Symptoms of Fungal Exposure (Mycotoxicosis) - T-2 mycotoxins found in many types of current indoor molds will poison anyone in time; no one is immune.

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Symptoms of Fungal Exposure (Mycotoxicosis)

Susan Lillard-Roberts

Mold toxicity is often the end result with constant exposure to mold
of a toxic substance.  A common misconception among allergists who are
untrained in this type of toxicity levels in humans, which is
technically not their area of expertise unless they have trained
specifically in environmental medicine with their  background in
immunology, is to do general allergen testing.  Most tests usually
result in an unequivocal result, a 2+ or less.  This induces some
physicians to order allergy shots, regardless.  These shots are
absolutely worthless (and could possibly be harmful) to a person who
has been heavily exposed to these mycotoxins as they are already in a
state of toxicity.  If anything, this could exacerbate the problem. 
Because many doctors are not trained in this field, they may try to
"guess" at a diagnosis.

In laymen's terms, molds produce mycotoxins.  These substances,
although unseen by the naked eye, are ingested and then enter the body
through the skin, mucous and airways.  Once ingested, mold has the
requirements to colonize and spread.  In doing this, it can compromise
the immune system and damage everyday processes of the body.  Mold and
yeast are interchangeable only in their dimorphic state, which is
often a big misconception, although both are fungi. There has been a
theory of a connection between Autism Spectrum Disorder onset and
Candida Albicans in the body.  New studies are being conducted during
the first quarter of 2006.  Updates will follow.

Fungi, which include yeasts, moulds, smuts and mushrooms, are
responsible for causing four types of mycotic (fungal) disease:

1. Hypersensitivity - an allergic reaction to moulds and spores;

2. Mycotoxicosis - poisoning by food products contaminated by fungi

3. Mycetismus - the ingestion of preformed toxin (toadstool poisoning)

4. Infection (systemic) - (Mycotoxicosis; the subject below)

The following are a list of the most common symptoms of fungal
exposure (bear in mind, people never fit all of below criteria). Most
people with some forms of Mycotoxicosis meet at least 8 (recent
symptoms) of the following criteria:

Fibromyalgia/mps (and several correlated symptoms)
Respiratory distress, coughing, sneezing, sinusitis
Difficulty swallowing, choking, spitting up (vomiting) mucous
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Burning in the throat and lungs (similar to acid reflux and often
misdiagnosed as such)
Asthmatic signs; wheezing, shortness in breath, coughing, burning in
lungs, etc.
Irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, diarrhea, sharp abdominal pains,
stomach lesions
Bladder, liver, spleen, or kidney pain
Dark or painful urine
Dirt-like taste in mouth, coated tongue
Food allergies/leaky gut syndrome/altered immunity
Memory loss; brain fog, slurred speech, occasionally leading to
dementia
Vision problems
Swollen lymph nodes
Large boils on neck (often a sign of anaphylaxis)
Yellowing of nails, ridges, or white marks under nail
Thyroid irregularities, sometimes leading to complete dysfunction;
adrenal problems
Headaches
Anxiety/depression, heart palpitations - confusion, PTSD
Extreme blood pressure, cholesterol, or triglycerides irregularities
Ringing in ears, balance problems (very common), dizziness, loss of
hearing (aspergillus niger)
Chronic fatigue (also included under this classification directional
confusion)
Intermittent face flushing; almost always systemic, Called the Mylar
Flush (neurological))
Night head sweats, and drooling while sleeping, profuse sweating
Multiple chemical sensitivity; only upon exposure to Stachybotrys and
Chaetomium
Nose bleeds (stachybotrys)
Bruising/scarring easily; rash or hives, bloody lesions all over the
skin (Often systemic, see images; skin)
Reproductive system complications; infertility, changes in menstrual
cycles, miscarriage
Sudden weight changes (Detoxifier genotypes tend to gain weight, non-
detoxifier genotypes tend to lose weight)
Cancer
Hair loss, very brittle nails, temporary loss of fingerprints (in rare
cases)
Joint/muscle stiffness and pain
Irregular heart beat/heart attack
Seizures, inadvertent body jerking, twitching, inadvertent facial
movements or numbness in face
Hypersensitivity when re-exposed to molds, which can lead to
anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis upon re-exposure to mycotoxin producing molds
Death, in extreme cases
Note: despite inaccurate and misleading reports by theorists regarding
immuno-compromised, babies, and the elderly being more susceptible,
this is a big misconception as exposure to the T-2 mycotoxins found in
many types of current indoor molds will poison anyone in time; no one
is immune.  The reason for this conflicting information is that
studies have never been conducted to prove this.  If so called experts
are going to make such a broad and misleading statement, they may as
well say that this same category of people is more susceptible to
SARS, West Nile Virus, AIDS, and cancer. The T-2 mycotoxins found in
many of these molds are the exact same T-2 mycotoxins that have killed
widespread groups of innocent people with Yellow Rain, a biological
warfare agent.

