Connection Between Chronic Lyme Disease and Mold Illness

Chronic Lyme disease and mold illness can severely harm the body, affecting every system and function. Both of these diseases resemble one another with overlapping symptoms and can be challenging to diagnose and treat.

While Lyme disease is transmitted through ticks, mold illness can occur because of exposure to high levels of mold in a house, building, school, office, or any other place where a person spends a significant amount of time.

Recent studies show a clear link between Lyme disease and mold exposure. They often occur together and present with similar symptoms, frequently mimicking the neurological signs of autism. Exposure to mold is a potential concern for people suffering from Lyme disease.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is a tick-borne bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is a spirochete or spiral bacterium belonging to the genus Borrelia.

Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks or deer ticks. The infected tick must stick to the human body for 36-48 hours to infect its host. Most Lyme infections are transmitted by immature ticks that are very small, and they typically attach to hard-to-see areas such as armpits, scalp, and groin.

The most common sign of Lyme infection is an expanding red rash, known as erythema migrans, which appears at the site of a tick bite. Approximately 70% to 80% of infected people develop the rash, which is typically neither painful nor itchy.

Lyme disease can affect any organ in the body, such as the heart, brain, nervous system, muscles, and joints. Lyme disease is also called “The Great Imitator” because its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases.

Lyme disease is the most commonly occurring vector-borne illness in North America and Europe. It is also widely found in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Incidences of infection are higher among children between 5 and 15 years old and in adults older than 50 years.

Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease

The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease typically appear in stages, but sometimes, the symptoms can overlap.

Early-stage signs and symptoms of Lyme disease

The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease can occur within 3-30 days after a person has been infected and include:

Rash – erythema migrans: Typically, about 3-30 days after an infected tick bite, an expanding red rash develops that appears clear in the center, forming a bull's eye pattern. The rash expands slowly over a few days and can spread to about 12 inches across. It’s typically not itchy or painful but might feel warm to the touch.
Other symptoms: Fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headaches, neck stiffness, and swollen lymph nodes can accompany the rash.

Later-stage signs and symptoms of Lyme disease

When Lyme disease is left untreated, new signs and symptoms begin to appear during the following weeks or months. These symptoms include:

Eye inflammation
Heart problems such as an irregular heartbeat
Joint pain
Liver inflammation
Muscle pain
Neurological problems
Restless sleep
Severe fatigue

Diagnosis of Lyme disease

Physical examination: This is the most common way to diagnose Lyme disease by searching for a tick bite and rash.
The medical history and history of exposure to ticks are collected by the physician.
Lab tests: Lab tests are used to identify antibodies to the bacteria and can help confirm or rule out the diagnosis.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test: This test is most often used to detect Lyme disease. The ELISA test can detect antibodies to B. burgdorferi. But it may sometimes provide false-positive results and cannot be used as the sole basis of diagnosis.
Western blot: If the ELISA test is positive, this test is typically performed to confirm the diagnosis. In this two-step approach, the western blot detects antibodies to several proteins of B. burgdorferi.

Treatment of Lyme disease

Antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease. In general, recovery will be faster and more assured if Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated early.

Oral antibiotics: Oral antibiotics are the standard treatment for early-stage Lyme disease. These usually include doxycycline for adults and children older than 8 years. Amoxicillin or cefuroxime is administered to older adults, younger children, and pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Intravenous antibiotics: If the Lyme disease involves the central nervous system, the doctor might recommend treatment with an intravenous antibiotic for 14-28 days. This is effective in eliminating infection, although it may take some time for the patient to recover from the symptoms.

What is chronic Lyme disease?

Chronic Lyme disease occurs when a person who has been treated with antibiotics continues to experience symptoms of Lyme disease, which may last for months or years after the tick bite. Approximately about 10%-20% of people who have been treated with antibiotics have disease symptoms even after they have completed the treatment. This condition is also known as post-Lyme disease syndrome or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.

Very often, patients with chronic Lyme disease are misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and various psychiatric illnesses. Misdiagnosis with other diseases may cause delays in the correct diagnosis and treatment, and as a result, the underlying infection progresses unhindered. Though the clinical features vary, death occurs very rarely.

Symptoms of chronic Lyme disease

People with chronic Lyme disease have persistent symptoms, which can include:

Cognitive dysfunction
Decreased ability to concentrate
Decreased short-term memory
Facial palsy
Fatigue
Irregular heartbeat
Joint and/or muscle aches
Liver inflammation
Neuropathy
Pain
Restless sleep or trouble sleeping
Speech problems
Swelling or pain in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and other large joints

Prevention of Lyme disease

Taking the following precautions can reduce the likelihood of getting Lyme disease and thus developing chronic Lyme disease:

Using insect repellant on clothing, shoes, and exposed skin while walking in wooded or grassy areas where ticks live
Checking for ticks after coming from the outdoors
Check pets for ticks
Showering soon after coming from the outdoors
Consult the doctor early if a fever or rash develops

What is a mold illness?

