You're Doing Everything Right — But Your Child Still Has Eczema? Part 4 Mold Exposure
Could It Be Mold?
You’ve cleaned up their diet.
You’ve swapped in ferments and meat stock.
You’ve ditched processed food, tried elimination diets, and maybe even gone full GAPS or ancestral.
So why… is the eczema still there?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And mama, this post is here to gently open the door to something that’s often missed in chronic eczema and gut healing journeys: mold exposure.
Recently, we discovered that the bathroom in our new home had hidden mold. At first glance, there were signs of water damage—but nothing that screamed “mold” to the untrained eye, so we didn’t think much of it. But soon after moving in, our daughter developed persistent congestion that lasted over two months, despite being on a full GAPS diet and receiving all the gut-loving support I knew to give.
Nothing was helping.
That’s when I started digging deeper… and found mold exposure at the root of chronic, unexplained congestion.
We took her to the pediatrician, hoping for answers—but all we got was a referral to an allergist. That didn’t feel like enough. So, we decided to take matters into our own hands—and I’m sharing our journey here in the hope that it helps another mama who might be wondering why nothing is working.
Let’s dive in together. 💛
What Mold Exposure Does to the Gut, Skin, and Immune System
Mold (and its byproducts, mycotoxins) are more than just an allergy trigger. They’re immune disruptors and gut saboteurs — especially in little ones with sensitive systems.
Here's how mold can impact your child:
Suppresses immunity and makes eczema-prone skin even more reactive
Disrupts the gut lining, worsening leaky gut and inflammation
Feeds candida overgrowth, leading to itchy skin, sugar cravings, and food sensitivities
Slows detox pathways, meaning toxins build up instead of being flushed out
Alters the microbiome, pushing out the “good guys” and allowing bad bugs to flourish
Mold doesn’t just affect the lungs — it affects the gut-skin axis, the gut-brain connection, and the detox systems that toddlers rely on to stay balanced.
Candida overgrowth is common in gut-challenged kids, but what many mamas don’t realize is that mold exposure and yeast overgrowth often go hand in hand.
After our move, we did another microbiome test with Tiny Health (we’ve tested every 3 months since birth)—and for the first time, my daughter’s results showed a candida overgrowth. While she had been eating a bit more fruit lately (thanks to seasonal variety and our efforts to diversify her plate), this result was a clear red flag that something deeper was going on beneath the surface.
Microbiome testing has been such a powerful tool in our healing journey. It gave us insight into imbalances we couldn’t see—and helped us create a more targeted approach to gut support and immune regulation.
If you're curious about your child’s microbiome or suspect something might be “off,” this kind of testing can be an eye-opener. It’s non-invasive, incredibly detailed, and provides actionable steps to rebalance the gut.
🧬 Want to try it yourself?
Click here to get $40 off your first Tiny Health test with code REF-BIANCA0755 and start building a gut-health roadmap that’s tailored to your baby or toddler.
Where Is Mold Hiding? (Even in Clean Homes)
Many mamas are shocked to find mold in places they never expected. Here are the most common hidden sources:
In Your Bathroom:
Around the tub or shower seams
Behind the toilet or under the sink
In bath toys (especially squirty ones!)
☠️ Tip: Cut one open — you’ll be shocked.Mildewy towels or bath mats
Shower curtains (especially fabric liners)
In Your Kitchen:
Under the sink
In fridge water dispensers
In old cutting boards or sponge holders
Around window sills (especially with condensation)
In the Nursery or Bedroom:
HVAC vents and window units
Damp closets
Under carpets or rugs
Humidifiers (if not cleaned thoroughly)
Mattresses or pillows that have gotten wet
🧠 Note: You do not need visible black mold for it to be a problem. Many mold spores are invisible and odorless, but their toxins can still trigger immune dysfunction in babies.
Signs of Mold Exposure in Kids (Beyond Just Eczema)
While skin flares are a major red flag, mold often shows up in non-skin ways too.
