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The Fashionable Housewife

The Fashionable Housewife

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Lymes Disease, Mold Exposure, Or Both? What is Making Kids Sick Isn’t What You Think

Modified on February 26, 2022 at 6:38 PM

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Lyme Disease is rising in children, but parents must beware: your child’s illness may actually be from mold exposure, according to international mold expert, Michael Rubino, President of All American Restoration and author of The Mold Medic: An Expert’s Guide on Mold Removal.

“Mold exposure and Lyme Disease can be a dangerous combination,” says Rubino.

Lyme disease is  getting more and more prevalent every year. This disease is caused by a bite from an infected tick and begins to develop in stages. Most of the symptoms fit their diagnosis, so they begin treatment. At first, your child may begin to get a little better, but their symptoms never completely go away or may begin to worsen. 

As a society, we look at dozens of causes and triggers for illnesses, but we often forget to look at one of the biggest and most important factors for our health: air quality. When the air we’re breathing, especially in our homes, is contaminated, it can cause a wide range of persistent health problems. One of the largest contributors to poor indoor air quality and adverse health reactions is mold exposure. 

If your child isn’t getting better from treatment for Lyme disease, it may be because their symptoms are stemming from mold exposure. 

About Mold 

Mold spores can be found in every home, just in small amounts. This fungus reproduces by releasing microscopic spores, similar to the seeds of a weed, that ride the wind current right through the front door. With tens of thousands of species of mold already identified, the chances of a mold spore settling inside a home are fairly high if the conditions are right. 

The key is to understand and prevent any opportunities for mold growth. While many of us may think that mold only colonizes a home after a big water leak or in old homes with crumbling foundations, that’s not true. Mold needs very little to survive. With oxygen, food sources, and moisture, these little fungi can thrive anywhere in a home. Leaving a window open and allowing a small piece of carpet to get wet can cause mold growth. All it takes is 24–48 hours. Even brand new homes can succumb to mold growth. 

The issue with dangerous mold growth is that when it colonizes an area, it continues to release more and more spores. Many mold species are also capable of producing microscopic toxins called mycotoxins. These toxins and mold particles decrease the air quality inside the home, and exposure to them can trigger a long list of adverse health reactions. 

Mold Exposure Vs. Lyme Disease 

The difficulty in establishing whether it’s mold exposure or Lyme disease as the cause of the illness is how similar the symptoms are. Both can cause a range of respiratory problems in your child (and you!) including a runny nose, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. They can also cause digestive problems, fatigue, “brain fog,” and neurological issues, among other symptoms. 

The problem with determining between the two is testing. Lyme disease can be tested for by looking for the antibody produced to fight the disease, but it’s still difficult to 100 percent diagnose. It takes weeks for the antibodies to show on a test, and the antibodies could be from a previous infection. As for mold exposure, there are tests to determine if the body is producing antibodies that are associated with an immune response to an allergen (which in this case would be mold). There is also a test to determine if mycotoxins are present in the body, which can also hint at mold exposure. It is not completely indicative, but it offers a good starting point. Testing indoor air quality is the easiest way to determine if mold exposure might be causing symptoms. 

Another indicator to look for during the diagnosis stage is how the symptoms persist. With mold toxicity, symptoms continue day in and day out. When symptoms get worse but then get better, it’s probably not mold exposure. 

Mold Exposure and Lyme Disease

Lyme disease and mold exposure can also work in conjunction with each other, making it even more important to understand the air quality in your home. When there’s an established mold presence inside, you’re inhaling large quantities of spores and toxins every time you take a breath. Your body tags these as invaders, creating a histamine response. Your immune system then ramps up to fight the invaders, but when you’re breathing them in all day, every day, it slowly begins to fall behind and allows more symptoms to emerge. Those with weakened immune systems or still developing ones (like children) are at greater risk because they can’t keep up with the onslaught of foreign particles. The symptoms will continue to persist and progress, keeping the body in a constant state of immunosuppression. 

With an immune system down, a child is more prone to developing other illnesses or experiencing symptoms like those triggered by Lyme disease. Mold exposure and additional illness will work hand-in-hand to create negative health reactions that never seem to want to go away. 

So, Is It Mold Exposure? 

If you think your child may be experiencing symptoms of mold exposure, getting your house tested is your number one priority. You may not think your home could have a mold problem, but it’s much easier than you think. We’re even finding that newly constructed homes are just as likely to have mold in them as homes that are 50 years old because of how they’re currently being built. A good mold inspector will be able to tell you if you have a mold problem, what species are present, if mycotoxins are present, and the sources of the problem. 

If you find mold and your child is experiencing symptoms from exposure, they will persist until the mold problem is resolved. You’ll need a remediation team to come in to treat your home for all contamination. Make sure to thoroughly clean all of your belongings in the home as well, like clothing, couches, appliances, and books; spores and toxins could have landed on them during the period that you had mold and will continue to cause reactions if they’re not dealt with. 

