tightness, wheezing, cough, dyspnea. Worsens w/ exposure.
    Cx typically occur within 1 hr of exposure

B

 balance, loss of
 bladder and kidney pain
 bleeding lungs
 blood pressure irregularities
 body aches and muscle pains
 boils on skin, especially neck, especially following disturbance of moldy materials (S. chartarum)
   (photos on file)
 breathing difficulties
 Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis / allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: inflammatory disease
   caused by immunologic response Aspergillus sp.,
   usually A. fumigatus, growing in bronchi of asthmatics
   reported in immunocompromised patients and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
   and has been linked to building-related illness (BRI)
 bruising easily
 burning mouth
 burning eyes
 burning throat
 burning lungs
 

C

 cancer
 candida, systemic
   Chronic Candidiasis FAQ - see Dr. Fungus:
   http://www.doctorfungus.org/mycoses/human/candida/Chronic_Candidiasis.htm
 central nervous system disorders (CNS)
 chest pain associated with excessive coughing
 chills
 choking
 cholesterol or triglycerides unusual variations
 chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
 chronic sinus infections
 coated tongue
 coccidioidomycosis
 colds, recurrent
 constipation
 cough, dry hacking
 coughing up blood
 cryptococcosis
 

D

 dandruff resistant to usual treatments
 dark urine
 death in extreme cases
 depression
 Dermatitis: red, itchy skin, rashes
 diarrhea
 difficulty concentrating
 difficulty in swallowing
 dirt-like taste in mouth
 disorientation
 dizziness

E

 endometriosis
 eye infections, (beware of undiagnosed fungal eye infections), loss of vision
 eye irritation
 

F

 face flushing intermittent
 facial movements, unexplained twitching
 farmers' lung disease
 fevers
 fibrous discharge from the nose, nasal fibers, mucosa - 
     (See Morgellon's syndrome or Morgellon's disease below)
 fibromyalgia - numerous websites and articles discuss possible 
     connections between mold exposure and
   Fibromyalgia - including these:
   http://www.mold-survivor.com/fibromyalgia.html
   http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/SigmaXi/docs/PosterSummaries2003/zagory-
    jessica.pdf#search=%22Fibromyalgia%20mold%20%22 - Swarthmore study
   http://www.personalconsult.com/cgi-bin/htsearch - free clinical search
   I have also corresponded with people who report suffering from Fibromyalgia and significant mold
   exposures, though the identification of genera/species and level of exposure were lacking.
 flu-like symptoms: WARNING: flu-like symptoms can be a sign of potentially
    fatal carbon monoxide poisoning! Immediate help may be required.
 food allergies
 frequent bloody noses
 frequent infections
 fungal infections, systemic such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis,
    responding to contaminated bird droppings or construction dusts
G
 Glucan sensitivity:
    Glucans are glucose polymers that are components of most fungal cell walls, and exposure
    to airborne 13-beta-D-glucan has been known to cause irritation symptoms due to airway
    inflammation (7). However, these irritant effects are transient and self-limiting
    

H

 hair loss
 headaches
 heart attack
 Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis - (Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis) - tightness of chest,
   difficulty breathing,
   cough, fever, muscle aches, reactions occur 6-8 hrs after exposure. - Uncommon.
 hemorrhagic  pneumonitis
 Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis - (Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis) -
 heartburn
 histoplasmosis
 hives
 hypersensitivity to airborne allergens or house dust
 hypersensitivity to mold
 hypersensitivity pneumonitis, associated with T-cell responses and responses mediated by
   immunoglobulin G (IgG)
   hypersensitivity pneumonitis is characterized by recurrent symptoms of
   fever, cough, and chest tightness
   and the presence of pulmonary infiltrates on a chest radiograph.
   Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis features progressive dyspnea,
   fatigue, interstitial pneumonitis, and
   pulmonary fibrosis (Farmer's lung)

I

 immune system deterioration, decreased resistance
 indigestion
 infertility
 invasive pulmonary aspergillosis - pneumonia, fever, bone pain, chills - occurs
   in immunocompromised patients - uncommon
 irritation: aggravated existing allergic rhinitis or asthma
 irritability
 irritable bowel syndrome
 itching skin, eye, nose, mouth

J

 judgment, loss of ability to think clearly and make decisions

K

 kidney pain and failure
L
 learning difficulties
 leaky gut syndrome
 liver pain
 long lasting flu-like symptoms

M

 memory loss
 menopause, unanticipated onset
 metallic taste in mouth
 migraine headaches
 mood swings, sudden
 Morgellon's syndrome or Morgellon's disease: symptoms including
  fibers in nasal secretions
  fibers in skin and scalp particles or scrapings
  skin lesions
  mucous accumulation on back of the throat
 multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
 mycosis
  Aspergillosis
  Blastomycosis
  Candidiasis
  Coccidioidomycosis
  Cryptococcosis
  Histoplasmosis
  Paracoccidiomycosis
  Sporotrichosis
  Zygomycosis
 mycotoxicosis - Mycotoxins, which typically are cytotoxic, disrupt cell membranes
   and interfere with the synthesis of protein, RNA, and DNA
   The only well-documented human mycotoxicoses have been the result
   of ingestion rather than inhalation

