Could Mold Be the Reason You Feel This Way? (Pt 2 of Navigating Health & Healing While Living in a Toxic Home)

Wondering if mold is behind your chronic symptoms? In Part 2 of this Toxic Mold Series, learn where exposure happens, how to test your home & body, and initial steps to start detoxing your home.

Hiya, Friend —

Welcome to Part 2 of my Toxic Mold Series! If you missed Part 1, I shared the basics of toxic mold and what makes it such a hidden, (often-overlooked) root cause in chronic illness.

I also gave a peek into my own toxic mold story and how finally being able to identify mold exposure became a turning point in my healing journey — especially when everything else seemed to stall.

Go ahead and take a quick minute to check it out… I promise ya, I think it may just be worth it 😉

The Basics of Toxic Mold | Navigating Health & Healing While Living in a Toxic Home

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Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, let’s talk about where this exposure actually comes from… and how to know if it's affecting you!

Starting with Where Mold Exposure Happens —

When people hear "mold," they usually think of old bathrooms or musty basements — yet it goes so much further than that!

Mold thrives in any environment with moisture — meaning homes (yes, even new builds), schools, workplaces, cars, etc… basically anywhere there could be water-damage, which then can become a breeding ground for mycotoxins to take form!

And it doesn’t take a full-blown flood or visible mold growth to cause a problem on your health.

Even the slightest bit of mold can impact you greatly! A hidden leak, condensation behind a wall, or ann improperly ventilated space can be enough to allow mold to grow and mycotoxins (the toxic byproducts) to build up in your environment— and your body.

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So, what do you do if you think toxic mold is reaping havoc on your body?

The Best Way to Test Your Environment —

If you suspect mold in your home — or even just want peace of mind — I recommend the ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) test.

This (extremely non-invasive) test analyzes dust samples from your living environment to give you a detailed picture of the types and concentrations of mold spores present in your home. It’s the same test that gave me answers when I was living in toxic mold just 3 years ago!

For reference, here are the results of my first ERMI…

👉🏼 Pro tip: Before you complete the ERMI in your environment, allow dust to collect for a few days. This will give a more accurate representation of the mold spores present in your environment! Freshly cleaned surfaces can underrepresent mold contamination, leading to skewed results.

I’ve used the 5-Day, Swifter Kit option!

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Friend, I won’t sugarcoat it… Dealing with toxic mold can be intimidating and completely overwhelming. Because of that, I created a short list of *attainable* things I’d recommend for the one facing the early stages of navigating what to do next.

💡 Affordable Tips While You Figure It Out —

• Open windows, use fans, run dehumidifiers under 50% RH

• Invest in a HEPA air filter (AirDoctor is my fav — I own the AD2000)

• Use EC3 Concentrate & Laundry Additive for cleaning surfaces and bedding/clothes that have been exposed

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Healing from toxic mold takes time. Be patient with yourself and the process!

The first step after removing yourself from ongoing exposure is to support your body in a gentle detox by opening up your body’s foundational drainage pathways. I’ll be sending out Part 3 of this Toxic Mold Series later this week where I dive into how to do just that!

If you're actively navigating mold exposure and the ruggid road of healing from it, know that I’m walking it along side you and that I'm cheering you on. And if you want personal support on testing or detoxing, reach out — I'd truly love to help. 💛

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My Favorite Non-Toxic Mold Cleaner —

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🔒 A Deeper Dive for Paid Subscribers: Recommended Testing for your Body if You Suspect Toxic Mold Exposure