Most people think of mold as an unsightly nuisance, something you bleach off shower tiles or paint over in the basement. But mold and the toxins it produces (mycotoxins) are far more dangerous than most parents realize. In kids, mold exposure can disrupt immune function, hijack detox pathways, and inflame the brain.
The younger the child, the more vulnerable they are. For some, it looks like rashes or recurrent sinus infections. For others, it shows up as anxiety, hyperactivity, brain fog, or constant meltdowns.
Mold hides behind walls, under sinks, in the HVAC, around windows. And most families never see it coming until their child develops asthma, autoimmune symptoms, or a chronic illness that just won’t resolve.
Mold was part of our story, part of our root causes.
I want you to have the information we wish we’d had sooner. That way, you don’t have to spend months (or years) trying to figure out why your child’s symptoms don’t get better.
This guide covers everything I wish we’d known sooner:
How mold and mycotoxins affect the brain, immune system, and detox pathways?
- How can mold cause PANS or PANDAS?
Why symptoms don’t always improve after remediation?
- What else might be growing in water-damaged buildings, and why that matters?
If you are looking for natural solutions to mold and mycotoxins, read the Natural Guide to Mold and Mycotoxins.
To learn how to open the detox pathways read the Herbal Guide to Detox Pathways.
Indoor Mold is Always Harmful | It's Nature's Undertaker
In nature, mold’s job is to break down dead organic material like leaves, trees, or compost. By breaking material down, it returns nutrients to the soil. It’s job is to decompose living things. Outside, sun, wind, and microbes keep mold in check.
But mold in our homes behaves very differently.
Mold indoors has no natural checks and grows unchecked without wind or UV light. Without wind to disperse spores or UV light to kill it off, mold begins to behave competitively, like it’s fighting for dominance. In dark, damp, stagnant environments like bathrooms, basements, or behind walls, mold changes. It goes from being a harmless decomposer to an aggressive invader.
Once mold colonizes an indoor space, it releases harmful byproducts that affect your health. You might not see or smell it, but it can still be dangerous.
Three Ways Mold Can Harm You
Mold Spores & Spore Fragments
These are the reproductive particles mold releases to spread and colonize new areas. When inhaled, they can trigger classic allergic reactions, such as: sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and asthma symptoms
Even dead mold can cause reactions. Fragments of spores are still highly allergenic and can inflame the respiratory system.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | Mold’s "Exhaust"
Active, living mold doesn’t just release spores. It also “breathes out” chemical byproducts. Mold emits VOCs like alcohols and aldehydes that can harm the brain, liver, and lungs. These toxic gases, often odorless, pollute your indoor air and strain your health.
Mycotoxins | The Real Threat
Mycotoxins are 50 times smaller than mold spores and can’t be seen or smelled. They accumulate in your tissues, especially in the brain and nervous system.
They’re classified as neurotoxins, carcinogens, and immunosuppressants. Mycotoxins stay in your body and environment long after mold is gone.
How Mycotoxins Spread
Mycotoxins cling to dust and travel through ventilation systems. This spreads contamination throughout a home. They reach even hidden areas, like inside walls or under tile. Even after mold remediation, mycotoxins will still linger on surfaces, in dust, and in the air unless thorough, specialized cleaning methods are used. And, even then some people are too sensitive and will only heal after they leave the house that made them sick. That was true for our family.
Allergy vs. Chemical
Not all mold-related reactions are the same. Some people react to mold spores as an allergen. Others experience a much deeper, systemic response to mycotoxins.
Mold Allergy | Immune System Overreaction
A mold allergy is similar to other environmental allergies. Your immune system misidentifies mold spores as a threat and launches an inflammatory response. This reaction is driven by histamine and IgE antibodies, the same culprits behind seasonal allergies.
Chemical Mycotoxin Response | A Systemic Toxicity Issue
Mycotoxins are a type of organic chemical compound produced by certain molds. They serve as a defense mechanisms against other microbes. Mycotoxins can persist even after mold is dead. They can be inhaled, ingested (contaminated food), and absorbed through the skin.
Mycotoxins can disrupt immune function, impair detox pathways, and trigger neuroinflammation. Mold spores cause allergic reactions, but mycotoxins lead to systemic toxicity and neurological dysfunction.
