How Hope the Mold Dog Helped Solve Our 3-Year Health Mystery
For three exhausting years, our family battled unexplained illnesses that no doctor could definitively diagnose. Fatigue, nasal congestion, headaches, bloody noses, rashes, hives, insomnia, and other mysterious symptoms became a part of our daily lives. Despite countless visits to medical professionals, the prevailing advice was always, “give it time.” But deep down, we knew something wasn’t right. Could we be experiencing mold exposure symptoms?
I proceeded to have my deviated septum surgically fixed because I thought that could be the main cause of all my symptoms. Yes, the chronic sinus infections stopped, and my breathing improved after about two weeks post surgery. But around a month later the nasal congestion continued and the swelling and inflammation inside of my nose got worse. That’s when I started to suspect mold in our home might be the actual root cause.
Another reason I suspected mold exposure is because we went to visit Family out of state for a week. During that trip, I suddenly realized we felt so much better there! We slept without nasal congestion through the night, and no nose bleeds or headaches.
Then a quick online search led us to Hope the Mold Dog, and that’s where our journey to recovery truly began. If you’re dealing with unexplained health issues, or suspect mold in your home, our experience might just help you take the next step towards answers.
Jump ahead to:
The Health Risks of Mold Exposure
Mold can be a silent and dangerous invader. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold exposure can cause a variety of health issues, including:
- Respiratory problems: Wheezing, coughing, and asthma flare-ups.
- Allergic reactions: Sneezing, skin rashes, hives, and irritated eyes.
- Neurological effects: Headaches, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss.
- Fatigue and weakness: Persistent tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
- More severe reactions: In rare cases, mold exposure can lead to serious infections in individuals with compromised immune systems.
The more we learned about mold, the more convinced we became that it was affecting our family’s health. So it was time to act.
Finding Hope (Literally)
After an online search, we discovered Hope the Mold Dog and her handler, Lindsay. From the first interaction, Lindsay’s professionalism and expertise were evident. She explained what to expect during the appointment and even provided detailed instructions on how to prepare. Since we have a dog, we removed his belongings and made sure our home was ready for Hope’s inspection. My husband took our kids and dog out of the house for a few hours while Lindsay and Hope got to work.
The Inspection Process
On the day of the appointment, Lindsay arrived promptly with Hope, a highly trained mold detection dog. She greeted me and handed over a helpful guide on preventing mold and water damage in our home. Then, we started with an exterior walk-around, where Lindsay immediately identified problem areas around our windows that had escaped my notice. Her keen eye and practical advice were already making a difference.
Inside the house, we conducted a walkthrough to familiarize Lindsay with our space. She asked me detailed questions about various areas and I pointed out the areas where we previously had a leak and/or areas I suspected. Once that preliminary inspection was complete, it was time for Hope to do her inspection.
(Since the previous owners had many dogs and cats, we assumed these water stains in the above photo were from their food and water bowls being against it. That’s where the bowls were when we toured this house, so it was an assumption we should have looked into further. Now we know to always hire a mold inspector before purchasing a home, even a new build! As a matter of fact, numerous families have reached out to me saying they are dealing with the same situation in their new build. It’s incredibly sad and more common than we realize.)
Hope’s Amazing Work
I sat quietly on the couch while Hope went room to room, sniffing out potential mold hotspots. Each time she alerted Lindsay to an area of concern, Lindsay marked it with blue tape. Once Hope finished her inspection, Lindsay looked deeper into each flagged area. Her findings were both shocking and eye-opening:
- Bathrooms: Hope detected mold behind the toilets, hidden due to a notch cut in the tank.
- Shower: Lindsay discovered that our shower bench and lower tiles were holding water, creating the perfect environment for mold.
- Kitchen: The most surprising discovery was significant mold hidden behind our kitchen cabinets and dishwasher. Lindsay used her tools to confirm the presence of mold, and when she showed me, I was horrified by the extent of the damage.
Without Hope and Lindsay, we would never have known about these issues!
Taking Action
Lindsay recommended swabbing the mold to identify the specific type and working with a professional mold remediation company to address the problem areas. We agreed to do the swab, which was an extra cost, but the pricing was affordable. A few days later, the results came back confirming the mold was Chaetomium at 44,000, which falls in the “very heavy” range. I felt devastated, yet relieved to finally have answers.
She then recommended we hire a mold remediation company to come in and seal off the kitchen area and safely remove the mold. She also provided invaluable tips on preventing future mold growth, from improving ventilation to addressing weak points in our home’s exterior.
