Last month, we introduced you to Radar, the specially trained K-9 with Mold Testers 407. She is able to detect hidden mold inside homes and businesses.
Now, we are taking the story a step further.
What happens after the mold is found and removed? Experts say for some people, the health effects can linger long after the cleanup is over.
Radar looks like a police dog searching for a suspect.
But her target is something that can impact your health and often cannot be seen.
Trained to detect mold, Radar can pinpoint it hidden inside walls, flooring, cabinets and even HVAC systems.
While that may sound impressive, experts say finding mold is only the beginning.
Ariana Thacker says some of the most common symptoms linked to mold exposure include fatigue, brain fog and gastrointestinal issues.
Symptoms that can easily be dismissed, misunderstood or even misinterpreted.
When asked about brain fog and fatigue, and how many people simply assume they are exhausted from everyday life, Thacker said one major warning sign is when symptoms begin after moving into a building or flare up in an environment with known mold.
In other words, your body may be giving you clues based on where you are.
In humid states like Florida, mold can spread quickly after storms and water damage. Experts say it only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold growth to begin.
For Thacker, this issue is personal.
She says hidden mold in a Miami apartment left her struggling with severe fatigue and brain fog before she finally found answers.
Mold was found in her HVAC system.
She moved and began to feel better but symptoms lingered.
At first, she says doctors believed her symptoms were caused by stress or anxiety.
That experience led her to create MoldCo, a virtual clinic focused on mold-related illness.
The company offers at-home lab testing, virtual doctor visits, and treatment plans that can all be done remotely.
But Thacker says no matter what treatment someone receives, addressing the source of the mold is critical.
She says getting out of the environment is one of the most important steps.
And even after the mold is discovered, the health effects may not disappear overnight.
Some people, she says, still struggle to feel like themselves every day.
Her message is simple. Do not ignore what your body may be trying to tell you.
Thacker says, “You’re not alone. Many patients are impacted. And there are solutions.”