The treatment approach is different for each:
Mold Allergy → Focus on antihistamines, allergy relief, and avoiding airborne spores.
Toxic Mold & Mycotoxin Exposure → Requires detoxification support (binders, liver support, sauna therapy, etc.) and often environmental remediation.
Many children with PANS/PANDAS react to mold and mycotoxins, and it’s not just because of an allergy. The connection between mold and PANS/PANDAS lies in mold’s profound ability to disrupt the immune system, fuel inflammation, and hijack brain function in already sensitive kids.
Mold & Mycotoxins Toxicity Symptoms
- Fatigue, muscle aches, headaches
- Sensitivity to light, unusual pains
- Abdominal pain, nausea, constipation
- Chronic sinus congestion, coughing, chest pain
- Electric shock sensations, ice pick-like pains
- Joint pain, cognitive issues, skin sensitivity
- Numbness, tingling, neuropathy
- Anxiety, depression, Dysautonomia
- Involuntary spasms or jerky movements while awake or asleep
- Night sweats, frequent urination, excessive thirst, body temperature issues
In children, mold illness may also present as ADHD-like symptoms, such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness, learning difficulties. It’s also more likely to produce separation anxiety.
How Mold Impacts the Body
Mold or biotoxin illness doesn’t confine itself to any one system or organ in the body. It attacks the whole body. Because mycotoxins are fat-soluble, they tend to accumulate in fatty tissues, including the brain and nervous system.
Here are some of the most important ways mold harms body:
Liver Overload.
They overwhelm detox pathways, overloading the liver’s enzyme system. The liver can no longer efficiently filter or excrete toxins. When the liver stalls, toxins recirculate, making kids with mold and PANDAS and PANS even more reactive.
Glutathione Depletion.
Mycotoxins burn through glutathione, the body’s master detox antioxidant, at an alarming rate. Without enough glutathione, toxins pile up. This leaves the body vulnerable and stuck in an inflamed state. Deficient Glutathione in Mycotoxin Illness.
Inflammatory Response.
Mold and mycotoxins trigger inflammation that spreads like wildfire. The inflammation makes the blood-brain barrier more permeable, allowing more pathogens and toxins to enter the brain. (Shoemaker Neuroquant study)
Immune Suppression.
Mycotoxins first target the innate immune system by reducing natural killer cell function. This makes the body more vulnerable to viruses and more likely to struggle to recover from viruses. Over time, long-term exposure weakens adaptive immunity, causing T&B cell deficiencies and reactivating dormant pathogens like Lyme and Epstein-Barr.
Neurotoxicity.
These toxins easily cross the blood-brain barrier. Once inside mycotoxins disrupt neurotransmitter activity, impair cognitive function, hijack mood and motor control, and further degrade the blood-brain barrier.
Dysbiosis & Leaky Gut.
Mycotoxins damage the intestinal lining, increasing permeability. Undigested proteins and toxins flood the bloodstream, provoking immune dysregulation. The gut microbiome shifts; beneficial species decline and inflammation escalates. (Source)
Mast Cell.
Mold exposure hyper-activates mast cells, triggering excess histamine release. Children become hypersensitive to environmental stimuli, foods, and emotional stress. In mold and PANS, mast cell activation worsens systemic inflammation. Understanding Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Nutrient & Mitochondrial Depletion.
Chronic mold exposure drains essential nutrients, zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Mitochondrial energy slows, and ATP production declines.
Autoimmunity.
Exposures may drive or worsen autoimmune conditions. Studies point to different mechanisms that may lead to autoimmunity including barrier disruption, immune modulation, and cytokine surges. For those with existing immune imbalance (which includes many PANS/PANDAS kids), chronic mold exposure can act as fuel on the fire, amplifying inflammation and pushing the immune system further into overdrive.
Nervous System Dysregulation.
Mycotoxins inflame parts of the brain responsible for fear and emotional regulation, including the amygdala and limbic system. This inflammation drives the nervous system into constant survival mode. In this state, the body prioritizes survival over regulation. Children may become hyper-reactive, anxious, emotionally volatile, or aggressive. Others may shut down entirely, withdrawing or dissociating as the brain shifts into a freeze state. Their bodies interpret the world as unsafe, even when it isn’t. Until you remove the toxins, the nervous system will remain stuck in dysfunction.