Mold illness is caused by exposure to mold spores and mold biotoxins called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins enter the human body by inhaling and swallowing them or through skin absorption and can cause severe health consequences. Mold illness is often caused in people with weakened immune systems who are exposed to high levels of mold growth in water-damaged buildings, making them more susceptible to the toxic effects of mold.

Mold illness, also known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), is different from mold allergy. Mold allergy is a short-term immune response to exposure to a particular type of mold. Mold illness occurs because of chronic exposure to mold growth when a person’s immune system overreacts while breathing mold spores in enclosed, water-damaged areas, causing widespread inflammation in the body. People with a suppressed immune system or lung disease may be more susceptible to fungal infections.

Mold spores enter indoors through open doors, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems and grow where there is excess moisture, such as in roofs, windows, or pipes. If a large mold infestation is present in the house or building, one can usually see or smell it.

For people who are very sensitive, mold allergies can cause symptoms like coughing, itchy eyes, wheezing, or other symptoms. In some people, a mold allergy is linked to asthma, and exposure causes restricted breathing. Continued mold exposure can lead to neurological symptoms that mimic neurological diseases such as movement disorders, pain syndromes, dementia, and so on.

Signs and symptoms of mold illness:

Symptoms of mold illness include:

Abdominal pain
Brain fog
Chest tightness
Chronic bronchitis and sinus infections
Constant headaches
Coughing
Diarrhea
Dry and scaly skin
Fatigue
Impaired memory
Increased urination
Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
Mood swings, depression, and anxiety
Mycotoxicosis
Neurological symptoms
Runny or stuffy nose
Sexual dysfunction
Shortness of breath
Skin rashes and sores
Sneezing
Vertigo
Vomiting
Watery eyes
Weakness
Weight and hair loss

Predisposing factors for mold illness

A weakened immune system
Autoimmune illness
Family history of allergies
Living in a high-humidity house or building
Living in homes or buildings with excess moisture
Working or living in a building that has poor ventilation
Working or living in an environment that has leaky pipes and has been flooded or otherwise exposed to mold

Diagnosis of mold illness

Mold illness can be diagnosed by the following tests:

Skin prick test: This test is performed by using diluted amounts of suspected allergens, such as mold. During the test, the allergen is applied to the skin of the arm or back using tiny punctures. If the person is allergic, they would develop a reaction or a raised bump at the test location on the skin.

Blood test: A blood test, known as the radioallergosorbent test, is performed to measure the immune system’s response to mold by measuring the number of certain antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) present in the bloodstream. A blood sample is sent to the laboratory, where it is tested for evidence of sensitivity to specific types of mold.

Treatment of mold illnesses

Antihistamines
Decongestant nasal spray
Immunotherapy
Montelukast
Nasal corticosteroids
Nasal lavage
Oral decongestants

Mold illness cannot be completely cured if the patient continues to be exposed to mold infestations.

Link between Lyme disease and mold illness

Recent studies show that exposure to mold is a potential concern for people suffering from Lyme disease. The symptoms of Lyme disease and mold illness can be quite similar.

Similarity between Lyme disease and mold illness

In both Lyme disease and mold illness, symptoms occur because of a disturbed immune response and the overproduction of signaling molecules called proinflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are proteins produced by the immune system that help regulate immune responses.

Mold illness (CIRS) and Lyme disease can also trigger the same inflammatory pathways. Both Lyme disease and mold illness cause the immune system to overreact.

The presence of Lyme disease or mold illness or both in the body disrupts the immune system, causing inflammation that leads to digestion problems, body pains, respiratory symptoms, neurological symptoms, behavioral changes, and other symptoms.

When the immune system’s responses are used appropriately, they can help kick the immune system into action to fight pathogens and then calm down to restore homeostasis in the body. However, if conditions like Lyme disease and mold disease are present in the body, the person remains inflamed, creating a dysregulated immune system and causing many life-changing symptoms.

How does the combination of Lyme disease and mold illness affect a patient?

Mycotoxins suppress immune system function and are harmful to individuals with Lyme disease. Mold exposure also triggers an inflammatory response that could worsen Lyme-related inflammation.

When a person with Lyme disease is exposed to mold mycotoxins, their bodies weaken significantly. The same thing happens if a person who has a mold illness is exposed to Lyme disease. When a patient has one of these conditions, they become susceptible to the other condition, creating multiple damaging effects on the body.

