The symptoms of mycotoxin exposure
Symptoms often seem unrelated, but they can point toward a shared cause.
Commonly reported symptoms, grouped by body system
Energy & whole body6 symptoms
- Fatigue — usually made worse by physical exercise
- Recurrent flu-like illnesses, often with chronic sore throat
- Low-grade fevers or feeling hot often
- Night sweats
- Abnormal weight gain and/or loss
- Symptoms worsened by extremes in temperature
Brain & memory6 symptoms
- Memory disturbance
- Confused easily, or a change in ability to learn
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Frequently saying the wrong word
- Spatial disorientation
- Difficulty moving your tongue to speak
Mood & sleep6 symptoms
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Personality changes
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbance
- Frequent unusual nightmares
Nerves, balance & movement11 symptoms
- Headaches
- Numb or tingling feelings
- Lightheadedness — feeling “spaced out”
- Disequilibria (loss of balance)
- Tremors
- Twitching muscles
- Severe muscular weakness
- Blackouts
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Eyes & vision4 symptoms
- Changes in visual acuity
- Blurred vision or visual episodes
- Intolerance of bright lights
- Dry eyes
Ears, nose, mouth & throat7 symptoms
- Ringing in ears
- Nose bleeds
- Severe nasal and other allergies
- Hoarseness or vocal tone changes / irregularities
- Frequent canker sores
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Dry mouth
Skin, hair & nails7 symptoms
- Rashes
- Rash, herpes simplex, or shingles
- Sore(s) that will not heal
- Red “slapped cheek” look
- Bruises easily
- Hair loss
- Nail fungus
Heart & lungs6 symptoms
- Heart palpitations or other rhythm disturbances
- Chest pain
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Cold hands and feet
- Cough
- Easily getting out of breath
Gut & urinary3 symptoms
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, intestinal gas, or “irritable bowel syndrome”
- Uncomfortable urination
- Frequent urination
Muscles & joints3 symptoms
- Muscle and joint aches
- Decreased mobility
- Lower back pain
Immune system & sensitivities4 symptoms
- Painful lymph nodes
- Cancer
- Multiple sensitivities to medicine, food, and other substances
- Intolerance of alcohol
Hormones & reproduction4 symptoms
- Thyroid inflammation
- Decreased libido
- Impotence
- Endometriosis
These are symptoms people report. Published reviews find that damp indoor environments are associated with some of them, mainly respiratory ones5. This list is educational, not a diagnosis: many of these symptoms have other causes, and no single one points to mycotoxin exposure by itself.
Was I exposed to mycotoxins?
Mycotoxin exposure occurs in buildings with water-damage or high-humidity. The exposure is often hidden.
How common are damp buildings and mycotoxin exposure?
47% of homes.
85% of offices.
Most surveyed had a history of water damage, and 45% had leaks at the time.4
From the U.S. EPA’s Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation of 100 randomly selected office buildings.
Often hidden.
The fungi grow where nobody thinks to look.
The EPA has found them behind drywall, under carpet, and inside ductwork, usually after a leak nobody knew about. Your house can look spotless and still have them.3
Damp homes are common.1 The exposure usually hides.3 And the symptoms people report go well beyond the lungs.5 So why does no one check?
If you’ve been sick for years and told your labs are “normal,” this is the question no one ever asked. We measure your immune system’s reaction to mycotoxins, so you finally have a number instead of a guess.
Sources
- 1Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryPrevalence of Building Dampness (~47% U.S. average)
- 2WHOGuidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould (2009)
- 3U.S. EPAA Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- 4U.S. EPABuilding Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) study
- 5Institute of Medicine / National AcademiesDamp Indoor Spaces and Health (2004)
- 6Mudarri & FiskPublic health and economic impact of dampness and mold, Indoor Air (2007)