Watch for:
Persistent eczema that doesn’t respond to diet changes
Congestion, mouth breathing or runny nose every morning (even if there's no cold)
Mood swings, anxiety, or tantrums (yes, mold affects the brain!)
Frequent ear infections or wet cough
Itchy ears or body at night
Dark circles under the eyes
Frequent yeast infections or diaper rash
Sensitivity to light or noise
Slow growth or nutrient deficiencies
Trouble sleeping, night terrors or constant restlessness
Food cravings for sugar and carbs
Constipation or slimy stools
Histamine symptoms like hives, itchy skin, or flushing
Poor appetite + sensory food aversions
Regression in milestones or delayed speech
Breath that smells metallic or musty
Always trust your gut. If you're doing everything "right" but the issues persist — mold could be part of the picture.
For mamas, it might show up as:
Headaches, fatigue, foggy brain, anxiety, rashes, or even joint pain — especially in older homes.
“But I Can’t See Any Mold — So How Is It Getting Into My Child’s Body?”
This is one of the most common and frustrating parts of mold exposure — you often can’t see it, but your child’s body still reacts like it’s being attacked.
Here’s how that happens:
Mold Spores Are Tiny — And Travel Through Air
Even if you’ve scrubbed the visible spots, mold spores are microscopic and float invisibly through the air like dust. Your child inhales them, and those spores can settle in the lungs, sinuses, and even digestive tract.
Mold can also hitch a ride on:
Clothes
Furniture
Bath mats, towels, toys
HVAC vents
Bathroom corners, under the sink, or behind the fridge
You don’t need to see black splotches to have a problem. Many homes have hidden mold in drywall, behind baseboards, or under flooring.
Mold Toxins Can Be Swallowed
If spores land on toys, food, or fingers — especially with toddlers who explore with their mouths — they can easily ingest mold.
Some foods are also naturally high in mycotoxins (toxins made by mold), like:
Store-bought peanut butter
Corn and corn syrup
Grains, cereal, oats
Coffee (for mama - this is why I use Fabula Coffee it is third-party tested for mold you can click here to get 40% off your first purchase)
Dried fruit
Certain cheeses
What If the Mold Is on Our Clothes?
Even if the home looks clean, mold spores can cling to fabrics — especially:
Towels, sheets, and bath mats
Baby carriers or wraps
Clothing worn during mold exposure
Stuffed animals, cloth toys, blankets
Any fabric that smells musty or feels damp easily
If you’ve ever smelled a sour odor in your laundry after a wash… 👀 yep, that could be mold or mildew living in the fibers.
How to Detox Your Washing Machine (Yes, It Matters!)
Your washing machine can actually become a mold source, especially if it’s front-loading or in a humid space.
Here’s how to clean it naturally:
Step 1: Deep Clean with Vinegar
Run 1 full hot wash cycle with 2–4 cups white vinegar (no clothes inside)
Add 10 drops tea tree oil or lemon oil to fight fungus
Wipe down the drum, rubber gasket, detergent drawer, and door with vinegar + baking soda paste
Step 2: Baking Soda Rinse
Run a second hot cycle with ½ cup baking soda to deodorize and lift residues
Step 3: Keep It Dry
Always leave the door slightly open after washing to allow airflow
Wipe down the rubber seal regularly
If your laundry room is humid, consider a small dehumidifier nearby
How to Wash Mold-Exposed Clothes Safely
For clothing, baby wraps, or fabric toys you want to keep:
Pre-Soak
Soak in hot water + 1 cup white vinegar or 1 tbsp Borax for 30–60 minutes
Optional: Add a few drops of tea tree or clove oil (antifungal)
Wash
Use hot water cycle with a non-toxic detergent
Add ½ cup baking soda to help lift mustiness and spores
Optional: Add ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide to the drum for extra mold-fighting boost (safe for colorfast clothes)
Dry
Dry in direct sunlight when possible — UV rays naturally kill mold
If using a dryer, make sure the fabric is fully dry to prevent re-growth
💡 If items still smell musty after washing, spores may be too deep in the fibers — it might be time to gently let that item go.