Mold Always Finds the Weak Spot
Mold is an opportunist. It takes advantage of the weak, the “canaries in the coal mine.” Those with an autoimmune condition, PANS/PANDAS, or autism are the canaries.
Who does Mold pick on?
The Genetically Susceptible – People with HLA-DR gene mutations (about 25% of the population) have trouble tagging and removing mold toxins from the body.
The Detox-Challenged – If detox pathways (liver, kidneys, lymphatic system) are sluggish due to genetics (MTHFR mutations), nutrient deficiencies, or overload from other toxins, mycotoxins get “stuck” in their bodies.
The Immunocompromised – Those with autoimmune conditions, Lyme, PANS/PANDAS, or other chronic illnesses often react more intensely to mold. Why? Because mold further dysregulates an already-overactive or confused immune system.
The Sensory-Sensitive – Many mold-exposed individuals develop Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), reacting to fragrances, cleaning products, and everyday chemicals that never used to bother them. It’s as if mold “rewires” the body to perceive the world as a chemical battlefield.
Once you identify mold as the bully it is, you can fight back with knowledge, detox strategies, and environmental changes.
Book Recommendations on the Health Impact of Mold and Mycotoxins:
📘Shoemaker, R. C. (2018). Mold Illness: Surviving and Thriving: A Recovery Manual for Patients & Families Impacted by CIRS. A practical recovery manual from the pioneer in mold-rated CIRS, this book offers step-by-step guidance for those dealing with mold-triggered inflammation.
📕Crista, J. (2018). Break the Mold: 5 Tools to Conquer Mold and Take Back Your Health. Dr. Crista breaks down the complex world or mold-illness into 5 key tools, perfect for families battling mold and PANS/PANDAS.
📗Nathan, N. E. (2018). Toxic: Heal Your Body from Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and Chronic Environmental Illness. Dr. Neil Nathan’s book expands the conversation between mold alone, exploring how environmental toxins, including mold and PANS/PANDAS triggers, contribute to chronic illness, and how to heal.
Can Mold Toxicity Cause PANDAS & PANS?
Mold and mycotoxins are harmful to everyone. But in a child with PANS or PANDAS, where the immune system is already on edge and the brain is stuck in survival mode, mold pours fuel on the fire. It doesn’t just trigger symptoms. Mold keeps the whole system stuck in a loop of inflammation.
PANS/PANDAS and the Mold Toxicity Inflammatory Loop
PANS and PANDAS are fundamentally neuroimmune conditions, meaning they involve both immune dysfunction and brain inflammation. Mold disrupts both systems at once, keeping the body in a chronic state of perceived danger. It reprograms the system to stay in fight-or-flight mode. For children already walking a fine line between stability and flare, mold pushes them over the edge, often silently, without any visible signs of mold in the environment.
This is why so many families report that true healing didn’t begin until they addressed mold. Mold exposure isn’t always the root cause, but it can be the missing piece that keeps a child stuck in chronic inflammation, no matter how many supplements or antimicrobials they’re taking.
🎧 Podcast Recommendation:
Dr. Nancy O’Hara, Is Mold Making Your Sick? The Overlooked Trigger behind PANS/PANDAS. Dr. O’Hara has a new podcast show and this episode focuses on mold and PANS/PANDAS, how it’s missed, how to identify it and heal.
Change the Air Foundation. Air Talks, PANDAS, PANS and Environmental Toxins.
Why Most Doctors Aren't Familiar with Mold Illness
Most conventional doctors aren’t trained to recognize the full impact of mold and biotoxin illness. In medical school, mold exposure is primarily taught in the context of respiratory issues or allergic reactions, not as a cause of systemic illness affecting the brain, immune system, and detox pathways. But that understanding is outdated. The conventional medicine model lags behind new research.
And the deeper research into mold and its byproducts, like mycotoxins, is actually fairly new, about 20 years and it takes decades for new research to be integrated into mainstream medical practice.
Take smoking for example. Studies in the 1950’s determined that smoking caused lung cancer, but in the late 1960s and into the 1970s doctors were still regularly smoking in hospitals. It wasn’t until 1994 (more than 40 years later) that federal laws were enacted to finally ban smoking in schools and hospitals.
