For the first time in my life, I broke out in a rash. Not just a little patch of irritation — this was angry, itchy, and kept spreading. It started looking like ringworm, then suddenly shifted into hives with a relentless itch that made me want to scratch my skin off.
At first, I thought it was something simple. I tried canceling foods one by one. I slathered on creams. But nothing worked. And then… my son developed the exact same rash. That’s when I knew something deeper was going on.
I also noticed I wasn’t the only one. As I started searching online, I found story after story from moms struggling with the same mysterious rash, most often flaring in the winter, and no doctor or dermatologist had answers.
That’s when I made it my mission to dig deep and find out the root cause. And here’s what I discovered.
Possible Causes of the Unexplained Rash
1. Stress and Autoimmune Triggers
We all know momlife is full of stress — homeschooling, homesteading, work, never-ending cleaning and to-do lists and trying to hold it all together. But what many don’t realize is chronic stress suppresses the immune system and can trigger autoimmune flare-ups. So even if it seems like you’re managing it all, it doesn’t come without a cost.
Stress hormones like cortisol weaken the gut lining, causing inflammation. Over time, this can trigger autoimmune responses, where your immune system starts mistakenly attacking your own healthy tissues — including the skin.
Why the rash appears in winter: Stress hormones also weaken your skin barrier, and when the air is dry and cold, the skin becomes even more reactive.
Natural Support: Daily stress-management rituals (deep breathing, journaling, prayer, magnesium baths), keeping blood sugar balanced, and supporting your nervous system with herbs like ashwagandha, lemon balm, or chamomile.
2. Parasites Not Being Flushed Out
Here’s the truth most doctors don’t talk about, and it’s a big one: parasites are far more common than we think and if you have a pet, you have parasites. So basically everyone.
They can release toxins and waste products that overwhelm the liver and immune system. If the body can’t flush them properly, the toxins often push out through the skin.
Parasites like liver flukes have even been linked to serious conditions like diabetes and liver disease (see PubMed study on liver fluke and diabetes linked below).
Left unchecked, parasites can cause nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, skin issues, and even autoimmune-like symptoms.
How it shows up: Rashes that look like ringworm or hives, often migrating (one day on your arm, next day on your side). Itching is intense because the immune system is releasing histamines in response to parasite activity.
Why it worsens in winter: People eat heavier foods, spend more time indoors, and the digestive system slows down — creating a perfect environment for parasites to thrive.
Natural Support: Regular gentle parasite cleansing with herbs like wormwood, clove, oregano, garlic, black walnut, papaya seeds, pumpkin seeds, diatomaceous earth and keeping digestion moving is necessary. Be sure to follow the correct protocol when deworming by alkalizing the body, deworming and then flushing with binders.
3. Mold Exposure
This one shocked me the most. After connecting with other moms online, I realized nearly everyone said their rash only flared in winter. That’s when I had a “aha” moment: Winter is prime time for mycelium growth (mold’s reproductive stage).
Mold thrives in damp, poorly ventilated spaces — exactly what happens in homes when the windows are closed tight for warmth. Mold exposure can mimic skin conditions like ringworm or hives and weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to parasites and gut imbalance.
Doctors rarely test for mold exposure, heck the doctor I went to see didn’t even know what black mold was when I brought it up. These kind of doctor’s visits once again fills their pockets leaving many moms in the dark and without solutions.
Why it’s worse in winter: Indoor humidity rises, less airflow, damp clothing or bedding — mold loves this. Even a tiny patch in a bathroom or on a window frame can keep triggering the immune system.
Natural Support: Improving airflow with dehumidifiers (even cracking windows daily), or adding a few more house plants. Using activated charcoal or bentonite clay internally to bind mycotoxins, diffusing essential oils like clove or oregano, and wiping visible mold with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach
NOTE: Bleach can create a carcinogen when it comes into contact with black mold, so avoid!
Here’s another wild Mold exposure I found:
Something wild (and heartbreaking): doctors and therapists are actually seeing higher rates of marital stress — even divorce — in families struggling with toxic mold exposure. Why? Because mold doesn’t just mess with your body; it messes with your mind and emotions too.
Multiple clinical studies have shown how mold exposure isn’t just physical—it can affect the mind: Residents of moldy homes report significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, tension, and confusion. Some studies link these symptoms to neurological changes like reduced activity in areas of the brain responsible for mood and cognition .
Research also suggests that mold toxins may impair cognitive function, disrupt brain signaling paths like the HPA axis (which regulates stress responses), and even affect neurotransmitter levels .
When one or both partners are exposed, the neurological and hormonal effects can look like:
Irritability & mood swings – suddenly everything turns into an argument.
Brain fog & memory issues – forgetfulness can create constant misunderstandings.
Depression & anxiety – making it hard to connect or feel hopeful.
Fatigue & low libido – intimacy and energy take a serious hit.
Studies link mold to 34–44% higher odds of depression in exposed residents.
On top of that, if one partner feels the symptoms more severely while the other doesn’t, it can lead to skepticism, resentment, or feeling “unbelieved.”
So, when you hear that mold can “wreck homes,” it’s not just the physical house — it can creep into relationships too.
My Personal Healing Approach
When my rash flared up, I realized no single cream was ever going to fix it — I had to look at the root. Here’s what worked for my son and I:
Detox Baths: Epsom salts + baking soda + a few drops of essential oils like (mix with a carrier oil first otherwise it could burn your skin) to calm itching and pull toxins.
Garlic Honey Ferment: A spoonful daily as an immune booster and natural antimicrobial.
Homemade Salve: Coconut oil infused with oregano + tea tree for nighttime use after baths.
Day Relief: Aloe ferox gel whenever itching flared — cooled it instantly.
Full Detox: 3 days alkalizing with lemon water → 4 days parasite cleanse (wormwood, clove, oregano tincture + garlic honey ferment) → 3 days with binders (pumpkin seeds, diatomaceous earth, bentonite clay, activated charcoal).
You can find more detailed explanation and how to make some of these in my post on Natural remedies that keeps my kid fly free.
If you’re a mom dealing with mysterious rashes — especially ones doctors can’t explain — know this: you’re not alone, and it’s not “all in your head.”
Skin issues are deeply connected to gut health, parasites, and environmental toxins like mold.
Healing takes time, but with consistency, natural remedies, and a focus on supporting your body, it’s possible to stop the cycle.
Hope this helped you find some answers.
Take care, till next time..
References:
Kilburn, K.H. (2009). Neurobehavioral and pulmonary impairment in adults with indoor exposure to mold-contaminated buildings. Archives of Environmental
Health.Hope, J. et al. (2022). Toxic mold: The invisible culprit in chronic illness and emotional health. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients.
World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2013). Stress and skin: An overview of its physiological effects. wjgnet.com
Clinical Dermatology Review (2023). Stress and common dermatological disorders: The missing link. journals.lww.com
Self Magazine. 7 Ways Stress Affects Your Skin (and How to Deal). self.com
Harvard Health Publishing (2018). Autoimmune disease and stress: Is there a link? health.harvard.edu
Autoimmune Institute. Stress & Autoimmune Disease: Navigating the Complex Relationship. autoimmuneinstitute.org
Amen Clinics. Mental Illness or Mold Toxicity? amenclinics.com
Environmental Health Perspectives (2007). Mold and dampness in relation to depression, anxiety and brain effects. ehp.niehs.nih.gov
A1 Mold Testing & Remediation. Mold can affect relationships. a1moldtesting.com
Wikipedia. Psychoneuroimmunolog
