All skin problems, be it acne, rosacea, eczema, hyperpigmentation, premature lines and wrinkles, and even more advanced conditions have a root cause. Sometimes that root cause is the person using topical skincare products with the wrong ingredients for their skin. Other extrinsic causes include sun damage and overexposure to environmental pollutants and irritant substances. Internally, the root cause might be due to poor gut health, dysbiosis, or liver dysfunction.

But what happens if a person cleans up their diet, protects their skin from the sun, and takes additional measures to address these factors; yet STILL struggles with skin symptoms? This is when we have to look at the potential root causes that often stay hidden, or go unnoticed in one’s day to day life. One common, overlooked potential cause is fluoride in water. Another that is equally as problematic and may be even more hidden is toxic mold.

Mold exists everywhere–in our homes and offices, in our outdoor environments, in foods we eat, and even inside our bodies. If we maintain a healthy and diverse microbiome, and take measures to make our home and work environments less habitable to toxic mold, it doesn’t have to be problematic. However for many people–especially people who struggle with high stress, chronic illness, or autoimmune disease–that is not the case.

Molds and other fungi produce mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals. Some mycotoxins or mycotoxin derivatives have been found to have useful properties, and are used as antibiotics and other kinds of drugs. Others, however, are the opposite of helpful, and have even been implicated as chemical warfare agents. On people, mycotoxins can cause local skin infections such as athlete’s foot or jock itch. However mycotoxins can cause spread systemically, causing more serious infections and conditions when it enters the body either via the respiratory tract, or through direct contact with the skin.

Toxic mold on the ceiling and wall

In addition to causing local and systemic infections, mold exposure also affects the appearance of the skin. According to mold expert and naturopathic physician, Dr. Jill Crista, mold mycotoxins stop our bodies from making all of our youth-preserving proteins, like keratin and elastin for skin and hair; and actin and myosin for muscles.

Toxic mold prematurely ages the skin.

Mycotoxins can also trigger rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and eczema flares, as well as certain types of acne. If you have persistent skin or health issues check to see if you’ve been exposed to a water-damaged, damp, or a musty smelling building. If you have, mold could be the culprit, and mold treatment could eradicate the problem for good.

Want to learn more about how toxic mold affects the skin, and what you can do about it?

The Appearance of Mold webinar

Dr. Crista is presenting a live webinar called The “Appearance” of Mold to the Nutritional Aesthetics Alliance community on Wednesday, 3/18/2020 at 1pm EDT. The live presentation is free and is open to the public.

Register HERE to attend.

About Dr. Jill Crista:

Break the Mold by Dr Jill Crista

Dr. Jill Crista is a naturopathic doctor, bestselling author, and nationally recognized health educator on mold-related illness. She helps people recover their health after exposure to toxic mold.

Her book, Break The Mold, provides tools for anyone wanting actionable steps to conquer health challenges related to mold exposure.

 

Has your skin or health suffered due to toxic mold exposure?

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Please note:

Only the live webinar presentation is free and open to the public. The recording is available exclusively to Nutritional Aesthetics® Alliance members and Certified Nutritional Aesthetics Practitioner® students.

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