Gut health and leaky gut are also still not taught in medical school…so just because your PCP doesn’t believe you have mold toxicity does not mean you should accept their opinion as fact.
Mold research is following the same pattern as smoking, slowly making its way into the mainstream. Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker was a pioneer in biotoxin illness research in the late 90s and early 2000s. His 2005 book, Mold Warriors, exposed the link between water-damaged buildings and biotoxin illness and its systemic inflammatory impact.
Visual Contrast Sensitivity Test
If you suspect mold is affecting you or your child, the first step is confirming exposure. One of the simplest and most cost-effective tools available is the Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) Test, found on Dr. Shoemaker’s website, SurvivingMold.com.
This test measures your ability to distinguish between shades of gray, a function that can be impaired by neurotoxic exposure, including mold and mycotoxins. Since mycotoxins affect blood flow and oxygen delivery to the optic nerve, reduced contrast sensitivity is an indicator of biotoxin illness. The VCS test is a quick, online test that can help screen for mold toxicity before investing in expensive lab work. If you fail the VCS test, it suggests mold or other neurotoxic exposure (like Lyme, cyanobacteria, or heavy metals) is affecting your system. But if you pass that does not mean you don’t have some biotoxin illness, just that it has not impacted you neurologically yet.
Testing for Mycotoxins
Urinary Mycotoxin Tests
The process involves collecting a urine sample, which is then analyzed for various mycotoxins. This test can identify specific types of mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin, aflatoxin, and gliotoxin, and others. These toxins are linked to specific molds, like Aspergillus and Stachybotrys (black mold), and if they are detected it means that the body has been exposed to mold and is currently excreting these toxins.
Urine mycotoxin testing is particularly helpful for individuals who are experiencing symptoms consistent with mold exposure and/or suspect mold but haven’t found any in the home and school.
Knowing which mycotoxins are in your system is important for guiding the right detox protocol. Different mycotoxins bind to different detox agents, meaning a one-size-fits-all approach won’t be as effective. Using the right binder means faster toxin elimination and less risk of mycotoxins recirculating in your system.
Unlike traditional lab testing you can order your own mycotoxin tests from Vibrant Wellness.
Home Mold Testing | ERMI, EMMA and HERTSMI
If you suspect mold is impacting your health, you have to figure out if your home is the problem (it usually is). Three of the most commonly used tests are ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index), EMMA (Environmental Mold and Mycotoxin Assessment), HERSTI (Home Environmental Relative Severity of Toxin Index).
This is an area where you’ll find different practitioners have very different opinions on the best test. But these tests are kits that homeowners can order themselves before spending money on inspectors and remediators.
ERMI
The ERMI test is a DNA-based analysis that detects 36 different mold species commonly found in water-damaged homes. Unlike standard air tests, which only capture a snapshot of airborne spores at a single moment in time, ERMI analyzes settled dust, providing a more accurate representation of long-term mold exposure.
To perform an ERMI test, dust is collected from various surfaces in the home, including high surfaces (ceiling fans, top shelves) where mold spores naturally settle over time. The test then assigns a moldiness index score, comparing the mold levels in your home to a national database.
A higher ERMI score indicates a greater mold burden.
EMMA
While ERMI is useful for identifying mold species, it does not detect mycotoxins. The EMMA test (Environmental Mold and Mycotoxin Assessment) goes a step further by analyzing for 10 of the most toxic mold species (including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Chaetomium, and Stachybotrys a.k.a. “black mold”) and Mycotoxins that could be actively contaminating your home.
HERSTI
HERSTI is a newer, more advanced scoring system used alongside the EMMA test to quantify environmental toxicity risk in a home, especially for those with CIRS, PANS/PANDAS, or Lyme.
It combines the presence of mold DNA and mycotoxins with scoring criteria to assess how severe and dangerous your home environment may be for sensitive individuals.
Scored from 1–10+, a higher HERSTI indicates a home that is biotoxically unsafe for individuals with known immune or neurological sensitivities.
HERSTI can be especially helpful for families deciding whether to remediate or relocate. If your child is highly sensitive (as many with PANS/PANDAS are), even a “moderate” HERSTI score may be too much to tolerate.
