What to Do if Mold is Making You Sick

Your Complete Guide to Mold Exposure & Recovery

If you’ve been exposed to mold and are experiencing unexplained fatigue, headaches, respiratory issues, or brain fog, you may be dealing with mold toxicity.

Mold exposure can trigger Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and a host of other serious health concerns. This guide will walk you through identifying mold exposure, testing for mold toxicity, effective mold remediation, and dietary changes to support detoxification.

Top Symptoms of Mold Toxicity

Do you experience five or more of these symptoms? If so, mold exposure may be affecting your health.

✔️ Fatigue & Weakness
✔️ Headaches & Light Sensitivity
✔️ Brain Fog, Poor Memory & Difficulty Concentrating
✔️ Morning Stiffness & Joint Pain
✔️ Tingling, Numbness & Unusual Skin Sensations
✔️ Shortness of Breath, Sinus Congestion & Chronic Cough
✔️ Appetite Swings & Body Temperature Dysregulation
✔️ Increased Thirst & Frequent Urination
✔️ Mood Swings, Anxiety & Depression
✔️ Digestive Issues: Abdominal Pain, Bloating & Diarrhea
✔️ Dizziness, Vertigo & Feeling Lightheaded

If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to take action.

Step 1: Identifying Mold Exposure & Testing

1. Check Your Home & Office for Mold

Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, 50% of homes are estimated to have mold growth. Even if mold isn’t visible, it can hide behind walls, in air ducts, or under flooring.

What to do:
🔹 Schedule an ERMI Mold Test – Hire a mold inspector to assess your home.
🔹 Locate the Source – Identify water damage, leaks, or hidden mold growth.
🔹 Properly Remediate – Work with a certified mold removal specialist.
🔹 Temporarily Leave the Environment – If the mold is severe, staying in a contaminated space will hinder your recovery.

💡 Pro Tip: If remediation isn’t possible, it may be necessary to relocate, leaving porous items behind to avoid cross-contamination.

2. Get Tested for Mold Exposure

There is no single test to diagnose mold toxicity. A combination of medical history, symptom analysis, and specialized lab tests is needed.

Recommended Tests for Mold Illness:

✔️ Visual Contrast Sensitivity Test – Assesses neurological impact.
✔️ CIRS Panel – Identifies inflammation markers linked to mold exposure.
✔️ Mycotoxin Testing – Great Plains MycoTox, RTL Mycotoxin, or Vibrant Mycotoxin tests detect mold toxins in the body.
✔️ HLA-DR Genetic Testing – Determines genetic susceptibility to mold illness.
✔️ Mycometrics ERMI – Evaluates mold contamination in your home.

💡 Find a Functional Medicine Doctor experienced in mold illness to interpret results and develop a detox plan.

Step 2: Clean Up Your Air & Environment

Even after remediation, airborne toxins and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can remain. Investing in clean air solutions is critical.

How to Improve Air Quality:

🌬 Use a High-Quality HEPA Air Purifier – Filters mold spores and toxins. (Recommended: Austin Air Purifiers – Filters particles as small as 0.3 microns.)
💧 Control Humidity – Keep indoor humidity below 50% using a dehumidifier.
🧹 Deep Clean Soft Surfaces – Wash bedding, curtains, and rugs regularly.
🌀 Maintain HVAC & Air Ducts – Mold thrives in ventilation systems. Change air filters often.

Step 3: Support Detoxification & Healing

Mold toxins accumulate in the liver, kidneys, gut, and brain, causing inflammation and systemic dysfunction. Following a structured detox protocol will help your body eliminate toxins safely.

1. Follow a Low-Mold Diet

A mold-conscious diet reduces inflammation, prevents further exposure, and supports detox pathways.

Foods to AVOID:

🚫 Sugar – Fuels yeast and fungal overgrowth.
🚫 Processed Foods – Canned, boxed, or packaged foods may contain hidden mold.
🚫 Mold-Containing Foods:

Cheese & Dairy Products (Especially aged cheeses)
Alcohol & Vinegar-Based Condiments (Beer, wine, soy sauce, pickles, mustard)
Dried Fruits & Nuts (Raisins, cashews, peanuts)
Fermented Foods & Mushrooms

Foods to FOCUS On:

✔️ Organic, Pasture-Raised Proteins – Grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, pastured eggs.
✔️ Low-Carb, Nutrient-Dense Vegetables – Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, asparagus.
✔️ Raw Nuts & Seeds – Chia, flax, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds.
✔️ Healthy Fats – Olive oil, avocado, coconut oil, ghee.
✔️ Filtered Water – Stay well-hydrated.

2. Use Detox Binders to Remove Mold Toxins

Binders help trap and eliminate mold toxins from your system.

✔️ Activated Charcoal – Absorbs mycotoxins in the gut. (Upgraded Coconut Charcoal recommended.)
✔️ Bentonite Clay – Helps remove toxins through the digestive system.
✔️ GI Detox – A blend of activated charcoal and clay for enhanced detoxification.

💡 Take binders on an empty stomach and away from medications/supplements.

3. Adopt Detoxifying Techniques

🌿 Infrared Sauna – Supports toxin elimination through sweat.
🌊 Epsom Salt Baths – Draws out toxins while replenishing magnesium.
💦 Hydration with Mineral Water – Aids kidney detoxification.
🌬 Dry Brushing – Stimulates lymphatic drainage.
💉 IV Therapy (Glutathione, NAD, Vitamin C) – Helps speed up toxin removal.

4. Reduce Chemical & EMF Exposure

🔹 Eliminate plastic use & toxic cleaning products.
🔹 Choose organic, non-toxic personal care products.
🔹 Filter drinking water to remove contaminants.
🔹 Limit EMF exposure from Wi-Fi and electronics.

Step 4: Mold Clean-Up & Remediation

If your home has mold contamination, remediation is necessary to prevent ongoing exposure.

Key Steps for Mold Remediation:
✔️ Fix water leaks & moisture issues immediately.
✔️ Remove water-damaged carpets & porous materials.
✔️ Use a true HEPA vacuum to clean surfaces & soft furnishings.
✔️ Use natural cleaners like borax instead of bleach (which doesn’t kill mold at its root).
✔️ Avoid cross-contamination – Store contaminated items in sealed plastic bags outside the home.

💡 Hire a Certified Mold Remediation Specialist for severe cases.

Take Control of Your Health with Functional Medicine

Mold illness is complex but treatable with the right approach. If you suspect mold toxicity, working with a Functional Medicine Physician who specializes in MOLD can help you: Dr. Lisa Ballehr is a MOLD literate functional medicine physician who has first hand knowlege of her own health issues due to MOLD toxicity. She has helped many patients overcome the long struggle and treat this comples illness.

🔹 Identify the root cause of symptoms.
🔹 Develop a detoxification and healing plan.
🔹 Guide mold remediation and prevention strategies.
👉 Schedule a Telemedicine Consultation with Dr. Lisa Ballehr Today.

📞 Your health is worth it—don’t wait to take action!