ATE MOLD BY MISTAKE? HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS.
Accidentally eating moldy bread, fruit, yogurt or other things can happen to anyone. All it takes is a simple distraction and the game is done.
Unfortunately, however, eating mold usually has extremely negative consequences for the human body since its metabolism does not allow for its digestion or elimination.
The reactions triggered by them can be of three types:
- toxic;
- allergic;
- pathogenic.
In the first case, the substances produced by molds trigger the release of molecules that the organism recognizes as “foreign” and which therefore cause reactive processes of varying intensity.
The body then undergoes a process of mold poisoning, the consequences of which become increasingly serious as the accumulated dose increases.
In the second case, molds stimulate some cells to synthesize histamine, an allergenic molecule responsible for numerous organic disorders, such as the following:
- skin redness,
- erythematous forms,
- onset of itching,
- widespread swelling,
- cardiocirculatory collapse.
In the third case, the consequences of eating mold cause pathologies that, if not treated properly, can degenerate and become chronic.
Your body may not trigger these reactions from ingesting mold, but it is possible.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONTACT WITH PATHOGENIC MOLD?
Pathogenic molds are normally harmless and not very infectious, becoming dangerous only if your immune system is weak.
This happens during periods of prolonged convalescence or if you take medications such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants.
In these cases, ingestion of mold can be the cause of the onset of candidiasis, a disease caused by a unicellular fungus (Candida albicans), which is located on the mucous membranes of the mouth (thrush) or of the genital system and in some cases of the intestine.
Even if you suffer from diabetes or if you have taken antibiotic therapy for a long time, you could develop this type of pathology.
MOLD ALLERGY: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION?
If you have a particular hypersensitivity to molds, coming into contact with them you may show reactions such as nasal congestion, eye irritation, allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma.
All these respiratory tract manifestations related to the upper airways can be caused not only by inhalation but also by ingestion of molds.
So whenever you notice that you have any of these symptoms related to contact with contaminated foods, you may have developed a mold allergy.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF INGESTION OF TOXIC MOLD.
Diseases caused by pathogenic molds (mycosis) belong to the category of infections, and are often of an infectious type.
The pathological consequences that these organisms can cause on your body depend mainly on two factors: your general state of health, and the type of development and growth of the mold itself.
Eating mold by mistake has consequences that depend on the ingestion of mycotoxins (fungus toxins).
The production of these mycotoxins is strictly linked to the presence of humidity, a specific environmental pH and temperature.
Remember that their toxic capacity depends on the quantity of spores contained in the mold: in fact, a mycotoxin can be lethal if present in large doses, while the same does not determine harmful effects if present in small quantities.
Mycotoxins ingested with food usually have dangerous effects on the liver (hepatotoxins), the nervous system (neurotoxins) or even the kidney system (nephrotoxins).
In some cases, they can alter cells belonging to the immune system (immunotoxins), compromising all the body's defense reactions.
IS EATING A LITTLE MOLD REALLY THAT HARMFUL?
If you have accidentally ingested a small amount of mold, don’t worry, as in most cases you will have no consequences.
It would be good practice to eliminate moldy parts, both from moist foods such as sauces, fruit or foods with high percentages of water, and from more compact products, such as aged cheeses, sausages or solid vegetables.
The consequences of eating mold become dangerous when ingestion is repeated over time and especially when genera belonging to Aspergillus, Penicillum or Fusarium are introduced.
In these cases, the clinical consequences induced by the ingestion of molds can involve the gastrointestinal system, with manifestations of vomiting and diarrhea, the respiratory system, with allergic rhinitis and congestion of the nose and eyes, or even the renal system, especially if you suffer from kidney stones.
In any case, contact your family doctor immediately so that he can prescribe the appropriate tests.
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