N

 nasal discharge, green slime, fungus, mucous, other (See Morgellon's syndrome or Morgellon's disease above)
 neck boils or round rash spots (see online photos)
 night sweats and hot flashes
 nose irritation
 nosebleeds
 numbness in face and limb

O

 odors, increased sensitivity to
   Pungent odors may initiate avoidance reactions, a generalized feeling of
   discomfort, breath holding, and a burning sensation on the skin
 open skin sores and lacerations
 open sores on head
 organic dust toxic syndrome

P

 peripheral nervous system effects
 personality changes
 pets, sudden odd behavior, aggressiveness, disorientation, running in circles,
  stumbling, falling, respiratory disorder, sudden death,
  pulmonary hemorraging [area of ongoing research by DJF - web author]
  See: circling disease in sheep.
 pets, Cryptococcosis of Cats
 poor appetite
 puffy or droopy eyes
 Pulmonary hemorrhaging:
   Stachybotrys chartarum (S. atra) is a large sticky spore not easily made airborne.
   Stachybotrys mycotoxin was thought to cause acute pulmonary hemorrhage and death
   in infants, but the CDC has stated that the association has not been proved).
   About 10 ng of mycotoxins are produced for every 1 million mold spores [Probably
   widely variable from zero to high numbers based on environmental variables as well
   as species variation--DF].
   Assuming the exposure is cumulative, inhalation of 109 spores per hour would be
   required for toxic effects. [This is a very low level and easily obtained in
   circumstances where occupants are exposed to moldy building materials during
   demolition or cleaning.-- DJF]
   Therefore,[in the opinion of some experts--DF] it is unlikely that inhalation
   of fungal parts presumed to contain mycotoxins could produce significant human
   illness--particularly in a nonagricultural setting.

QR

 rashes
 redness of eyes
 respiratory distress
 rhinitis
 ringing in ears
 runny nose

S

 seizures
 smells, increased sensitivity to
 spleen pain
 shortness of breath
 sinus congestion
 sinusitis, cronic
 skin rashes or irritation
 skin redness
 sleep disorders
 slurred speech or verbal dysfunction (trouble in speaking)
 sneezing fits
 spitting up or vomiting mucous
 swollen glands
 swollen lymph nodes
 syndromes, mold-related
  Chromoblastomycosis
  Eye Infections
  Lobomycosis
  Mycetoma
  Nail, Hair, and Skin disease
    Onychomycosis (Tinea unguium)
    Piedra
    Pityriasis versicolor
    Tinea barbae
    Tinea capitis
    Tinea corporis
    Tinea cruris
    Tinea favosa
    Tinea nigra
    Tinea pedis
  Otomycosis
  Phaeohyphomycosis
  Rhinosporidiosis
 systemic candida infection

T

 throat irritation
 tightness in the chest
 tinea: most common fungal disease is this superficial mycosis, not linked to
   IAQ/building-related illness
 tremors (shaking)

U

 unexplained fevers
 upper respiratory symptoms (eg, nasal congestion, sinus headache, episodic dyspnea)
 urinary tract infection (UTI)

V

 vaginal yeast infections
 vertigo or dizziness
 VOC sensitivity:
   volatile organic chemicals may reach levels sufficient to produce central
   nervous system symptoms such as headache, inability to concentrate, or dizziness
 vomiting (nausea)

WXYZ

 weakness, loss of strength
 wheezing breath
 women's health problems, nonspecific
 yeast infections, vaginal, (other?) symptoms:
   Vaginal. Recurrent episodes of Candida vaginitis associated with the classic
   symptoms of pruritus, burning and abnormal discharge.
   Gastrointestinal. Heartburn, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
   Respiratory allergy. Rhinitis, sneezing and/or wheezing.
   Central nervous system. Anxiety, depression, memory deficits and/or loss of ability to
   concentrate.
   Menstrual abnormalities. Severe premenstrual tension and/or menstrual irregularities.
   Other Systemic Symptoms. Fatigue, headache and/or irritability.

sources:
http://www.inspect-ny.com/sickhouse.htm - DJ Friedman's anecdotal reports of client's
   self-reported complaints
http://www.doctorfungus.org/ online mycology reference
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/06_03/fung.htm Postgraduate medicine online
http://www.moldinspector.com/ (informative site, sells books about mold)
http://www.cleanwaterpartners.org/mold/related-illnesses.html (Environmental Law Firm site)
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/HESIS/molds.pdf California DHS "Molds in Indoor Workplaces"

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More expert information on this topic

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Illness, Mold Related: Can Mold Make You Sick? Mold may be toxic, pathogenic, allergenic, or simply cosmetic. But pinning down exposure and illness causation is tricky.
• Online Clinical Atlas Indoor Mold, Toxins, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
• Most Common Indoor Molds Found in Buildings, A Table of
• Classes of Mold: what types of cosmetic, allergenic, or toxic mold are a problem? Can mold be cleaned-up successfully?
• Mold Action Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions, What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens

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