Different mold species can have varying health effects, but it is
important to remember that any excessive mold growth needs to be taken
care of, regardless of the species. Any excessive mold growth can lead
to increased allergies, toxicity, and house/building structural
problems.

Aspergillus spp

Aspergillus is the most common genus of fungi in our environment with
more than 160 different species of mold. Sixteen of these species have
been documented as causing human disease. Aspergillosis is now the 2nd
most common fungal infection requiring hospitalization in the United
States. Exposure to aspergillus can often cause skin rashes and hair
loss.  Many people seek relief by taking 5,000 mcg. of biotin per day
with 3,500 mgs. of MSM.  Beware, many vitamins and supplements are
made with the aspergillus fermentation process or other types of fungi
that the vitamin manufacturers fail to reveal.  For a healthy source
of vitamins with no fungi, please view www.mold-help.biz; the world's
first nutricutical website for providing relief from fungal exposure. 
The site is in its initial stages at the moment, but by February 1, it
will be an entire source for healthier eating and nutritional
supplements related to fungal disease. Please register on the site if
you would like an update when the Mold-Help Solutions Source is ready
to assist.

Aspergillus fumigatus. The most encountered species causing infection.
It is seen abundantly in decomposing organic material, such as self-
heating compost piles, since it readily grows at temperatures up to 55
C. People who handle contaminated material often develop
hypersensitivity to the spores of Aspergillus and may suffer severe
allergic reactions upon exposure.

Aspergillus flavus. The 2nd most encountered fungi in cases of
Aspergillus infection. It is also known to produce the mycotoxin
aflatoxin, one of the most potent carcinogens known to man. In the
1960s, 100,000 turkey poults in Great Britain died from ingesting
contaminated feed. Most countries have established levels for
aflatoxin in food. However, the risks associated with airborne
exposure are not adequately studied and no exposure standards exist.

Aspergillus niger. The 3rd most common Aspergillus fungi associated
with disease and the most common of any Aspergillus species in nature
due to it’s ability to grow on a wide variety of substrates. This
species may cause a “fungal ball”, which is a condition where the
fungus actively proliferates in the human lung, forming a ball. It
does so without invading the lung tissue. It has also been linked to
hearing problems including tinnitus and hearing loss.

Aspergillus Versicolor. The most common species of Aspergillus. Among
skin problems and hair loss, this fungus has been linked to severe
abdominal pain, acid reflux, and vomiting.

Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) and Chaetomium globosum

This group of molds can thrive on water damaged, cellulose-rich
material in buildings such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles,
insulation backing, wallpaper, etc. In the majority of cases where
Stachybotrys is found indoors, water damage has gone unnoticed or
ignored since it requires extended periods of time with increased
levels of moisture for growth to occur. Stachybotrys is usually black
and slimy in appearance. Events of water intrusion that are addressed
quickly tends to support the growth of more xerophilic fungi such as
Penicillium and Aspergillus.