Luckily, mold exposure symptoms are treatable. When the problem at home is gone, doctors can use the mold inspection test results to create a detoxification protocol that will rid the particles from their bodies. Keep in mind that the road to healing may be a long one, but it is an achievable task.

Keeping Your Children Safe 

While air quality may not be front and center in medical news, that doesn’t mean it’s not important. We spend so much time worrying about our kids and trying to keep them safe that sometimes we miss bigger issues, like the air they’re breathing at home. And that’s not our fault! It just happens to be a less-discussed topic in our society. But, it doesn’t have to stay that way. 

Maintaining awareness of air quality in our homes, understanding mold, and knowing how it can affect our health is something we can all work towards to help keep our children healthy. Parenting is hard enough, but it’s even more difficult with a sick child. Make sure their indoor living space is safe and healthy. 

It’s still a good idea to get tested for Lyme Disease if you suspect you might have it because if it’s treated early, you can avoid lifelong chronic conditions that can develop from tick bites.

Buy A Copy of The Mold Medic

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MICHAEL RUBINO is an air quality expert who helps bridge the gap between the air in our homes and its direct impact on our health. Rubino works with over 100 doctors globally to not only raise awareness but also provide solutions to correctly identify and remove the pollutants causing this global health crisis. As President of All American Restoration, Rubino specializes in working with people who are immunocompromised or have acute and sustained reactions to mold exposure and has helped heal over 1,000 families—including celebrities and athletes. He is also a council-certified Mold Remediator by IICRC and ACAC and is a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association. He is the author of The Mold Medic and a contributor to MindBodyGreen. Rubino has been featured on Gwyneth Paltrow’s The goop Podcast and goop’s website, Brandi Glanville’s Unfiltered podcast, Luke Storey, Forbes, USA Today, and Bloom TV, to name a few. He hosts the YouTube series, Mold Talks, where guests include medical experts as well as mold recovery patients, including media icon Atoosa Rubenstein.

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Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on February 26, 2022 at 6:38 PM
Filed Under: Health & Fitness
Tagged With: black mold, Health, health tips, lyme disease, Michael Rubino, mold, mold removal, The Mold Medic, toxic mold

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

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Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

I enjoy homesteading, reading, writing, cooking, baking, crafting, home decorating, Xtend Barre, and of course, fashion!

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𝕊𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕙 | Fashionable Homemaker & Large Family Life
You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
I’m addicted and I just can’t get enough 😂🫣

I’m loving my no -toxic, non-stick cookware from @caraway_home  It’s as beautiful as it is easy to cook with. And it makes my kitchen look prettier too! 💁🏼‍♀️

Want to learn more about why I’m obsessed with these pots and pans? Visit my blog and search CARAWAY! Or scroll through my feed! 🥳

#homemaker #housewifelife #homestyler #momlife
Today was my due date for Dylan. Considering he w Today was my due date for Dylan.

Considering he was my 6th child, it's possible he would have been here by now. It’s been extra hard for me this week. 

Despite my best efforts to be strong and stay positive, I am completely brokenhearted. I’m just being honest. I could pretend I’m fine, but that doesn't do me or anyone else any good to be dishonest about the pain of miscarriage or the grief that comes with losing a child. 

My heart is completely shattered from having an empty womb and an empty nursery. An empty bassinet in the corner and unused tiny newborn outfits, all washed, folded, and ready… for nothing. 

It makes me physically sick to my stomach when I think about it all and I can't even fathom how I got here. How did I get here? 

This isn't how it's supposed to be! I should be holding a newborn right now! It’s so unfair. 

In an instant, my baby was gone and there was nothing I could do to change that. 

It doesn't matter how much time passes or what else happens in life, I will always miss him. My heart with always long for my baby. 

Those who haven't experienced loss tell you that "Don’t worry! Things will get better, just focus on the positive!" but people who actually know this grief and what it actually feels like to lose a baby, won’t tell you that. They know this hard road. They understand that unfortunately you don't just “get over it.” 

The grief doesn't just go away, even if you try to ignore it, it's still there. Like the sun. You don’t have to look at it to know it’s there. You can turn your back on it but it will still warm your skin. 

The grief from losing a child is unbearable. 
It is unpredictable.
It is unforgiving.
It is relentless.
It is all-consuming.
And it completely shatters you when you don’t expect it. 

You don’t get over it. You don’t forget. You simply learn to live with it. And I’m learning to live with it every day. 

It’s been 137 days I’ve had to live without my baby. 

Lord Jesus, please… hold me extra tight tonight. 

#babyloss #babylossawareness #babylosssupport #babylosscommunity #babylosssurvivor #stillbornstillloved #stillbornawareness #stillbirth #miscarriagesupport #miscarriageawareness

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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