Jenny McCarthy Reveals Mold Toxicity Battle After Jaw Infection, Eye Growths

The TV personality opened up about a six-month health crisis that was eventually traced to hidden mold exposure.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:10am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the internal structures of a human jaw, with glowing lines highlighting the areas of infection and inflammation, conceptually illustrating the medical issues faced by Jenny McCarthy.An X-ray view of the internal damage caused by a persistent jaw infection, a symptom of the mold toxicity that plagued TV personality Jenny McCarthy for months.Los Angeles Today

Actress and TV personality Jenny McCarthy, 53, shared details of a harrowing six-month health battle that involved a persistent jaw infection, alarming eye growths, and ultimately a diagnosis of mycotoxin poisoning from mold exposure. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, the infections continued to return until her functional medicine doctor discovered the underlying mold toxicity issue, which had compromised McCarthy's immune system and made her resistant to antibiotics.

Why it matters

McCarthy's story highlights the challenges many people face in getting to the root cause of chronic, unexplained health issues, especially those related to environmental factors like mold exposure. Her willingness to openly discuss the graphic details of her illness aims to raise awareness and encourage others to investigate potential environmental triggers when dealing with persistent infections or other mysterious medical problems.

The details

McCarthy's health crisis began with a root canal that was not properly cleaned, leading to a persistent and spreading jaw infection. Over the next six months, the situation escalated as the untreated bacteria moved into her jawbone, creating toxic pockets under her wisdom teeth. Despite undergoing eight different surgeries and multiple root cavitations, the infections continued to return. During this time, McCarthy also began noticing strange, pus-filled growths appearing on her lower eyelid that would reappear just weeks after being surgically removed.

  • In July, McCarthy was dealing with an oozing eye infection and persistent mouth infections.
  • Over the previous year, McCarthy had become resistant to antibiotics.

The players

Jenny McCarthy

A 53-year-old television personality who recently opened up about a serious health battle involving mold toxicity.

Maria Menounos

The host of the Heal Squad podcast, where McCarthy shared her story.

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What they’re saying

“If this thing that you've got crosses the blood-brain barrier, you're gonna be in the hospital having seizures. I'm like, 'Oh my God.'”

— McCarthy's functional medicine doctor

“Now I'm into July, oozing infection coming through my eye, my mouth is being infected, we put the implants in, the implants were rejected, and I'm like, 'What is going on!?'”

— Jenny McCarthy

What’s next

McCarthy continues to manage her vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand, Formless Beauty, and is developing a new daytime talk show and video podcast hybrid. She is also set to return as a judge on the 15th season of The Masked Singer later this year.

The takeaway

McCarthy's experience underscores the importance of investigating environmental factors, like mold exposure, when dealing with chronic or unexplained health issues. Her willingness to share the graphic details of her illness aims to raise awareness and encourage others to be proactive in their own medical journeys.