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Causes of AllergyMold and Fungi: Dampness Allergy |
 Alternaria Spores Chain
 Aspergillus microscope image
Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Mold Allergy is long ago well-known: in 1726 was described a case of a patient with rhinitis and dyspnea when he entered to a cellar
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Molds are microscopic funghi with no leaves or roots but with spores that float in the air like pollen. They can be found all year long everywhere and without an specific season, although weather conditions (wind, rain or temperature) may affect its levels.
"Damp Allergy" is actually an allergy to enviromental mold (mainly their spores).
Mold spores can be found in any season of the ear, but they grow easily with humidity, mild temperatures and unstable climate. This are the conditions found at the end of the summer and autum. Nonetheless, it is considered to be a perennial allergen
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The most frequent mold found in the air are Alternaria, Cladosporium and Aspergillus.
5% of the population are allergic to mold. Alternaria is a well-studied allergen both indoor and outdoors, with a strong relationship to asthma. It can also be the case of other allergic diseases, including allergic Rhinitis and less frequently Atopic dermatitis.
Other allergic diseases related to molds are Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis, allergic mold sinusitis and Hypersenitivity pneumonitis.
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| Where are the Molds? |
They can be found in every enviroment: they beahve as an indoor and outdoor allergens.
Dampness is important for their growth: they can be located in humid, dark and not-sunny houses. Penthouses, basements, fridges and other areas where food is stored, rubbish, carpets and tapestries. They can also be found outdoor floating in the air, in flowerpot fresh ground or in rotten wood.
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| 10% of the population have Mold antibodies |
