Why Jenny McCarthy Is Living in a Tent Amid Mold Poisoning Battle

Jenny McCarthy is revealing the shocking reason she has traded traditional indoor living for a tent in her backyard. The 53-year-old television personality says a lengthy health battle involving mold and mycotoxin poisoning has left her fearful of returning to a normal living environment.

McCarthy, who is married to actor Donnie Wahlberg, opened up about the experience during an October 2026 episode of The Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Show. She described the past two years as an exhausting medical journey involving dental infections, multiple surgeries, unexplained symptoms and what she says was eventually diagnosed as mold and mycotoxin poisoning.

A Toothache Started a Two-Year Health Battle

According to McCarthy, her health problems began with a toothache on October 7, 2024. What initially appeared to be a dental issue eventually developed into a much more complicated medical situation. She explained that she underwent numerous dental procedures, had teeth removed and experienced recurring infections. She also described complications involving dental implants, jawbone damage and mysterious growths that appeared around her eyes.

At one point, doctors reportedly became concerned about swollen bumps on her eyelid and whether they could indicate cancer. McCarthy said the repeated medical procedures and unsuccessful attempts to identify the underlying problem left her physically and emotionally exhausted.

Doctors Identified Mold and Mycotoxin Concerns

After months of struggling with unexplained symptoms, McCarthy said a doctor recommended investigating possible mold exposure. She recalled receiving an urgent phone call from her physician, who told her that testing had revealed serious mold exposure and potential neurological risks. McCarthy believes the discovery helped explain why she had been experiencing repeated infections and other health complications. She has described the condition as mold and mycotoxin poisoning. Mycotoxins are substances produced by certain types of fungi.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to damp and moldy environments can cause health problems, including respiratory symptoms, coughing, wheezing, eye irritation and allergic reactions. Some individuals, particularly those with asthma or weakened immune systems, can experience more serious complications. However, McCarthy’s specific medical claims and the connection between her reported symptoms and mold exposure have not been independently established through publicly available medical records.

Why Jenny McCarthy Moved Into a Tent

Perhaps the most surprising part of McCarthy’s story is where she is currently sleeping. After becoming increasingly concerned about potential mold exposure inside buildings, McCarthy said she decided to move into a tent in her backyard.

During her October 2026 podcast episode, she described the setup, which includes a tan outdoor tent and an additional rainproof covering. She explained that the covering helps protect her from rain and sprinklers. McCarthy admitted that her experience has left her increasingly fearful of sleeping indoors. She explained during the podcast that she has become paranoid about where she sleeps because of her concerns about potential mold exposure.

Seven Months Into Her Mold Detox

McCarthy revealed that she is approximately seven months into what she describes as her mold detox journey. Her treatment routine reportedly includes infrared sauna sessions, vitamins and supplements, nasal sprays and other wellness treatments. She also discussed beginning therapeutic plasma exchange, commonly referred to as TPE. This medical procedure removes a patient’s plasma and replaces it with replacement fluid or donor plasma, depending on the treatment.

McCarthy said she plans to document the process and discuss her experience in future podcast episodes. There is an important distinction between her personal treatment decisions and established medical guidance. The CDC recommends addressing moisture problems and removing indoor mold but does not recommend routine home mold testing as a way to determine whether someone will become sick.

Is Donnie Wahlberg Living in the Tent Too?

McCarthy’s unusual living arrangement does not appear to include her husband. She explained that Wahlberg is currently working in Canada and staying indoors while she continues her recovery efforts. The couple married in 2014 and have frequently shared glimpses of their relationship publicly. McCarthy joked about her husband’s living situation during the podcast, making it clear that he has not joined her backyard camping arrangement.

Jenny McCarthy Says Her Health Journey Is Far From Over

Despite identifying what she believes was a major contributor to her health problems, McCarthy says she is still dealing with the emotional and physical aftermath. She described feeling traumatized by the experience and admitted that she has become fearful of potential mold exposure in buildings.

The television personality has also discussed the possibility of relocating to a drier climate, mentioning destinations such as Las Vegas and Arizona as potential alternatives to more humid environments. For now, McCarthy says she plans to continue documenting her recovery, including her experience with therapeutic plasma exchange. Her decision to live in a backyard tent has attracted attention, but McCarthy says it reflects how dramatically the past two years have changed her daily life.