Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg has described a panic episode in a Las Vegas hotel room after she became concerned about possible mould exposure. The actress, 54, says her previous health problems, which she attributes to mycotoxin poisoning, have left her experiencing what she describes as PTSD.

On the 10 November episode of The Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Show, McCarthy described the fear: 'Everywhere I'd go, I'd panic that there was mold even if there wasn't mold in the places.'

Panic in a Hotel Room

Things came to a head this summer, when she travelled with her husband to Las Vegas for his New Kids on the Block residency. She woke up with slightly swollen eyes and immediately suspected mould in the room.

'I literally went in hysterics, I was crying so hard and had a nervous breakdown in that room that my husband never saw me like this, ever.' She did not say whether mould was found in the room.

Having undergone 11 surgeries in 15 months, she was scared of her body 'falling apart again'. The worry spread to travel, restaurants and car journeys.

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Diagnosis and Symptoms

McCarthy was diagnosed with mycotoxin poisoning by a doctor in December 2025. Before the diagnosis, she suffered from constant chalazions on her eyes, tooth pain, skin rashes and food allergies.

She says she has been in remission for the past seven months and is slowly getting better. The '100 pills a day' she takes sometimes leave her crying and gagging.

Part of her detox process to date has involved living in a tent in her backyard. 'Because I am paranoid now about basically sleeping anywhere, I live in a tent,' she said during a 29 October podcast episode.

'After all of those surgeries, after being diagnosed with mycotoxin poisoning, I feel a little bit sometimes crazy and like the walls are caving in and paranoid.' She remains in the 'traumatic part' of her journey.

What Health Sources Say

According to the Cleveland Clinic, mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by some fungi and moulds that can cause sudden or long-term illness in people and animals. They can enter the body through the skin, by ingestion or by inhalation.

The health effects of mycotoxins depend on the specific toxin and the route and level of exposure. Separately, exposure to damp and mouldy indoor environments can cause allergic reactions and irritation, including red or itchy eyes, skin rashes, nasal symptoms and wheezing. People with asthma or mould allergies may experience more severe reactions.

Doctors assessing suspected health effects from indoor mould exposure generally consider a patient's symptoms, medical history and possible environmental exposure. However, the American College of Medical Toxicology says urine mycotoxin testing and mycotoxin antibody testing are not validated methods for diagnosing illness caused by inhaling mould in indoor environments.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that mycotoxins can resist disinfectants. For household mould, the CDC recommends removing visible mould, cleaning surfaces with detergent and water, drying items promptly and addressing the underlying moisture problem. Items that cannot be properly cleaned and dried may need to be discarded.

People who experience persistent or worsening symptoms they believe may be related to mould exposure should seek medical advice. Anyone experiencing severe breathing difficulties or other acute symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.

Mould, Mood and Mental Health

Mood changes such as irritability, anxiety and low mood are also listed among the warning signs of mould toxicity. Chronic symptoms, poor sleep and environmental stress can worsen mood and cognition.

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