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Mold Illness/CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) testing and management
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items These are the things I use as someone with mold illness/CIRS to manage mold exposure, prevent water damage, manage my symptoms, test myself for mold, and test my environment. *not medical advice*
Sections
5
Testing for Mold
Cleaning with Mold Illness
Managing Humidity & Preventing Water Damage
Supplements for Support
My Active Treatment Plan
Testing for Mold
This is the mycotoxin test my second functional doctor had me do (she said the first one was from a lab that's not reliable). It's a urine test, and you can self-order.
RealTime Laboratories: Mycotoxin Mold Testing Kits
This is the urine mycotoxin test my first practitioner ordered for me, but my second doctor seemed to think this test wasn't reliable. There's a lot of debate about it.
Mycotoxins Test by Vibrant Wellness - Learn More
If we hadn't bought this moisture meter, we never would have discovered that we had severe hidden leaks in our apartment that lead to toxic mold growth.
Pinless Moisture Meter
I used several of these, and while they're not very good at detecting whether you have mold *in general* they're the cheapest way I know of to test visible mold patches to find out what kind of mold it is and confirm whether it really is mold, or som...
Mold Armor Test Kit
One of the cheapest ways to test your body for mold exposure. It looks sketchy, but it's legit. It's used by practitioners, the military, and has a lot of research behind it.
VCSTest.com: Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) Test
More affordable agar plates, but without the instructions that come with the EC3 plates.
Agar Plates/Petri Dishes
A relatively inexpensive scope to look inside walls, vents, etc.
Endoscope Camera with Light for iPhone
Another tool for detecting hidden water leaks. Really out here becoming our own home inspectors.
Thermal Imaging Camera
Using petri dishes is a relatively affordable way to do an initial screening of your home. This kit comes with good instructions about how to interpret the results. This test is very limited though.
EC3 Agar Plates/Petri dishes
This is the most commonly used version of the mold dust test.
ERMI Mold Test – Envirobiomics
This is the most affordable version of a mold dust test. I've ordered this one. It has its limitations, and only tests for 5 types of mold - the ones that are considered the most dangerous. There's a lot of debate about whether it's reliable for this...
HERTSMI-2 – Envirobiomics
Cleaning with Mold Illness
This is the concentrated version of the EC3 formula, so it's an easy way to get more bang for your buck. Just follow the instructions to dilute for home use.
EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate
We use EC3 wipes around the home to reduce the mold in our environment.
EC3 Wipes
We add this to our laundry to prevent mold spore and mycotoxin build up. It's impossible to 100% avoid all mold, so this helps if you're really sensitive.
EC3 Laundry Additive
Swiffer is a moldy girl's best friend, ok?
Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit, (1 Mop Kit, 10 Pad Refills)
Just a bucket for soapy water to damp-wipe walls.
Sterilite 10 Qt. Spout Pail Classic Titanium
This works like MAGIC to remove dust, I can't believe I didn't find this sooner.
Scrub Daddy Damp Duster 1ct - Silver
For an environmental cleaning, part of the process is damp wiping walls with soapy water and a microfiber cloth, then throwing away the cloth and getting a new one every ten feet.
Platinum Series Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Microfiber Detailing Towel, 40 Pack, Yellow
These are great for dusting walls (yes, you need to dust your walls).
Swiffer Duster Heavy Duty Starter Kit with 2 Refills
Dry swiffer cloths are very popular in the mold illness community. Very effective at managing dust and mold.
Swiffer Sweeper Dry Pad Refills, Unscented, 32 Count
Managing Humidity & Preventing Water Damage
Put these in closets and the laundry room to prevent humidity.
DampRid Fresh Scent Hanging Moisture Absorbers, 3 Count
Under-sink drip trays are SO IMPORTANT.
Livhil Under Sink Mat for Kitchen Waterproof, 34"x 22" Silicone Sink Mat Cabinet Liner for Bathroom, Under Sink Mat with Raised Edge, Under Sink Drip Tray Protector
I put these under the sinks, the dishwasher, the washer, toilets, etc. An alarm will go off if it senses water so you can stop the leak early.
Govee Water Leak Detectors
This mat isn't as good as the other one, but it has more sizes.
Under Sink Mat
Supplements for Support
My preferred electrolyte drink to replenish my minerals, which are depleted by mold exposure.
Get a discount at Drink LMNT, Inc.
My preferred magnesium supplement.
Codeage Liposomal Magnesium L-Threonate Supplement Magtein Magnesium Threonate -- 90 Capsules
Chronic mold exposure can cause a lot of liver, gallbladder, and digestive issues. I've found this HCL supplement EXTREMELY helpful to manage those symptoms.
Doctor's Best Betaine HCl Pepsin & Gentian Bitters -- 360 Capsules
My practitioner stressed the need for more potassium in my diet. This was my pick for a supplement.
NOW Potassium Chloride Powder -- 8 oz
Unfortunately, I've relied on liquid melatonin to get to sleep for a long time now - but it works! I have a melatonin deficiency.
Vitacost Melatonin Liquid -- 3 mg per serving - 2 fl oz
All my doctors have strongly recommended castor oil packs to help detox and support my liver. Here's my castor oil pick.
Heritage Store Organic Castor Oil -- 16 fl oz
The affordable wool flannel for castor oil packs.
Heritage Store Wool Flannel -- 1 Cloth
I'm supposed to do epsom salt baths to help detox, increase magnesium levels, and reduce herx reactions. I've heard that these flakes can be more absorbable, but I haven't tried them yet.
NOW Solutions Magnesium Flakes -- 54 oz
Epsom salt for detoxing, increasing magnesium levels, and reducing herx reactions.
Equate Epsom Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, 128 oz (8lb), Unscented
Dry brushing to support lymphatic drainage.
Earth Therapeutics Tampico Vegetable Fiber Skin Brush -- 1 Brush
Gotta get those trace minerals too.
Trace Minerals Research ConcenTrace® Trace Mineral Drops -- 2 fl oz
Unfortunately I have an MTHFR gene mutation that predisposes me to mold illness. Methylfolate is a vital supplement.
Superior Source Methylfolate -- 1000 mcg - 60 MicroLingual Tablets
Charcoal is a popular binder, which is critical to the mold treatment process. This one's affordable.
Vitacost Activated Charcoal -- 260 mg - 90 Capsules
This is the brain retraining program my doctor recommended. I was skeptical, but I think there's something to it. Mold really freaks out your nervous system!
Primal Trust | Brain Retraining For Chronic Illness & Trauma Recovery
My Active Treatment Plan
My doctor had me take 500mg, 2x a day, for 5 days liposomal glutathione before taking my urine mycotoxin test. This is a process known as provocation and increases the accuracy of the test, because the glutathione helps your body detox the mycotoxins...
Codeage Liposomal Glutathione Supplement 500 mg Setria L Glutathione Reduced -- 60 Capsules
I'm to take 1 drop 3x a day. Gradually increased by 1 drop every 3-4 days up to 5 drops 3x a day.
Biocidin® Liquid - Broad-Spectrum Liquid Formula
I was to put 1-2 pumps into a sinus rinse 2-4x a day in distilled water.
Biocidin®LSF - Broad-Spectrum Liposomal Formula
I was to take 1 capsule 3x a day 1 hour apart from food, supplements, and meds.
GI Detox®+ - Zeolite (G-PUR®), Charcoal & Herbal Formula
I was to take 2 caps 2x a day.
NOW Saccharomyces Boulardii -- 5 billion CFU - 60 Veg Capsules