If you suspect or struggle with mold illness or CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome), you need to know these 5 myths about mold that could derail your recovery. Many myths have been passed down through the years, and unfortunately, keep too many people from getting well or even diagnosed. Pass along these truths instead so people will stop saying it’s all in the head and start getting well!
Myth #1 – Mold is everywhere and it is harmless – it’s been here from the beginning of time.
“He must burn the fabric, the woven or knitted material of wool or linen, or any leather article that has been spoiled; because the defiling mold is persistent, the article must be burned.” Leviticus 13:52
Molds have undeniably been around forever. But as you can see from scripture, it has also been causing health problems for a very long time.
There are theories that fungi have mutated and spread because of:
- the widespread use of antifungal chemicals and other environmental toxins on crops, in paints, and in building materials.
- the current way we construct buildings allows in the toxic mold, feeds it, and spreads it
- our buildings are not water tight and the interior conditions allow the fungi to thrive.
Myth #2 – Black mold (Stachybotrys) is the most dangerous mold.
It is true that Stachybotrys chartarum, (STACK-E-BO-TRIS) is usually black when it uses matter such as drywall as a food source. But Stachybotrys chartarum is not always black. It can be white, brown, green, red, or even yellow.
Another mold called Chaetomium globosum (KEY-TOE-ME-UM) breeds in watery areas and can range in color similar to Stachybotrys.
Still, other toxic molds range in color from white, brown, green, and red to yellow.
Then molds such as Wallemia sebi and a couple of species of Aspergillus can get into the air and grow in reasonably dry surroundings.
Myth #3 – There is no mold if you can’t see it.
By the time you can see mold with the naked eye, it has already grown to a colony of millions of cells. And by that time, it has already metastasized into the air to create colonies in other places you may or may not see.
It can hide in large quantities, such as dust, carpet, wall cavities, ceiling cavities, HVAC/air conditioning systems, subfloors, or basements.
Unfortunately, mold can create health problems long before you ever see it.
Myth #4 – The only problem is the mold or their mycotoxins.
In addition to mold and mold mycotoxins (the toxic chemical substances that certain types of molds produce), other organisms live and thrive in water-damaged buildings. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can spark the multisystem, multi-symptom illness known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) or mold illness.
Also, mycotoxins are just one of the toxins produced by these microorganisms. Others include endotoxins and exotoxins, microbial VOCs (mVOCs), beta-glucans, mannans, fungal fragments, building VOCs, nanoparticles, and more.
Myth #5 – To get rid of mold, you must kill it.
Dead mold is worse than living mold because it breaks down into pieces that are easily diffused into the air. When inhaled, both the pieces and the toxins attached to them can be a major source of inflammation. Also, mold will reproduce more when being threatened or killed (think of it like a villain defending itself).
Use microfibre cloths, mild soap, and elbow grease to clean small areas of mold. Then dry well. Especially avoid the use of bleach, which merely strips the color from the mold while adding moisture and inviting growth! Also, use a HEPA vacuum for all surfaces and HEPA air scrubbers to clean your air. But if you are already sick, you should not do the cleaning yourself as it could make you worse.
If you need to, use a reputable remediator who does not primarily use fogging, gassing, or other mold-killing strategies, including essential oils. Read more on this here.
In conclusion, yes, mold is everywhere. But it is undeniably harmful to many. There are many toxic molds and even the ones you can’t see can hurt you. Mold is a survivor – it will fight back if you try to kill it. And with molds and their mycotoxins often come other organisms and their mycotoxins, adding to your toxin load.
Know that mold illness is real and not in your head – though it can greatly affect your brain and emotional health. It can produce a myriad of symptoms and shows up differently for each person. If you suspect mold illness or want help navigating your journey to wellness, click on the link to schedule a complimentary consultation with me today!
