Can Mold Exposure Cause Nausea or Vomiting?

Updated on 10-Dec-2025

Yes, mold and mildew exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress, especially in individuals with mold sensitivities or weakened immune systems.

When mold spores are inhaled or ingested, they can irritate the digestive system and respiratory tract, potentially leading to:

• Nausea from mold exposure
• Stomach cramps or bloating
• Vomiting due to mold toxins
• Dizziness and headaches
• Fatigue or general malaise

Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly known as black mold, is particularly associated with severe symptoms, including vomiting and neurological issues after prolonged exposure.

📌 Important: If you experience mold-related nausea or vomiting and suspect indoor mold exposure, consult a medical professional and schedule a mold inspection.

Can Mold Make You Sick?

Mold can make you sick in various ways. Exposure to indoor mold may cause allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and even neurological symptoms in some individuals.

Common health symptoms from mold include:

• Sneezing, nasal congestion, or coughing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Headaches and dizziness
• Chronic fatigue or brain fog

These symptoms are more pronounced in individuals with:

• Asthma or chronic lung disease
• Allergies to mold spores
• Immunocompromised conditions

🏠 Fact: Mold is a common issue in homes with high humidity or past water damage—especially in Toronto’s older housing stock or homes with basement leaks and poor ventilation.

Mold is growing problem in Canada and It is found commonly at homes in Toronto GTA—it can pose serious health risks if left unchecked.

While mold spores are naturally present in the environment, prolonged exposure to high concentrations indoors can lead to various health problems, ranging from mild allergic reactions to severe respiratory conditions.

Yes, mold exposure can cause nausea and vomiting, especially in individuals who are sensitive to mold or have compromised immune systems.

Ingesting mold spores or being exposed to high levels of airborne mold can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.

These symptoms often occur alongside other reactions such as headaches, dizziness, or respiratory issues.

If you experience these symptoms and suspect mold exposure, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional and address the mold issue in your home immediately.

Who Is Most at Risk from Mold Exposure?

Certain groups are more likely to experience severe reactions from mold exposure, including:

• Infants and young children
• Seniors (65+)
• Asthma patients or people with lung conditions
• People with allergies or skin sensitivities
• Immunocompromised individuals (e.g., chemotherapy patients, transplant recipients)

These groups are also more vulnerable to symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and respiratory distress from mold-related toxins.

How Long Does It Take for Mold to Make You Sick?

The onset of mold-related illness varies based on exposure level, individual sensitivity, and type of mold.

🎯 Individuals with mold allergies may experience instant symptoms, while others may not feel the effects until weeks later, depending on exposure duration and environment.

Can Mold Make You Throw Up?

Yes, in severe or prolonged cases, mold exposure can cause you to throw up. This is often due to inhalation of mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain mold species like Aspergillus or Stachybotrys.

Symptoms that often accompany vomiting due to mold include:

• Intense nausea
• Headaches or lightheadedness
• Abdominal discomfort
• Loss of appetite

These symptoms should not be ignored, especially if they persist after spending time in damp or mold-prone areas.

Can Mold Kill You?

While mold itself rarely causes death, prolonged exposure in high concentrations can lead to life-threatening complications for at-risk groups.

• Black mold toxicity has been linked to neurological damage, memory loss, and systemic infections in rare cases.

• Severe mold-related infections can develop in people with existing respiratory diseases or compromised immune systems.

🧠 Note: Mold should be treated as a serious indoor air quality hazard, not just a cosmetic or smell issue.

How to Identify Mold Before You Get Sick?

Mold often hides behind walls, under carpets, or inside HVAC systems. Recognizing early signs is critical to avoiding mold sickness.

Signs of hidden mold growth include:

• Musty or earthy odors
• Black, green, or white fuzzy patches on walls or ceilings
• Increased humidity indoors
• Allergy-like symptoms when indoors but not outdoors

High-risk mold locations in homes:

• Basements, attics, crawl spaces
• Behind drywall and wallpaper
• Around leaking pipes or under sinks
• Near poorly sealed windows or roofs

🔍 Regular home inspections and professional air testing are key to detecting mold before it affects your health.

Also Read – What Is The Cost of Attic Mold Removal in Toronto

How Much Time It Takes for Mold to Make You Sick?

The impact from being exposed to mold will depend on a few factors. Some symptom can be immediate and other may take days, weeks, months, or years. Although the precise time frame for a health problem cannot always be predicted, you should have a qualified physician evaluate this as soon as possible.

These factors play important role in how quickly you can get infected by mold

• Allergies and sensitivities
• Amount of mold
• Duration of exposure
• Proximity to mold

How to Prevent Mold Growth Indoors?

Preventing mold growth is the best defense against mold-related illness. Mold requires moisture, warmth, and organic material to thrive.

Mold prevention checklist:

✅ Keep humidity levels below 50% using dehumidifiers
✅ Fix leaks immediately (roof, plumbing, basement)
✅ Ensure proper ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms
✅ Clean and dry wet materials within 24 hours
✅ Use mold-resistant paints in damp-prone areas
✅ Regularly inspect basements, attics, and crawlspaces

In Toronto, where winters are cold and homes are tightly sealed, it’s vital to maintain indoor air circulation and reduce condensation.

What Should You Do If Exposed to Mold?

If you’ve experienced symptoms like mold nausea, vomiting, or chronic fatigue, and suspect mold exposure:

1. Leave the affected area to reduce exposure.

2. Schedule a medical check-up for an accurate diagnosis.

3. Contact a certified mold removal expert in Toronto for inspection and remediation.

4. Avoid cleaning mold yourself if the area exceeds 10 sq. feet or if black mold is suspected.

📞 For professional mold inspection and removal in Toronto, contact Ultimate Mold Crew, one of the top-rated local mold remediation services.

Final Thoughts: Can Mold Really Make You Sick or Throw Up?

Yes — mold can cause nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress, and long-term health effects. The severity of symptoms depends on your sensitivity, duration of exposure, and the type of mold present.

Early detection, proper cleanup, and prevention strategies are essential to maintaining a mold-free home — especially in humid or water-damaged homes in Toronto.

People Also Ask

How do you test for mold in your home?

You can test for mold using home test kits, but professional inspection is more accurate. Experts use tools like moisture meters and air quality testing to detect mold growth, even in hidden areas.

What are the long-term health effects of mold exposure?

Long-term exposure to mold can lead to chronic respiratory problems, weakened immune function, and persistent fatigue. In severe cases, it may cause neurological issues like memory loss.

Can mold grow in air conditioning units?

Yes, mold can thrive in air conditioning units due to moisture and dust. Regular cleaning and replacing filters help prevent mold growth and maintain indoor air quality.

What is the difference between mold and mildew?

Mold is usually fuzzy and can be black, green, or red, while mildew is powdery and white or gray. Both can cause health issues, but mold is generally more harmful and harder to eliminate.

How quickly can mold spread in a home?

Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours of water exposure. It spreads rapidly in damp, warm conditions, so addressing leaks or humidity issues quickly is crucial to prevent extensive damage.

Can you stay in a house with mold?

Staying in a house with mold is not safe, especially for sensitive individuals. Short-term exposure can cause allergy symptoms, while prolonged exposure increases the risk of serious health problems.

Sources/References

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24862-black-mold
• https://www.healthline.com/health/mold-in-house
• https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-sick-from-mold-exposure
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/288651
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323419
• https://health.osu.edu/health/general-health/is-mold-making-you-sick
• https://www.webmd.com/lung/can-black-mold-kill-you
• https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/7287/