Symptoms of Fungal Exposure (Mycotoxicosis)

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Symptoms of Fungal Exposure (Mycotoxicosis)

Lillard-

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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