Hiring Professionals
Finding a Qualified Mold Inspector
If you’ve tested your home and found mold but don’t know the source, hire a qualified inspector to dig deeper. Many traditional home inspectors rely on outdated air sampling, which often misses hidden mold and underestimates contamination. If you suspect mold exposure, choose an inspector trained in mold illness, advanced testing, and mycotoxin risks.
A knowledgeable inspector will examine HVAC systems, drill holes to check behind walls, assess crawl spaces, and inspect attics, and much more. They need a strong understanding of mycotoxins and their health effects. If an inspector downplays the impact of mold exposure or dismisses concerns, find someone else, especially for individuals with PANS/PANDAS, Lyme, or chronic inflammatory conditions.
To avoid a conflict of interest, the best mold inspectors do not offer remediation services. Their job is to test and assess, not to sell cleanup solutions. That way their recommendations are unbiased and based on an accurate evaluation of your environment, and not clouded trying to upsell you on remediation services.
Download this guide from Change the Air Foundation Questions to Ask When Hiring an Indoor Environmental Professional.
For a list of qualified mold inspectors who follow best practices, visit the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI) – Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) Directory.
Choosing the Right Mold Remediation Company
When testing confirms mold, find a qualified remediation company that doesn’t cut corners. Many companies skip steps, leaving behind mold or failing to address mycotoxins.
A good remediation company sets up proper containment and uses HEPA air scrubbers to trap airborne mold particles. They should physically remove contaminated materials like drywall, carpet, or insulation. Just spraying or painting over mold doesn’t work.
See the guide from Change the Air Foundation Questions to Ask When Hiring a Remediation Company.
For a list of mold remediators who follow best practices, visit the ISEAI Indoor Environmental Professional Directory
Cleaning after Remediation
Once mold remediation is complete, the job isn’t over yet. Mold remediation stirs up contaminated particles that settle on floors, walls, furniture, even clothes. You need to follow a thorough post-remediation cleaning protocol to clear these lingering toxins and keep your home safe.
Small-Particle Cleaning Protocol
To fully remove mold spores and mycotoxins, follow the two-step cleaning process.
- HEPA Vacuuming – A true HEPA vacuum is necessary to remove the ultrafine mold particles embedded in dust. Every surface should be vacuumed, including walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, books, and décor. Mold spores and toxins settle everywhere, not just in the visibly affected areas. A couple of trusted brands are Miele Complete C3 Calima HEPA, Shark Rotator Professional Lift Away.
- Microfiber Wiping with Mold-Specific Cleaning Solutions – After vacuuming, all surfaces should be wiped down using microfiber cloths and a mold-specific cleaning agent like EC3 or Benefect Decon 30. Microfiber cloths are ideal because they effectively trap small particles instead of just spreading them around.
This process may need to be repeated multiple times to ensure that all residual spores and toxins are removed.
High Quality Air Filtration
Air purifiers don’t replace remediation, but they can help reduce lingering mold and mycotoxins in your home’s air. A high-quality air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon filtration can help remove lingering contaminants from the air, cutting back on toxins that enter the lungs and reducing exposure. Some air purifiers also contain photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) or PECO technology, which can help break down volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and mold-related toxins. Some trusted brands are Jaspr, Intellipure, and AirOasis.
What personal possessions should you toss?
This is one of the most debated issues in mold recovery, with lots of opinions. The first question is how sensitive are the people in the home and how sick have they become? For individuals with severe mold illness, extreme chemical sensitivities, or neurological symptoms (such as those with PANS/PANDAS, Lyme, or CIRS), even tiny amounts of lingering mycotoxins may trigger reactions.
Mycotoxins aren’t alive, but they can still off-gas and trigger inflammation. Bringing contaminated items to your new or cleaned space can sabotage your healing.
That said, not everything needs to be thrown out. Here are some general guidelines:
✤ Items you can usually keep (non-porous):
Non-porous materials do not absorb mold spores or mycotoxins and can be salvaged with thorough small-particle cleaning. These include:
Metal (stainless steel cookware, tools, silverware)
Glass (dishes, mirrors, vases)
Hard plastic (toys, storage bins)
To clean: HEPA vacuum first, then wipe down with microfiber cloths and mold-specific cleaning solutions (like EC3, Benefect Decon 30, or vinegar).