She also told me about her husband’s sister company called, Home Safe Mold Inspectors of NWA. They are a certified and insured mold inspection company and they use mold inspection equipment such as infrared cameras in addition to air sampling, bio-tape, and swab tests. They are able to drill holes (the size of a straw) in the walls and use a camera to look inside for further inspection. We are looking into booking their services next as we have a few more areas that may need further inspection.
Because they are sister companies, they offer a comprehensive inspection with both teams including Hope the Mold Dog and Home Safe Mold Inspectors of NWA. You can simply contact one or the other and let them know that you’re interested in both services.
A Video of our Experience
Here is a video of our experience during the mold inspection process so you can see how it works.
What Tests Can Doctors Perform for Mold Exposure?
If you suspect mold exposure is affecting your health, medical tests can help determine its impact and if you’re actually experiencing mold symptoms. Here are the key tests and what you should know:
- Allergy Testing: Includes skin prick tests or blood IgE tests to identify allergic reactions to mold spores.
- Mycotoxin Testing: Urine or blood tests can detect toxic substances produced by mold. These are often ordered by environmental or functional medicine specialists.
- Immune and Inflammatory Response Tests: Tests like C4a, TGF-β1, VEGF, and MMP-9 measure immune system overactivation and inflammation related to mold exposure.
- Respiratory Function Tests: Spirometry can assess lung function if mold exposure has aggravated respiratory issues.
- Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) Testing: Specialized panels evaluate genetic markers, neurotoxin levels, and immune dysregulation linked to mold exposure.
What Type of Doctor Should You See?
Depending on your symptoms, the following specialists can help:
- Allergist/Immunologist: Ideal for diagnosing mold allergies and immune reactions.
- Pulmonologist: Focuses on respiratory issues like asthma exacerbated by mold.
- Environmental Medicine Specialist: Experts in toxic environmental exposures, including mold.
- Functional or Integrative Medicine Doctor: Often specialize in mycotoxin testing and mold-related illness treatment.
- Infectious Disease Specialist: Addresses mold-related infections such as aspergillosis.
- ENT Specialist (Ear, Nose, and Throat): Treats sinus infections and nasal issues caused by mold exposure.
Insurance and Mold Testing
- Allergy and Respiratory Tests: Typically covered by insurance if deemed medically necessary.
- Mycotoxin Tests: Often considered “experimental” and may not be covered, with out-of-pocket costs ranging from $300 to $700.
- Specialist Visits: Coverage varies; confirm with your insurance provider beforehand.
What We Learned
Hiring a mold detection expert like Lindsay and Hope was the best decision we’ve made for our family’s health and well-being. In just one appointment, we gained more insights than months of independent research and advice from our home inspector. Moving forward, we’ve resolved to prioritize mold inspections, especially if we ever buy another home. In the meantime, we are awaiting an estimate from a local mold remediation company called Paul Davis Restoration.
While we wait for the estimate, I picked up this plastic sheeting and this extra wide tape to tape off the cabinets and countertops where the mold is present in our kitchen cabinets. Below is how it looks after sealing the cabinets with the thick plastic sheeting that Lindsay recommended.
She also suggested that if homeowners suspect they have mold, there is an ERMI test that can be done before hiring a mold inspection company just to be sure. Here is the link to that ERMI test.
Could Mold Be Affecting You?
If you’re dealing with strange symptoms or suspect mold in your home, don’t wait. Here are some signs that you may need a mold inspection:
- Persistent respiratory or allergy-like symptoms that don’t improve.
- Musty odors in your home.
- Visible signs of water damage or staining.
- Peeling paint or wallpaper.
- Chronic fatigue, nose bleeds, headaches, sinus infections, runny nose, insomnia, mood swings.
Hiring a professional like Lindsay and Hope the Mold Dog can uncover hidden mold and provide you with the answers you need to protect your health and home.
Final Thoughts
Our journey to uncover the source of our mysterious illnesses wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Thanks to Lindsay and Hope, we’re on the path to a healthier, mold-free home. If you’re struggling with unexplained health issues, consider taking a closer look at your environment. Mold might be the culprit, and help, like a dedicated mold detection dog, is just a call away.
Share Your Story
Are you experiencing strange symptoms or have you dealt with this type of situation before? Please share your experience in the comments below. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have as well. Together, we can spread awareness about the dangers of mold and help others take back control of their health and homes.
Be sure to stay tuned as I document the entire mold remediation process. Check back here for a new blog post with details soon!
