Remedies for Fatigue Caused by Mold

Hormodendrum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Phoma and Penicillium notatum are types of mold that can affect your health, especially if you are asthmatic and allergic to molds. Exposure to mold can cause a number of symptoms, including itchiness, a rash, runny nose, eye irritation, coughing, congestion, flu-like symptoms, respiratory complications, vertigo, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, vomiting, liver conditions and fatigue. If handled properly and exposure to mold has ceased, most flu-like symptoms and fatigue will subside.

Growth

• Mold growth occurs in places where there is a high humidity and plenty of warmth. Molds are most prevalent in the summer, but they can cause health problems any time of the year. Mold can grow inside your home, basement or cellar, garages, barns, bathrooms and other areas. Mold growth is most common where water leaks are present; if you have recently had water damage or plumbing leaks, mold can become an issue quickly. Mold allergies occur when mold produces and releases mycotoxins in the air. Mycotoxins are a defense against bacteria and molds. When you are exposed to mycotoxins and you breathe them in, they can cause headaches, allergic reactions, nausea and fatigue as well as respiratory issues.

Tests

• Visit your regular physician or allergist to determine if you are allergic to molds. Conduct blood tests to look for mold antibodies in your blood. A positive test proves that you have been exposed to mold, but it does not tell you where the mold is located or when you came in contact with the mold that is causing your problems. An allergist can perform skin tests on you to determine if you are actually allergic to specific types of mold. A radioallergosorbent blood test might be necessary to show what antibodies are in your blood that are related to specific allergens; the test results take 14 days to receive.

  Identify mold in your home by simple observation; sometimes mold is visible in damp areas and may appear as a greenish black material on the walls and/or floor. Other times, mold may be invisible, but you may be able to smell it. Get a test kit to use in the home to determine if mold is present. If mold is visible, you can clean it up if the area is small enough. Larger amounts of mold and hidden mold may require that you hire a professional for its detection and removal.

Managing Humidity Levels

• Reduce mold symptoms by eliminating as much mold as possible, and control the humidity levels of your home. Invest in a digital humidity gauge to monitor humidity levels. Mount the gauge to a wall and track humidity levels accordingly. Keep the gauge indicator at no higher than 50 percent humidity; higher humidity levels allow mold to grow and thrive. Use a dehumidifier to control the humidity in the home or an air conditioner to keep humidity levels below 50 percent. Spray the air filter of your air conditioner with an anti-mold spray to kill off any live mold in the air. Put a dehumidifier in each room where water is most prevalent: You can put a dehumidifier in your bathroom and your basement to keep humidity levels under control.

Repair Leaks

• Leaking pipes, faucets that drip, a leaky basement and roof leaks are prone to mold that can later cause symptoms like fatigue. If you cannot repair these problems, hire a plumber, roofer or contractor to repair them for you. Keeping water accumulations to a minimum will diminish your issues with mold growth.

Cleaning

• Mold, once airborne, can land anywhere in your home. When cleaning countertops, tabletops, refrigerators, appliances and other household items, mix one part bleach with one part warm water to wipe objects down and to kill off any mold spores that might be present. Do not use bleach on items that may color fade. Wear gloves when you are cleaning with bleach and water to avoid skin irritation. Invest in a product like Lysol disinfectant spray to kill off germs and molds; spray the disinfectant on countertops, tabletops and anywhere you believe mold spores might be. If you are an asthmatic, take care when using an aerosol and wear a mask while spraying the aerosol to avoid lung irritation.

Antihistamine

• Using a non-drowsy formula antihistamine can help reduce allergic symptoms and fatigue associated with mold exposure. Histamine is a chemical produced by your immune system when you are exposed to allergens; it can cause inflammatory responses and it can affect your brain chemistry which, in turn, alters your mood and sense of well-being. Invest in an over-the-counter medication like Claritin, which can help manage your sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and the fatigue associated with an allergic response. Consume one tablet of antihistamine daily for allergy relief.