✤ Items you should Toss (Porous & High-Risk)
Porous materials act like sponges, soaking up mold spores and mycotoxins. These items are almost impossible to fully decontaminate and can continue to off-gas toxins, leading to persistent exposure and ongoing symptoms. If you or your child are highly sensitive, it’s safest to replace:
Pillows, mattresses, and bedding (even if washed, mycotoxins often remain embedded in the fibers)
Upholstered furniture (couches, recliners, padded chairs, headboards)
Carpet and rugs (especially if they were in a contaminated area)
Stuffed animals and plush toys
Paper items (books, notebooks, cardboard boxes—these trap mold spores in the fibers)
- Exception: Unless you are hyper-sensitive, most people are able to retain clothing by performing extra wash cycles, and using EC3, Borax, and Vinegar. You could do 3 washes and use one of those in each wash, or combine a couple in one wash. This will depend on the individual, but the thicker the material or the item (think puffy coats, quilts, thick curtains) the greater likelihood that they will still hold onto mycotoxins)
✤ The Gray Area (Semi-Porous)
Semi-porous materials can go either way, depending on how contaminated the home was and how sensitive you are. These include:
Wood furniture (sealed solid wood may be salvageable with sanding/sealing; particleboard or MDF should be tossed)
Shoes, purses, and bags (if made of leather or synthetic materials, they may hold onto mycotoxins)
If you’re unsure, trial it and bring one item into a safe space and see if symptoms return. When in doubt, it’s often safer to replace than risk re-exposure.
Feeling Worse After Leaving Mold?!
Many people feel worse before they feel better. This happens because the body, now free from constant exposure, begins releasing stored mycotoxins, which can overwhelm detox pathways and cause unpleasant symptoms. Support your detox with hydration (filtered water + minerals), gentle movement, and liver-nourishing nutrients like NAC or dandelion tea can help ease this process.
“Unmasking” can also happen: once out of the moldy home, your immune system can overreact to even tiny exposures from dust, perfumes, cleaning products. Use air purifiers and fragrance-free products, and support your mast cells with quercetin or vitamin C.
Mold profoundly inflammes the nervous system, causing dysautonomia (nervous system imbalance). When leaving mold, the brain has to adjust, leading to worse brain fog, anxiety, dizziness, or feeling detached from reality. If you have PANS/PANDAS or mast cell activation, your nervous system may be in a heightened inflammatory state, making symptoms worse. Magnesium Threonate can calm brain inflammation and support nerves. Vagus nerve stimulation, deep breathing, cold water therapy or humming can help regulate the nervous system.
Mold damages the gut lining and microbiome, leading to new food sensitivities, bloating, and gut issues. Support gut healing with Saccharomyces boulardii, L-glutamine, and a short-term low-histamine diet.
Finally, mold depletes vital nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and glutathione. Replenish them to help your body heal and restore balance.
To learn more about detoxing mold and mycotoxins, read the Natural Guide to Mold Toxicity.
Further Testing for Mold Toxicity PANS/PANDAS
1. OAT (Organic Acids Test)
The Organic Acids Test is one of the best functional lab tests for mold-exposed individuals. Run by labs Mosaic Diagnostics this urine test looks at a wide range of biochemical markers that reflect:
Fungal overgrowth (including Aspergillus, Candida)
Detox function (glutathione, oxidative stress)
Mitochondrial damage (Krebs cycle metabolites)
Neurotransmitter balance (dopamine, serotonin precursors)
B-vitamin deficiencies
Oxalates (which often increase with mold + yeast)
If your child has neurological symptoms (OCD, tics, rage, anxiety), the OAT can help you identify whether mold is still driving neuroinflammation, yeast is out of control, or mitochondria dysfunction, so you can choose targeted nutrients, antifungals, or mitochondrial support.
2. Gut Zoomer
Since mold affects the gut lining and microbiome, stool testing can be very helpful, especially if there are GI symptoms (bloating, pain, constipation, picky eating, or new food intolerances). These tests look for:
Pathogenic bacteria (Clostridia, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas)
Fungal markers (yeast and mold)
Inflammation (calprotectin, secretory IgA)
Leaky gut (zonulin)
Pancreatic enzyme output
Commensal bacteria imbalances
A child may clear mold exposure but still struggle due to gut inflammation, yeast, or loss of beneficial flora. You can’t heal the brain if you don’t address the gut.
