There could be a silent culprit if the clinical symptoms didn’t improve, even after receiving the antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. Lyme disease can cause chronic inflammation, resulting in musculoskeletal pain, facial nerve paralysis, fatigue, disturbances in sleep, etc.
Mold illness can deteriorate an individual’s health. In this blog, we will explore together how mold and Lyme disease are related.
What is a mold illness/mold toxicity?
Mold illness occurs when an individual is exposed to mold toxins. Black molds can grow in indoor areas, such as bathrooms, basements, etc. When mold spores grow, it releases mycotoxins. When these mycotoxins are inhaled or ingested, it can affect the health of an individual.
The symptoms of mold illness can include
- Fatigue
- Respiratory issues
- Brain fog
- Headaches
- Mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, etc
- Weight gain
- Sinusitis
What are the clinical symptoms of Lyme disease?
In the early stage of infection, skin rashes, called erythema migrans can occur. The rashes can appear as concentric rings, in bull’s eye pattern (size > 2 inches). The rashes can last for several days.
Systemic symptoms can appear in Lyme disease, which include:
- Cognitive impairment
- Cardiovascular problems
- Meningitis
- Swelling of knees
- Tingling sensation
What are the diagnostic tests conducted to confirm mold illness?
To confirm the diagnosis, a tissue sample can be obtained through biopsy. A skin prick test can be conducted that exposes the body to a small amount of allergens. The site will be wiped with the alcohol.
A lancet can be used to prick the skin which is followed by the exposure to allergens. The reactions can occur within 15 minutes of exposure that includes discoloration of the skin, raised spots, etc. In blood test, minimal amount of blood can be withdrawn from the body, using a needle. The samples will be sent to the laboratory, that measures the amount of IgE in the blood.
What are the treatment options for mold illness in Lyme disease patients?
The initial treatment strategy is to eliminate the mold exposure from workplaces or home. It is important to ensure that Lyme disease patients live in a mold-free environment. Agents, like cholestyramine, bentonite, Welchol, etc can be used to reduce the signs of inflammation.
Once the mold infection settles down, the treatment must begin for Lyme disease. Both Lyme disease and mold illness are associated with severe inflammation. Focusing on an anti-inflammatory diet can help manage the clinical symptoms.
Lyme disease can predispose an individual to several mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, etc. Hence, it is important to provide mental support to the patients during the treatment journey.
Oral administration of antibiotics are prescribed that can alleviate the symptoms. Vitamins and minerals can also be administered to correct the deficiencies that promote healing.
What is the difference between persistent Lyme symptoms and mold toxicity?
Both mold and Lyme disease share similar symptoms that create a dilemma in diagnosis. An effective treatment can be recommended by understanding their differences. The symptoms of Lyme disease can become severe, especially in the case of an existing infection or stress.
Environmental sensitivity is one of the important differences. Individuals affected by mold often find some relief in the absence of exposure, but the Lyme disease symptoms will not depend on location.
Testing on diagnosis is also different. The diagnosis of Lyme disease is usually established by using the Western blot or ELISA. Urine mycotoxin, visual contrast sensitivity (VCS), and CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome), etc are used as indicators for mold illness. The treatment approach should be individualized in order to eliminate the symptoms in the long-term perspective.
Conclusion
It is crucial to understand the link between mold and Lyme disease, particularly for patients who experience persistent symptoms even after antibiotic treatment.
Both the conditions can lead to chronic inflammation and immune system dysfunction. Clinical assessment and laboratory tests play an important role in detecting the underlying mold illness in patients with Lyme disease. Hence, it is important to address both the conditions that offers long-term recovery.
References
- How Are Mold Illness and Lyme Disease Related? [Internet]. Global Lyme Alliance; 2023 Nov 2 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.globallymealliance.org/blog/how-are-mold-illness-and-lyme-disease-related
- Bay Area Lyme Foundation. The Connection Between Mold Illness and Lyme Disease [Internet]. Bay Area Lyme Foundation; 2020 Oct 29 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.bayarealyme.org/blog/the-connection-between-mold-illness-and-lyme-disease/
- Black Mold Exposure: Symptoms, Risks & Treatment [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic; [updated unknown] [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24862-black-mold
- Marcum L. Dealing with Lyme disease and mold illness at the same time [Internet]. LymeDisease.org; 2017 Jul 17 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.lymedisease.org/patel-lyme-mold/