How Long Does It Take to Detox from Mold?
Babies and toddlers are still developing their liver, kidneys, gut, and lymphatic system — which means they detox slower than adults.
⏳ General timeline:
If mold exposure was acute (like a water leak), it can take 3–6 months of gentle support
If mold exposure is chronic or undiagnosed for a long time, it may take 6–12 months or longer, depending on gut health, genetics, and environment
Every child is different, but mold detox is not a quick fix. It’s a slow and steady rebalancing.
Initial detox response: 2–3 weeks of “stirring” reactions as toxins begin to move
Visible skin improvement: often 4–6 weeks
Gut and mood shifts: around 2–3 months with consistent support
Deep terrain rebuilding: 3–12 months depending on severity
Reminder: Slow detox = safe detox. We don’t need fast. We need gentle, layered, sustainable support.
But here’s the good news: Children heal faster when supported properly, and they often respond beautifully to gentle, food-based detox (see below).
What If Detox Makes Things Worse? (Die-Off Reactions Explained)
Sometimes when we start mold detox (even just with baths!), the body stirs up toxins that were previously stored away.
This is called a “healing crisis” or Herxheimer reaction. It’s temporary, but it can feel intense.
Common die-off reactions in toddlers:
Sudden rash flare-ups
Mood swings, tantrums
Temporary sleep regression
Loose or mucus-filled stools
Refusing food
Clinginess or anxiety
What to Do:
Slow down. You don’t have to push through. Healing can pause.
Add binders: meat stock, cooked carrots, clay baths
Keep baths gentle (1–2x per week) and hydrate with meat stock, coconut water, or cucumber water
Support liver detox with herbs like chamomile, dandelion, or gentle teas
What Should I Feed My Mold-Affected Toddler?
Mamas always ask: “What do I even feed them when their system is so sensitive?”
Focus on nourishing, anti-inflammatory, microbiome-supportive foods:
✅ Meat stock – collagen, minerals, and gut-soothing amino acids
✅ Cooked non-starchy veggies – like zucchini, squash, and carrots
✅ Pastured meats – chicken, turkey, lamb, beef
✅ Healthy fats – coconut oil, ghee, olive oil
✅ Ferments – sauerkraut brine, homemade yogurt, kefir
✅ Coconut yogurt or applesauce with added gelatin
✅ Bone marrow, egg yolk, and liver (added slowly, in baby-safe ways)
Avoid:
🚫 Dried fruit (yeast fuel)
🚫 Bread, crackers, cereals
🚫 Peanut butter (very mold-prone)
🚫 Cheese, unless raw/goat/sheep and tolerated
🚫 Store-bought oat milk or almond milk
Easy Detox Bath Options (Toddler + Mama Friendly)
Epsom Salt or Magnesium Flakes (We use flakes)
Magnesium helps support detox, sleep, and nervous system regulation.
➡️ Start with ¼ cup flakes (or 2–3 tbsp Epsom salt) in a warm bath. Gradually work up to ½ cup max over time. Soak for 10–15 minutes.
Bentonite Clay
A gentle binder that can help draw out toxins, including mold-related mycotoxins, through the skin.
➡️ Use 1–2 tbsp of pre-mixed clay (dissolve in warm water before adding to the bath).
💡 Always rinse off well after, as clay can dry on the skin and trap toxins.
Baking Soda
Alkalizes the water, soothes skin, and may aid detoxification.
➡️ Use 2–3 tbsp max for toddlers. Too much can cause dryness or pH disruption.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Balances skin pH and helps with yeast-related skin irritation.
➡️ Use 2 tbsp–¼ cup max for toddlers. For mamas, up to ½–1 cup is fine.
Chamomile or Calendula Tea
Natural herbal soothers, wonderful for inflamed, itchy, or sensitive skin.
➡️ Steep 2–3 bags in boiling water, then cool slightly and pour into the tub.
Tips:
Always rinse the body after the bath.
Follow up with a tallow balm, calendula salve, or coconut oil.
