If you’re constantly sneezing, coughing, or feeling unusually tired or unwell, there’s a possibility you’re being exposed to mold in your home without even knowing it.

Along with respiratory problems, mold exposure has also been associated with early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Regularly cleaning your home and knowing the symptoms of mold exposure is essential for maintaining your well-being.

1. You can’t stop sneezing

Are you frequently experiencing allergy-like symptoms at home? Things like sneezing, coughing, itchy or watery eyes, throat irritation, nasal congestion, and even rashes or skin irritation can all be signs that mold is present in your environment.

Mold toxicity can trigger unexpected allergic reactions. You might find yourself catching colds more often or noticing that your nose gets stuffy only when you’re indoors.

These symptoms can either show up suddenly or develop gradually over time.

2. Breathing becomes more difficult

The CDC warns that mold exposure can bring on asthma-like symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in the chest.

Even people without a history of allergies or asthma may find themselves struggling to breathe around mold. And for those who do have asthma, mold can make symptoms much worse.

3. Persistent fatigue

There are many causes for feeling tired all the time, but one that’s often overlooked is mold. Feeling sluggish, low-energy, or constantly drained could be due to exposure to mycotoxins—harmful mold byproducts that grow in warm, humid areas and on food.

A study published in Toxins in 2013 found that certain types of mold exposure are linked to chronic fatigue symptoms.

4. Mental fog and lack of focus

If you’re feeling forgetful or mentally foggy, mold may be playing a part. Mold exposure can trigger inflammation in the body, and that inflammation can affect the brain.

Since mold acts as an irritant, it can provoke a strong immune response. A 2009 study in neuropsychology found that chronic inflammation caused by mold exposure can impair memory and thinking over time.

5. Feeling more down or anxious

There’s growing research showing mold’s effects on mental health. Mold in the home can contribute to increased anxiety and depression.

One study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that living in a damp or moldy space could raise the risk of depression by 34% to 44%. Another 2020 study linked mold exposure to behaviors resembling anxiety.

The bottom line

These days, many of us spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors, far more than our ancestors ever did. Only recently have scientists started to understand the health consequences of this shift.

One thing is clear across studies: improving our indoor air quality can significantly improve our health. Paying attention to what we breathe inside our homes is more important than ever.