Mold exposure in unresolved cases of chronic Lyme disease

When a patient has chronic Lyme disease, mold illness needs to be considered. Mold suppresses the immune system, which makes it difficult to completely cure any type of infection. Often, patients with Lyme disease are unable to fight infection unless they address mold exposure.

Lyme symptoms tend to fluctuate in a see-saw pattern, and Lyme patients may have a few good days and then relapse for a couple of weeks. Mold symptoms on the other hand tend to be more consistent, and patients with mold illness may have fatigue and brain fog every day before they are finally treated.

Mold patients may also feel an improvement in symptoms when they move away from the location of mold, such as a workplace or home. However, people who have mold colonization in their sinus cavity or mucosal membranes would not notice any difference.

Common signs and symptoms of chronic Lyme disease and mold illness

Signs and symptoms of mold illness that are very similar to chronic Lyme disease include:

Abdominal pain
Change in appetite
Confusion and disorientation
Cough
Day/night sweats (more sweating at night)
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Excessive thirst
Fatigue and weakness
Headaches
Increased urination and static shocks
Issues with word recall and memory
Joint pain
Lack of focus or concentration
Metallic taste
Mood swings
Morning stiffness
Muscle aches and cramps
Numbness
Red tearing eyes
Shortness of breath
Sinus problems
Skin and light sensitivity
Temperature regulation problems
Tingling, unusual ice pick pain
Tremors

Neurological symptoms of Lyme disease and mold illness

Most people with Lyme disease and mold illness present very similar symptoms. Neurologically, both of these conditions affect the nervous system and cause disorganization, which further leads to a collection of symptoms that mimic autism-like characteristics.

Lyme disease may directly affect the neurological system, whereas the mycotoxins in mold cause neuronal inflammation and activate a part of the immune system that affects the brain and behavior.

Common neurological signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and mold illness include:

Chronic fatigue
Confusion
Depression
Dizziness
Headaches
Learning difficulties
Memory issues
Mood swings
Muscle aches and pains
Numbness and tingling
Poor concentration
Sensitivity to light exposure and physical touch
Temperature regulation issues
Tremors
Weakness

Many people also show signs and symptoms that mimic conditions like:

Alzheimer’s disease
Attention deficit disorder
Bell’s palsy (facial drooping)
Chronic fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Heart conditions
Multiple sclerosis
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Schizophrenia

Effects of Lyme disease and mold on the digestive system

The presence of both Lyme disease and mold illness can have a highly damaging effect on the digestive tract. Mold eventually makes its way to the lower gut mucosa, leading to bowel dysfunction and nutrient absorption issues. Lyme disease could affect the bacterial community, or the microbiome, in the gut and the endothelial lining of the bowel. As the gut is damaged by Lyme disease, mold expands and releases more harmful mycotoxins, causing further damage to the body.

Treatment of Lyme disease and mold illness

If a person is suspected to have both mold illness and Lyme disease, they should be tested for both conditions and given appropriate treatment.

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, whereas for mold, corticosteroids or antihistamines are given to reduce symptoms. Neither of these approaches may completely address the concern, and many people continue to struggle with the unwanted symptoms of these conditions for years.

Treating Lyme disease in the context of mold illness

Eliminating mold exposure: People must stop being exposed to mold. Patients with Lyme must live or work in a mold-free environment. Regularly changing heating and air conditioning filters and using dehumidifiers and air filtration systems will help. If mold content is high, vacate the premises.
Reducing inflammation: Inflammation can be reduced by binding internal mycotoxins. Immunocompromised patients may need to be treated with antiviral medication.
Treating molds in the body.
Treating Lyme and co-infections: Treatment is provided at a slow pace to patients who have genetic defects and a history of mold illness.
Treating MARCoNS (multiple antibiotic-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci): MARCoNS are diagnosed by a nasal swab that is sent to the laboratory for culture. If positive, the patient is treated with BEG (bacitracin/EDTA/gentamycin) or BEC (bacitracin/EDTA/clindamycin) nasal spray.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP): VIP helps to repair the chronic inflammatory damage caused by mold illness and Lyme disease. It reverses the inflammatory pathways, making the patient less reactive to mold in the future.

Conclusion

Exposure to Lyme and mold is a common occurrence, but not all people will be affected. Patients who have a strong immune system may be unaffected, but people with a weakened immune system may become chronically ill.

Lyme disease and mold illnesses can trigger each other and cause further complications. These conditions are highly dangerous when they occur together and affect the airway and immune system.

In conclusion, the harm caused by chronic Lyme disease causes mold illness to be more destructive. Similarly, when a patient has a mold illness, they are further affected by Lyme disease.

It is also possible for a person who has recovered from Lyme disease to have a recurrence of Lyme symptoms after being exposed to a water-damaged building with a mold infestation. Taking appropriate steps to remove mold can prevent complications from chronic Lyme disease.