Is It Mold Rash Or Something Else? The Surprising Link Between Mold Exposure + Skin Health

In my telehealth functional medicine clinic, people often come to me with uncomfortable rashes. Not only are they having difficulty clearing up the skin rash, but they don’t know what caused the rash to begin with. And while there can be many driving factors behind these skin problems, there is one surprising trigger that gets overlooked time and time again, mold (a type of fungus).

Rashes are just one example of your body signaling that something needs to be addressed internally. That’s because your skin is more than what you see in the mirror. It acts as a window into what’s going on beneath the surface. So instead of approaching this skin problem topically, my job as a functional medicine practitioner is to address mold rashes from the inside out. From identifying exposure to mold and addressing skin barrier dysfunction and necessary detox support, overcoming mold rash needs more than just a cream — it requires a multi-factorial approach that takes into account your whole body.

What does a mold rash look like?

A mold-related rash doesn’t look the same on each person. That’s because mold exposure can affect the skin in multiple ways. For some people, touching or inhaling mold spores can trigger an allergic reaction that includes a rash. Common indoor molds like Aspergillus and damp indoor environments have also been associated with eczema and other allergic conditions due to a combination of inflammatory and immune triggers. But depending on the underlying reaction, a mold rash could look like any of the following:

• Dry or cracked skin
• Hives
• Raised welts
• Small raised bumps
• Fluid filled blisters
• Red or pink patches of skin

If your rash is due to sudden mold exposure, you may also experience other allergy symptoms alongside the rash such as:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Wheezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Coughing
• Headaches

Understanding the gut-skin-immune connection

We tend to think of the skin as somehow separate from the rest of your body, when it is actually our body’s largest organ, making up about 10% of our total body weight! It acts as the first line of defense between the outside world and everything underneath the surface of your skin. When your skin barrier is healthy, it helps to keep moisture in while limiting the penetration of unwanted substances. However, that barrier can become compromised due to a dysfunction in the gut-skin-immune axis, and therefore more reactive to environmental triggers like mold. 

Your immune system, gut, hormones, nervous system, and skin are in constant two-way communication with each other. Everything from underlying gut dysfunctions, chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental irritants can disrupt this system. If something affects your gut health, it can show up on your skin, and vice versa.

For example, skin disorders like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema almost always have roots in systemic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and/or gut dysfunction. In fact, I’d argue almost all skin issues fall somewhere on the inflammation-autoimmune spectrum.

Your skin also has its very own microbiome, just like your gut. And similar to your gut, your skin microbiome can also be in a state of dysbiosis. When this dysbiosis occurs, your skin’s protective barrier can become compromised allowing moisture to escape and irritants, allergens, and toxins to seep in. This ends up triggering your immune system to act, which can result in reactive, sensitive, or inflamed skin and inflammation throughout the body. Skin damage can also disrupt the gut microbiome. (1)

Needless to say, mold exposure can wreak havoc on your skin in more ways than one and why it is so important to take the steps.

Is it a mold rash or something else?

Now that we understand the connection between your gut, skin, and immune system, it opens up the possibility that the “rash” you are experiencing may be more than just a temporary rash. Even though mold exposure could still be the underlying trigger, there are many other skin problems that have roots in a mold allergy.

• Eczema: Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a dry skin condition that causes the skin to be red and itchy. Eczema can be long-lasting and can periodically flare up depending on the weather or your surroundings and can also be triggered by mold exposure.
• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that results in the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to the formation of thick, silvery scales known as plaques and itchy, dry, and red patches on the skin. For people who are allergic to mold, mold can act as a main trigger to the inflammatory-autoimmune reaction that results in the development of this skin condition.

I don’t say all of this to incite fear, but I want to drive home the point that mold toxicity can play a role in immune system dysregulation and more long-term conditions. And why it is so important to work with a functional medicine practitioner who can better identify what is happening underneath the surface to determine your rash is an acute or chronic reaction to mold exposure.

How to diagnose mold rash

The biggest problem with mold is that it is insidious. Since it hides in dark, damp places hidden to the human eye, you can go on for years without even knowing that it’s there. That’s why mold testing is so important because it can help identify current exposure even if you aren’t able to locate the source right away. Also, it’s important to note that even though traditional allergy testing, skin tests, routine blood tests, or a single lab test isn’t always definitive for mold exposure, there are quite a few biomarkers that can help us determine if mold exposure is a factor in your case:

• C4a: Healthy levels of this protein can indicate a strong immune system. High levels on the other hand can lead to tissue damage and chronic inflammation. This is one of the most obvious indicators of a current mold exposure.
• Transforming Growth Factor Beta1: While important to the health of your cells, when high, this cytokine can have pro-inflammatory effects and indicate a potential mold exposure. (2)
• MMP-9: This enzyme works to stimulate the immune response but when high can contribute to out-of-control inflammation and is correlated with mold exposure.
• ACTH/Cortisol: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) controls the release of your body’s stress hormone, cortisol, which can be high in cases of mold exposure.
• SOCS3: This acronym stands for “suppressor of cytokine signaling 3,” which can be elevated directly from mold exposure or from other imbalances caused by mold, leading to a variety of symptoms. (3)
• Mycotoxin labs: These labs look for the presence of mycotoxins in your urine and antibody production against mycotoxins in your blood. We can also look for the presence of other biotoxins that are released from bacteria or viruses that can mimic mold toxicity.