Start 1 bath per week, then increase slowly to 2–3x per week based on how your child responds.
Herbal Helpers for Mold Detox (Safe for Toddlers)
These herbs are known to gently support detox organs and reduce mold’s inflammatory effects.
Toddler-Safe (always check dosage + brand):
Milk Thistle (seed tea) – liver support, anti-inflammatory
Burdock Root – blood cleanser, skin + lymph support
Dandelion Root (roasted tea) – bile flow, digestion, detox
Chamomile or Calendula – calming, liver + skin support, gentle lymph mover
Slippery Elm or Marshmallow Root – gut lining repair
Fennel Seed – gas relief, gut soother
Lemon Balm – calming, antiviral, supports digestion
Red Clover – safe lymphatic support for older toddlers
Turmeric (small doses) – reduces inflammation and balances gut flora
Note: Always start one herb at a time and observe how your child responds.
💡 Look for alcohol-free glycerite herbal tinctures for children.
These gentle herbs can be introduced slowly (in teas, glycerites, or small food doses):
What Mama Can Do While Breastfeeding
Your milk is powerful, and detox can be supported safely while breastfeeding with intention and care.
Mama-Friendly Mold Detox Tips:
Liver support teas: dandelion, nettle, ginger, chamomile
Bitter foods: radish, arugula, parsley, lemon water
Eat your own gut-healing foods: meat stock, liver, probiotic ferments
Avoid moldy foods in your own diet: coffee, peanuts, aged cheese
Mold binders: chlorella, activated charcoal (I got mine from Dr. Green Life Organics - you can click here for $10 off your first purchase)
Clean air: invest in a quality air purifier
Home testing: ERMI or HERTSMI-2 mold tests via Mycometrics
Clean up bath + kitchen mold with non-toxic cleaners (baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide)
This helps filter and support what your baby is exposed to, while building the foundation for better gut health through breastmilk.
And most of all — keep nursing. Breastmilk is still your baby’s most powerful support tool.
How Biofeedback Can Help Identify Mold and Support Detox
When your child is still struggling — even after removing triggers and changing diets — it’s easy to feel lost. This is where biofeedback tools can offer deeper clarity.
We’ve been using Biofeedback sessions on my daughter alongside all of the above - if you want a referral to a specialist please email me at bianca@raisingprimalbabiesandbeasts.com and I can give you more information on the practitioner I use.
What Is Biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a non-invasive, energetic testing method that helps detect imbalances in the body’s systems by measuring responses to stress, toxins, or allergens (like mold, yeast, or heavy metals). It can pick up on:
Fungal/mold overgrowth
Liver or lymphatic congestion
Gut inflammation
Emotional or nervous system dysregulation
Nutrient deficiencies
Parasites or chronic infections
📍 While it’s not a “diagnosis,” it gives a roadmap of how your child’s body is coping and what may be overwhelming their detox pathways.
Why Biofeedback Can Be Game-Changing for Mold-Exposed Kids
Even if the mold source is gone, your child’s body may still be struggling to eliminate the toxins it absorbed during exposure.
Biofeedback can:
Reveal if mold/mycotoxins are still affecting the body
Identify which drainage/detox systems are under-functioning (like lymph, liver, or skin)
Help create a tailored, gentle detox protocol — perfect for infants and toddlers
Pick up emotional trauma or fear responses the child may be holding in the body (yes, mold is that stressful)
Biofeedback Helps You Tune In, Not Freak Out
This isn’t about fear or rigid protocols — it’s about learning what your baby’s body is whispering, so you can meet them with the right support.
It can be a validating and empowering next step when labs are “normal,” but your mama gut says something’s still off.
You’re not crazy for suspecting mold.
You’re not failing if eczema is still showing up.
You’re doing sacred, powerful work — and now you have another layer to explore.
Start with the bath.
Then the air.
Then the herbs.
Then the shifts in your home environment.
Each small detox step counts. Each flare tells a story. Each sip of meat stock or soothing bath is a vote for your child’s healing.