How to prevent mold toxicity after water leakage or a hurricane

My fellow Florida and Southeast friends, those hurricanes were horrific and brutal, but we have shown the world how strong, united, and supportive we are of each other.

People rode mules to provide life-saving insulin, first responders heroically saved countless lives, neighbors went out of their way to ensure their fellow families were safe, and there are countless stories of unsung heroes we will never know about.

I salute and immensely respect every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dr. Daryl’s Action Plan for Addressing Mold Expose and Protecting Your Family’s Health.

Mold can be an invisible monster that can wreak havoc on your health. I experienced it several years ago, to the point that I could barely talk, and I’m still healing from its brutal long-haul impacts on my health.

It takes a mere 48 hours of dampness from a minor leak, let alone water damage from a hurricane, to make carpet, drywall, furniture, and other porous surfaces a dangerous reservoir of mold, mold fragments, bacteria, and toxic mold by-products.

Whether you experienced a little water leaking from a shower or a full-blown category-five hurricane, below are steps to take as soon as it’s safe to return home and you are out of survival mode. 

(Picture is my boy Brayden helping to clean up post-hurricane.)

Immediate Steps To Take:

1. Take immediate action (when it's safe). 

• Stop the water source immediately (if possible).
• Dry out affected areas: Use fans, dehumidifiers, open windows (if sunny and safe), and air conditioners to dry all wet areas within 24-48 hours.
• Remove water-logged materials: Tear out and discard any porous materials (drywall, carpets, insulation) that have been soaked for over 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. I suggest going at least 1-2 feet past the water-damaged areas since those areas will still be damp and can lead to mold and harmful toxins.
• Use a HEPA air purifier: Run a high-quality HEPA air purifier to help filter airborne mold spores and other contaminants. I use mine year-round to eliminate dust, toxins, odors, pollution, etc. It’s a must if you have cutie doggies like my Sprout and Barley and want to stop your allergies at the source!

2. Assess the mold damage.

• Inspect areas carefully: Look for visible signs of mold (black, green, or white spots) on walls, ceilings, floors, or furniture. Wear a protective mask while doing so.
• Test for mold: If mold is suspected but not visible, consider getting a professional mold inspection. If this isn’t possible, you can use an at-home mold test kit. The gold standard is the ERMI7 test.

3. Clean and remove the mold—safely.

• Use non-toxic mold cleaners: Clean small areas of mold growth with non-toxic products, such as hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or tea tree oil. Did you know that the average household contains 62 toxic chemicals that mainly come from products made to “clean”?! Please read this blog post to learn how to DIY non-toxic home cleaning products.
• Consult with a mold remediation specialist and hire professionals for large areas. 
• For small areas, MAKE SURE to wear protective gear and have all windows opened. Use an N95 mask, gloves, and goggles while cleaning to avoid breathing in mold spores.
• HEPA vacuuming: A HEPA vacuum removes mold spores from floors and carpets.

4. Monitor your symptoms.

• Track symptoms: Common mold exposure symptoms include fatigue, headaches, respiratory issues, brain fog, and skin irritation. Take these symptoms seriously.
• Consult a specialist: If symptoms are severe or persistent, see a mold or CIRS specialist for further testing and personalized treatment. 

Steps everyone should take, regardless of water damage:

1. Breathe safe and pure air.

• HEPA Air Purifiers: (As mentioned above) Use air purifiers to reduce mold spores and eliminate dust, odors, pollution, and other toxins in your home’s air.
• Essential oils: Diffuse anti-fungal essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, or thyme to help disinfect the air. Only use organic, steam-distilled, or cold-pressed oils, and always buy oils in dark bottles to protect against UV rays.
• Maintain a dehumidified environment: Keep indoor humidity below 50% to inhibit mold growth.

2. Detox.

• Detox with an Acid-Kicking Detox Guided Program. A full body, mind, and soul (you also went through a lot of trauma) will be critical for nourishing complete healing. Please review my Detox Programs here.
• Lavishly prioritize an anti-fungal diet: Follow an anti-fungal diet by avoiding sugars, refined grains, alcohol, and yeast-containing foods. Include garlic, coconut oil, and ginger, which have natural anti-fungal properties. You can find delicious and easy-to-make recipes via my Detox Recipes eBooks and blog.
• Hydrate. A well-hydrated body can work at optimal levels to naturally detox. To hack and optimize your hydration, use my Ultimate Hydration Elixir.
• Binders: Use binders such as bentonite clay or chlorella to remove mycotoxins. 
• Infrared sauna sessions: Infrared saunas can help sweat out toxins, including mold and mycotoxins. However, you do not want to overdo it if you have recently been exposed to mold, so keep your session to 15 minutes or less. 
• Spore-Based Probiotics: Support restoring your gut balance with high-potency probiotics to stop fungal overgrowth.
• 
  Supplement to boost your body’s ability to defend itself from mold and toxins. If your immune system is down, mold and toxins can easily enter and quickly cause colossal damage to your body and brain. Acid-Kicking Greens give your body 21 strengthening nutrient-dense alkaline superfoods. My new Acid-Kicking Magnesium reduces oxidative stress and mitigates the effects of mold toxicity, and Acid-Kicking Vitamin D supercharges your immune system and happiness levels. Especially during times of trauma, you must always be mindful of supplementing for your mental health. 

3. Prevent Future Mold Growth.

• Fix leaks promptly: Repair and REMEDIATE any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing ASAP.
• Maintain humidity levels: Use a dehumidifier, especially in basements or other moisture-prone areas. 
• Air circulation and ventilation: Ensure this is always happening, especially in problem areas such as bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.

Your home is your sanctuary; make it a healing space for every breath you take!