Additional Resources
Here are some trusted sites, tools, and organizations, for education, testing, finding practitioners, or just not feeling so alone.
Change the Air Foundation is an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the connection between indoor air quality and chronic illness, especially in children. Their mission is to educate, empower, and equip families to take control of the air they breathe, whether at home, school, or work. They have resources like podcasts, mini-classes, FAQs and guides.
Dr. Shoemaker’s website has additional resources for people navigating biotoxin illness. You’ll find:
Guides for Patients – Detailed information on CIRS, symptoms, and treatment steps.
A List of Certified Shoemaker Protocol Doctors – This directory helps locate a provider trained in the Shoemaker Protocol.
E-Books & Articles – Extensive research on mold illness, including treatment strategies, case studies, and patient recovery stories.
Lab Testing & Diagnosis Info – A breakdown of key biomarkers, like TGF-beta1, C4a, and MMP-9, which indicate mold-related immune dysfunction.
International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness
ISEAI is focused on identifying, treating, educating about, and researching environmentally acquired illnesses, such as mold-related illness, chronic Lyme, chemical sensitivities, CIRS, and MCAS. Their mission to integrate environmental illness awareness into mainstream medicine through clinical practice, education, and research. They offer directories of practitioners experienced in treating complex, environmentally-triggered illnesses like PANS/PANDAS
When Mold Isn't the Whole Story
If you’ve addressed mold, done the detox, and your child is still struggling, there’s another piece of the puzzle that often gets missed: actinomycetes. These bacterial toxins, which thrive in the same water-damaged environments as mold, can cause just as much harm, sometimes more. Let’s take a closer look.
If the mold testing in your home was not as high as you expected or you remediated and detoxed and aren’t getting better, you may want to consider actinomycetes.
Mold and mycotoxins get most of the attention in water-damaged buildings, but actinomycetes can be even more harmful. These bacteria thrive in damp, poorly ventilated spaces alongside mold, releasing toxins that trigger inflammation, neurological issues, and immune dysfunction.
Some people who think they’re reacting to mold may actually be suffering from actinomycetes exposure.
Water-Damaged Building Materials
When water-damaged building materials are left untreated, it doesn’t just allow mold to grow, it creates the perfect environment for the growth of various bacteria. This happens in several ways:
- Organic Material Decomposition: Mold feeds on organic materials like wood and drywall, breaking them down and creating more moisture. This extra moisture and organic waste, making the area even more inviting for bacteria.
- Surface Damage: As mold spreads, it damages surfaces, forming tiny cracks where moisture and organic debris get trapped. These damp, sheltered spaces become the perfect breeding ground for bacterial overgrowth.
Mold and actinomycetes often grow together, but when mold is left untreated, actinomycetes can take over and become the dominant organism.
Health Impacts of Actinomycetes
Actinomycetes are now emerging as equally important if not more, than mold and mycotoxins, in the development of CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) and other chronic health conditions.
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker’s research has shown that in some patients previously diagnosed with mold-related CIRS, actinomycetes levels were even higher than mycotoxins and were likely the driving force. These bacteria thrive in moist, water-damaged environments and produce inflammatory compounds that trigger an intense immune response, especially in genetically susceptible individuals.
Exposure to Actinomycetes can trigger chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and neurological symptoms. Some of the most common issues include:
1. Immune Suppression & Secondary Infections
Actinomycetes can lower immune defenses, especially in someone already dealing with mold illness. This sets the stage for opportunistic pathogens. Pathogens like Staphylococcus, Mycoplasma, and Streptococcus can take advantage of the compromised system, leading to skin infections, sinus infections and respiratory infections.
2. Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
Like mycotoxins, actinomycetes can trigger CIRS, a condition characterized by persistent inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, memory issues, joint and muscle pain, and sleep disturbances. Shoemaker’s protocol has evolved over the years to include actinomycetes testing and treatment, for patients who failed to recover with the mold-only detox protocols.