Stachybotrys is another fungi that has the ability to produce
mycotoxins, ones that are extremely toxic, suspected carcinogens, and
immunosuppressive. Exposure to these mycotoxins can result through
inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure. Symptoms of exposure
include dermatitis, memory loss, balance issues, acid reflux, cough,
rhinitis, nose bleeds, cold and flu-like symptoms, headache, bleeding
lungs, general malaise, internal lesions, seizures, and fever. Long
term exposure has shown that Stachybotrys and Chaetomium can destroy
the myelin sheath, leading to autoimmune disease.  These are the only
two fungi that can also be linked MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity).
There is much confusion about Chaetomium, as it can be worse than
Stachybotrys since it is so difficult to eradicate. Our mycologist
tells us that it is like cast iron while Stachybotrys is easier.

Cladosporium spp.

These genera of mold are pigmented dark green to black in the front,
and black on the reverse with a velvety to powdery texture. One of the
most commonly isolated from indoor and outdoor air, Cladosporium spp.
are found on decaying plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint,
textiles, and the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of
supply ducts.

There are over 30 species in the Cladosporium genus. The most common
are C. elatum, C. herbarum, C. sphaerospermum, and C. cladosporioides.
These fungi are the causative agents of skin lesions, keratitis, nail
fungus, sinusitis, asthma, and pulmonary infections. Acute symptoms of
exposure to Cladosporium are edema and bronchiospasms, and chronic
exposure may lead to pulmonary emphysema. More commonly, it is a more
causative factor for intrinsic asthma.

Fusarium spp.

A common soil fungus and inhabitant on a wide array of plants, this
fungi is often found in humidifiers and has been isolated from water-
damaged carpets and a variety of other building materials. Human
exposure may occur through ingestion of contaminated grains and
possibly through the inhalation of spores. Fusarium spp. are
frequently involved with eye, skin, and nail infections. More severely
it can produce hemorrhagic syndrome (alimentary toxic aleukia) in
humans which is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding.

Several species can produce the trichothecene toxins which target the
circulatory, alimentary, skin, and nervous systems. Vomitoxin is one
such tricothecene mycotoxin that has been associated with outbreaks of
acute gastrointestinal illness in humans. Zearalenone is another
mycotoxin produced by Fusarium. It is similar in structure to the
female sex hormone estrogen and targets the reproductive organs.

Penicillium spp.

These fungi are commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, grains,
paint, carpet, wallpaper, interior fiberglass duct insulation, and
decaying vegetation. Penicillium may cause hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, asthma, and allergic alveolitis in susceptible
individuals.

The genus Penicillium has several species. The most common ones
include Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium
janthinellum, Penicillium marneffei, and Penicillium purpurogenum.

This fungi has been isolated from patients with keratitis, ear
infections, pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, and urinary tract
infections. Penicillium infections are most commonly exhibited in
immunosuppressed individuals. For example, P. marneffei is a fungus
abundant in Southeast Asia that typically infects patients with AIDS
in this area. Infection with P.marneffei is acquired via inhalation
and initially results in a pulmonary infection and then spreads to
other areas of the body (lymphatic system, liver, spleen, and bones),
and is often fatal. An indication of infection is the appearance of
papules that resemble acne on the face, trunk, and extremities.

Penicillim spp. do have the ability to produce mycotoxins. The
mycotoxin known as Ochratoxin A, which is nephrotoxic and
carcinogenic, may be produced by Penicillium verrucosum. Verrucosidin
is another mycotoxin produced by this fungus that exhibits
neurotoxity. Penicillic acid is another mycotoxin that is nephrotoxic
(causes kidney and liver damage).


Permanent problems sometimes associated with fungal exposure after
treatment:

Balance
Short term memory
Hearing
Sight
See Associated Illnesses after Fungal Exposure

Note:  Many of these symptoms could also be the onset of other
illnesses, as well, and only a skilled physician is diagnosed to give
you a full and  qualified diagnosis.  Additionally, it is important to
know that much of these symptoms will deplete after vacating the
building.  Diet, nutrition, and medical assistance are extremely
important.

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