READ MORE: Exposed To Mold? Exactly How To Get Mold Toxicity Testing To Find Out For Sure

How to treat mold rash

In conventional medicine, the standard approach to treating mold rash is with various prescription and over-the-counter medications like antibiotics, antihistamines, hydrocortisone cream, nasal corticosteroids, or in some cases, immunotherapy. While these can sometimes be helpful in soothing mold rash, they aren’t addressing the root cause and can come with their own set of side effects.

Instead, a functional medicine approach aims to identify and address the root cause while supporting our body’s own healing abilities in the meantime. Here are some of the best natural ways to overcome mold rash.

1. Support your skin barrier

Rashes can be uncomfortable, so it’s important to bring in tools that work to repair your skin barrier and soothe the painful, itchy symptoms. Swap out as many skincare products as possible for non-toxic, fragrance free versions and be extra gentle with your skin by avoiding harsh exfoliators and moisturizing regularly. 

2. Manage humidity

Mold thrives in humid environments. Start by assessing the humidity levels in your house and aim for under 50% with dehumidifiers to fight mold growth.

3. Spend time in the sun

Direct sun exposure has been shown to raise MSH levels, a hormone that is often low when you have mold toxicity. (4, 5) I ask my clients to get at least 20 minutes of sunshine each day (60 is ideal) depending on where they live and their skin tone.

4. Bring in targeted supplements

Depending on the root cause of your mold rash, there can be a variety of beneficial supplements that you can add into your routine for inflammation and immune system support. However, these supplements have been found to help encourage detoxification from mold mycotoxins.

• Binders: Binders are naturally-occurring minerals that bind to mycotoxins in your system and help your body remove them. My favorite types are zeolite and activated charcoal.
• Glutathione: Glutathione is often referred to as the “master antioxidant” because it increases your body’s production of other antioxidants. When you’re exposed to mold, it can impact your glutathione levels and sabotage your body’s defense against oxidation and free radical damage. (6)
• NAD+: This coenzyme lives in every cell of your body and is responsible for helping repair damaged DNA and supporting general cellular health. You can supplement with a specific type of B3, called nicotinamide riboside, to support NAD+ levels and your cells’ ability to detox from mold.

SHOP: With so many brands on the market, it can be difficult to track down the highest quality versions of each of these supplements. That’s why I put together all of my favorite herbs and supplements for mold healing into my Mold Collection here.

5. Sweat more

Whether it is through exercise or an infrared sauna session, sweating is one of the main ways your body gets rid of toxins like heavy metals and mycotoxins. While more research needs to be done on sweating and mycotoxins, early studies have shown that regular sauna sessions in combination with other therapies were able to significantly reduce mycotoxin levels and ease mold toxicity symptoms. (7)

When should you see a doctor?

With any new rash, you should seek out care pretty immediately if it doesn’t get better within 24-48 hours. However, if it looks like it is spreading and is accompanied by shortness of breath, swelling, fainting, or dizziness, you should seek out medical attention immediately. You may need more conventional medical intervention before working with a functional medicine practitioner for more long-term support.

LISTEN: Parasites, Mold & Medical Gaslighting: What’s Really Behind You Not Thriving | Kim Rogers

Seeking help from a functional medicine expert

Ultimately, a mold rash is typically more than just a topical problem. It is your skin’s way of signaling to you that something is not right and that there are larger dysfunctions that need to be addressed. From chronic inflammation and immune system dysregulation to irritation and microbiome dysbiosis, there are many ways that mold exposure can impact your overall health. A rash is simply your body’s outward manifestation that something needs addressed. In my telehealth functional medicine clinic we specialize in identifying mold exposure and tailoring comprehensive, personalized protocols to detox from mold and support your body’s natural ability to heal from the inside out.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe. 

Photo: Unsplash.com

Sources

•  Dokoshi, T., Chen, Y., Cavagnero, K. J., Rahman, G., Hakim, D., Brinton, S., Schwarz, H., Brown, E. A., O’Neill, A., Nakamura, Y., Li, F., Salzman, N. H., Knight, R., & Gallo, R. L. (2024). Dermal injury drives a skin to gut axis that disrupts the intestinal microbiome and intestinal immune homeostasis in mice. Nature communications, 15(1), 3009. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47072-3
• Clark, D. A., & Coker, R. (1998). Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology, 30(3), 293–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1357-2725(97)00128-3
• Carow, B., & Rottenberg, M. E. (2014). SOCS3, a Major Regulator of Infection and Inflammation. Frontiers in immunology, 5, 58. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2014.00058
• Mead M. N. (2008). Benefits of sunlight: a bright spot for human health. Environmental health perspectives, 116(4), A160–A167. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.116-a160
• Shoemaker, R. C., & House, D. E. (2005). A time-series study of sick building syndrome: Chronic, biotoxin-associated illness from exposure to water-damaged buildings. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 27(1), 29–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2004.07.005
• Guilford, F. T., & Hope, J. (2014). Deficient glutathione in the pathophysiology of mycotoxin-related illness. Toxins, 6(2), 608–623. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins6020608
• Rea, W. J., Pan, Y., & Griffiths, B. (2009). The treatment of patients with mycotoxin-induced disease. Toxicology and industrial health, 25(9-10), 711–714. https://doi.org/10.1177/0748233709348281