3. Neurological Impacts
Actinomycetes produce neurotoxic metabolites that can cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to peripheral nerve pain (neuropathy), cognitive dysfunction (slow thinking, memory lapses), mood imbalances (anxiety, depression, irritability), and sensory hypersensitivity (light, sound, and touch intolerance).
4. Respiratory Systems
Inhalation of actinomycetes can lead to chronic sinusitis, post-nasal drip, persistent dry cough, and inflammation of the airway.
Actinomycetes colonization in sinuses can be resistant to treatment if not identified, especially when actinomycetes hide with MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staph).
5. Biofilm Formation
Actinomycetes form biofilms that shield them from the immune system and antibiotics.
These biofilms allow chronic infections to persist, which explains why some people don’t improve after standard mold detox.
If someone has addressed mold exposure, completed detox protocols, and still feel sick, actinomycetes may be the next thing to pursue. They often coexist with mold and mycotoxins in water-damaged environments but require different treatment strategies, including targeted biofilm disruptors, antimicrobial therapies, and continued support for detox.
📋 For more information on actinomycetes read Dr. Shoemaker’s Research Article: Exposure to Actinobacteria resident in water-damaged buildings and resultant immune injury in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.
Actinomycetes Testing
EnviroBiomics offers an Actino Test, which uses a Swiffer-style dust collection method, similar to ERMI and EMMA testing. This makes it easy to collect samples from settled dust in your home, which can then be analyzed for actinomycetes and other bacterial contaminants.
Quick Recap
Mold, mycotoxins and actinomycetes are a systemic health threat that goes far beyond what the eye can see. In a child with PANS or PANDAS, mold is catastrophic.
- Mold Produces Mycotoxins – These fat-soluble toxins infiltrate the body, disrupt detox pathways, and cause neurological, immune, and gut dysfunction.
- Mycotoxins Are Airborne & Persistent – Even after visible mold is removed, mycotoxins linger in dust, HVAC systems, and porous materials. After remediation some possessions may need to be tossed.
- Actinomycetes: A Missing Piece in CIRS. Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker’s research suggests that bacterial biotoxins from actinomycetes may be even more dangerous than mold, leading to CIRS and neurotoxicity.
- Mold Weakens the Immune System & Triggers Autoimmunity – Mycotoxins suppress immune function, reactivate latent infections (like Lyme & Epstein-Barr), and disrupt the gut microbiome and lining, setting the stage for autoimmune diseases.
- Symptoms Can Be Misdiagnosed – Mold toxicity can mimic chronic fatigue, ADHD, anxiety, MCAS, fibromyalgia, and even neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
- Testing is Critical – Many people have mold illness but don’t realize it. Testing your home and your body for mycotoxins, actinomycetes, and biotoxins is key to healing.
For more about healing from mold and biotoxins illness check out the Herbal Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, mold is a major trigger of PANS and PANDAS, and other autoimmune conditions. Mycotoxins overstimulate the immune system, inflame the brain, overwhelm detox pathways, which can push a child who’s already vulnerable into severe flares.
Mold can cause or worsen OCD, anxiety, rage, tics, sensory overload, fatigue, brain fog, and poor sleep. In children it often causes hyperactivity, anxiety, rage and mood swings. Physical signs may include sinus congestion, skin rashes, food sensitivities, and dark circles under the eyes (“allergic shiners”).
Yes. Mold exposure can increase histamine release and neuroinflammation, which both contribute to sudden rage and severe mood swings. Rage is a common symptom of mold toxicity and Bartonella in children with PANS or PANDAS.
Mycotoxins cross the blood-brain barrier, activating microglia (the brain’s immune cells). This constant inflammation disrupts normal brain signaling, making it harder for kids to regulate mood, thoughts, and behavior.
The top priority is always reducing exposure. No supplement or treatment can overcome a toxic environment. Once exposure is managed, supporting detox pathways helps the body recover.
Sudden onset of OCD, anxiety, or tics
Severe emotional swings or rage episodes
Bedwetting or urinary frequency
Regression in behavior or skills
Sensory sensitivities
Sleep disturbances
Food restrictions or ARFID
Handwriting or motor skill decline
Dilated pupils and fight-or-flight symptoms
Many families discover mold was the hidden root behind a plateau or flare.