The Connection Between Mold and Mental Health: Info From a Mold Prevention Expert in Portland, OR

Mold is a more serious issue than most households think. In fact, studies show that more than half of the homes in the United States have mold problems. What starts out in a damp bathroom as small black dot clusters can quickly grow into a toxic mold situation, especially when the mold is not removed.

Here’s a good question: Does the presence of mold create psychological problems or simply mimic the symptoms? The number of people at risk of toxic-based mold illness is nearly the same as those suffering from a mental health disorder—one in four people.

Let’s find out what a mold prevention expert in Portland, OR knows about the link between mold and mental health.

Mold Allergy and Mold Illness

First things first. What exactly is a mold allergy or illness? Around us are various mold spores that originated from thousands of different species of mold. Mold spores can thrive indoors and outdoors, typically forming in damp spaces, open public spaces, walls, on food and on plants.

The thing about most types of mold we encounter every day is that they are virtually undetectable. However, when people with a mold allergy come in contact with mold, they may show signs of physical and/or mental problems.

Mold Reaction Symptoms

If you suffer from a mold allergy, you may not have symptoms all the time, but you do want to be able to recognize your allergy triggers so you can find relief fast. The most common triggers are related to weather conditions such as wind, rain and storms, which can harbor more mold than usual and kick mold spores up into the air for long periods of time. The sufferer may experience coughing, wheezing, watery eyes and rashes, all of which are similar to the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

A mold allergy can also trigger anxiety, memory loss, insomnia, confusion and other surprising symptoms. Some preexisting conditions may make a mold allergy worse and some people will have no idea why they aren’t feeling well. There is no test for mold allergy, so doctors must rely on the individual’s medical history to rule out other allergies or ailments.

Mold and Depression are Connected

Studies have found that people living in high-mold environments tend to suffer from higher rates of depression. Researchers cannot confirm without a doubt that mold allergy is related to depression, but doctors should consider it a possibility when treating patients suffering from depression.

Mold Prevention and Allergy Treatment

To prevent mold allergy, you must first remove mold from your home and work environments. Then, take measures to avoid problems in the future. Tips from professionals includes controlling the indoor humidity, encouraging good air circulation and avoiding mold growth by cleaning up damp areas and spills right away. If mold is found to be the reason for your allergy symptoms, talk to your doctor about taking an allergy medication.

If you need to speak with a mold prevention expert in Portland, OR, don’t hesitate to reach out to Active Mold Control LLC. Call us today!

Categorised in: Mold Prevention

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