The concept of Mold Avoidance has become a popular strategy for the broad range of mold sufferers.  It is the subject of a prospective book by Dr. Lisa Petrison,  and briefly reviewed in our section on Resources.  This book would seem to be almost invaluable for persons with more extreme cases of mold illness,  offering insights and experiences on a broad array of relevant topics.  It is hoped that Dr. Petrison succeeds in publishing this book in some accessible format.

The above mentioned prospective book does take the perspective of persons who generally have considerable assets,  enabling them to purchase things,  and travel places not all of us can afford.  For those persons,  'Mold Avoidance' is actually achievable;  go where you don't have a mold problem  (this is not meant to trivialize the problem).  However,  it is likely many persons who suffer some form of mold illness,  including our many migrant farm laborers,  can barely afford life's necessities,  and must do with whatever care and advice they receive in our health system.  This may be the same level of advice your author received from his primary care doctor;  "You're on your own".  It is to be hoped that these poorer residents at least do have access to the internet,  and can access information about mold and its treatment.

For those of us with limited means  (your author went through bankruptcy several years ago,  and lives in a trailer house on social security),  the term 'Mold Avoidance' has a little different meaning.  It is still an excellent goal,  but is not really attainable while one is pursuing the war of sensitivity to mold.  In general,  those of us on limited funds must try to solve our mold problem while continuing to live in the primary source and origin of our problem.  We don't have the luxury of going on a vacation or travelling for several years or several weeks;  this cannot be what 'Mold Avoidance' means to us.

For those of us who must tackle the problem while living within the source of the problem  (our home in most cases),  'Mold Avoidance'  is rather a goal to possibly be achieved in the future.  If/when it is ever achieved,  we would no longer have a mold sensitivity.  We would be completely cured.  In the more likely situation that becoming cured never is attained in the remainder of our lives,  we will be continually testing against real mold events,  and therefore continually experiencing some level of mold toxin in our systems.  There will be no absolute  'Mold Avoidance'.

But for us,  the concept of Mold Avoidance is still valuable;  it's just modified somewhat.  Because in order to deal with our sensitivity to mold,  we must regularly  (not occasionally)  test what we are doing.  We must experiment.  This means we will experience mold attacks.  Our bodies are the final means of measurement.  And in my personal experience,  there is no way to anticipate a mold attack;  and no way to experience a mold attack without receiving mold toxins.  But we want to quickly limit those attacks so that the quantity of mold toxins taken in by our bodies is very limited.  These toxins will then have to be eliminated,  over some period of time,  by our immune system.  Those unfortunate persons who are genetically pre-disposed to mold illnesses  (about 24% of our human population according to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker) will likely need the help of a drug like cholestyramine in ridding the body of these toxins.

Though in the process of becoming sensitive to mold,  our immune system has been compromised somewhat  (and somehow),  we still depend on this system to work if our war against mold is to be successful.  Our immune system must somehow repair itself.  And we must attempt to help the immune system as much as we can.  This is a major part of our mold sensitivity effort;  helping our immune system to recover;  giving it a chance to restore its functionality  (if only a part).

To repeat,  for most of us with acquired mold sensitivity,  we must continually test and experiment.  We are likely to make many mistakes in finding what works for us and what does not.  This means we will continually be experiencing mold attacks in some degree.  Therefore,  as long as we have a problem with mold sensitivity,  we will have some level of its toxins in our system.  Except for maybe a couple of weeks or so,  and only that after we have dealt with mold for some time  (maybe several years).  Most of us may never be completely clear of mold toxins during the rest of our lives.  If/when we really become clear for an extended period of time,  we will no longer have a mold sensitivity problem.

However,  mold sensitivity,  like more extreme mold illnesses,  is an individual experience.  Each of our wars with Mr. Mold needs to be somewhat different,  and we take what advice and experience seems to be of value from others with similar conditions.

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