Mold and Headaches

Can mold cause headaches? This must be the first question that arose in your mind when you saw the title 'mold and headaches'! Well, the answer is 'YES'! Molds, especially black mold can cause migraine headaches. As per the studies of Mayo clinic, mold allergy is the cause behind 37 million Americans suffering from chronic sinus infections and headaches. Although mold plays an important role in the environment by decomposing dead plants and trees, and also by recycling essential nutrients in the environment, existence of mold in households can cause some health infections and allergies as well! A mold is a downy substance which grows in moist and damp environment! Unlike olden days wherein the houses were big and airy, the modern houses today are more compact! Therefore, if you have a leaking pipe, damp basements and attic; resulting in too much moisture in the surrounding, then, there are chances of mold causing headaches.

Why Does Mold Cause Headaches?

If you are breathing in an environment containing mold, it is obvious that the surroundings would be moist and damp. Such environment consists of tiny mold spores which are present in the air. Inhaling them into your immune system results in antibodies to fight against them as a part of the defense mechanism. These mold spores are foreign elements in the body and therefore the immune system reacts to them as 'unwanted invaders' and releases a substance known as histamine, which results in allergic reactions such as sneezing, running nose, and even headaches!

Another point to be kept in mind is that molds are of different kinds and can cause different allergic reactions based on their individual properties. But the good news is that not all molds can cause allergies. Mentioned below are the names of some kinds of mold that can cause headaches and other allergic symptoms.

• Stachybotrys atra
• Penicillium
• Alternaria
• Aspergillus
• Cladosporium

What makes these mold a health hazard are the microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) that release from the growth of mold and gives the surroundings a suffocating foul odor that can cause not only migraines, but other health problems. Apart from severe headaches, mentioned below are some more health issues and reactions related to molds. Have a look at these mold symptoms to get an idea how dangerous is mold allergy!

• Itching
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Cold and flu
• Appetite Loss
• Memory loss
• Fever
• Nosebleeds
• Pneumonia
• Breathing problems
• Skin Infections and allergies
• Toxic reactions include dizziness, fatigue, lack of concentration, and nervousness.

Aren't the symptoms shocking enough!! Well, these symptoms are nothing compared to the severe symptoms that can prove to be fatal to some people. As mentioned earlier, not everyone is affected by mold allergy in the same manner. While some people get minor allergies, for some people, mold has also been the cause of long-term memory loss, brain damage, and even death in some cases! So, understand the seriousness and make sure that you don't let the mold have any space in your house or work. This can be done by adapting some necessary measures, which may seem to be a headache now, but would prove to be a great remedy for the unexplainable health problems that you are dealing with.

How Can Headaches Related to Mold be Prevented?

If mold is the reason behind headaches and other infections, what could be a better remedy than to prevent the growth of mold in your surroundings by using mold removal techniques. Usually offices install various methods and techniques to get rid of the excess humidity by using a dehumidifier! There are various mold removal techniques that can help you get effective mold remediation. Some ways to prevent molds are mentioned as follows.

• Prevent anything that results in making some areas at your home moist, like a leaking pipe, or less air ventilation!
• You can make sure that your bathroom, kitchen, etc., is adequately ventilated, and the areas around the tiles, sink, drainage pipe, etc., are dry and clean.
• Using a mask while cleaning the attic or other areas of the house is advisable.
• As remedial measures, you can also wear a dust mask most of the time, specially if you are going outside your house in a foggy or humid weather. This is because during these weathers, the number of mold spores present in the air are high and therefore you are more prone to mold allergies.
• It is also advisable to sleep with your windows closed during such weather as the mold spores may enter your body during sleep!

You can also go through the mold allergy treatments to know more about the cures. However, in this case, prevention is better than cure. Now that you have understood the reason how mold and headaches are interrelated, it would be easier for you to understand the reasons behind those unexplained headaches and allergies that you were suffering from. So next time, after popping a pill for a headache, start cleaning the mold that has caused it in the first place. I don't have to say that you should get it done by professionals, and stay away from that place while the cleaning is happening. Take care.