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Allergy to fungi and molds is, contrary to appearances, frequent. Mold fungus allergens are ubiquitous in the environment. Symptoms of an allergy to fungi and molds are very diverse, and depending on the climatic conditions, they may occur throughout the year or seasonally. Are there any tests for such an allergy? How is an allergy to fungi and molds treated?

An allergy to fungi and moldsis not the first thing we think about when we have symptoms of allergy, and this is a mistake, because fungal spores are the most numerous group of biological particles present in the air, their well above the number of pollen grains. Getting into our respiratory tract along with the inhaled air, they can become the cause of allergies.

The size of fungal spores ranges from a few to several dozen micrometers, most not exceeding a dozen or so micrometers. So they are generally smaller than pollen grains of plants, so they reach the respiratory tract deeper.

Most fungi are microscopic in size, invisible to the naked eye or visible as blooms. Only some of the fungi form a large mycelium. Those whose mycelium is in the form of raids are colloquially called molds.

The growth of fungi is favored by high relative air humidity (optimum above 70%) and appropriate ambient temperature (optimum is 16-35 degrees C). Thus, their development depends on the climate and season.

Allergy to fungi and molds - types

Among the fungi that are the cause of inhalation allergy, the most important types are:AlternariaandCladosporiumandPenicilliumandAspergillus . Most often it sensitizes the fungusAlternaria alternata , although most patients are hypersensitive to several species of fungi.

Ailments can be both seasonal and year-round. Most often, however, symptoms occur throughout the year, worsening in summer and autumn, which is related to the period of the presence of spores in the air.

Allergic reactions to fungi can appear in the following forms:

  • inhalation allergy to fungi and molds

Respiratory problems will be caused by the presence of fungal spores in the air we breathe. Symptoms worsen in late summer and early summerin the fall.

  • food allergy to fungi and molds

Stomach or intestinal problems will result from eating food in which fungus allergens are present. The problem of food allergy to fungi may result from the consumption of cap mushrooms. The cause of this form of allergy may also be food products, the production of which uses fungi or their metabolites, and food attacked by fungi.

Foods in which the presence of fungal antigens can be expected include blue cheese, "industrially" orange juice, some types of wine and beer, soy sauce, yeast cakes and "industrially" smoked meats.

  • contact allergy to fungi and molds

Direct contact with fungal spores can cause lesions on the skin or mucous membranes. It is often a form of occupational mushroom allergy. There have been reports of skin lesions in farmers caused by contact with maize attacked byUstilago maydis .

  • allergic to antibiotics

For the production of some antibiotics, specially prepared mycelium is used. With hypersensitivity to fungi or an allergy, an allergic reaction may develop after taking such an antibiotic. The best example is penicillin obtained from a mushroom culturepenicillium praktum.

  • an allergic reaction to fungi may also appear when a fungal infection develops in the body. This is a rare but possible situation

Allergy to fungi and molds - where are they lurking?

Fungi are often divided into fungi of the external environment and fungi that live mainly indoors.

The dominant species in the "outdoor" environment include:

  • Alternaria
  • Cladosporium
  • Botrytis
  • Epicoccum
  • Fusarium

They are found mainly in soil, in living and dead vegetation in forests, fields, meadows and gardens, and in perishable food (mainly vegetables and fruits).

So-called "dry" disputes belonging to, inter alia, fungiAlternaria ,Cladosporium ,Epicoccum ,Botrytis ,Curvulariaare released into the environment passively with increased air movement and a decrease in relative air humidity.

There is an early afternoon peak of the release of these spores during periods of increased insolation.

In turn disputes are "wet"actively released into the environment during periods of increased air humidity, i.e. in the night and early morning hours and after rainfall.

The presence of fungal spores of the genusCladosporiumandAlternariain the atmospheric air in our climate is seasonal, with the peak sporulation from May to August for spores of the genusCladosporiumand from July to September for sporesAlternaria .

Most sporesAlternariaandCladosporiumappears in the air when clear, dry and windy days come after a warm but rainy period.

Spores of the genusCladosporiumdominate the air in most European countries. They are more numerous than pollen grains and spores of the genusAlternaria .

In winter, when the temperature is low and the ground is covered with snow, the concentration of spores in the external environment is very low.

SporesAlternariaandCladosporiumare common and in large numbers also indoors, which is influenced by air movement and transmission by people and animals . As a result, indoor spores come from both outdoor and indoor sources.

The presence of appropriate indoor conditions may facilitate the development of various species of fungi. An important role here is played by the increase in humidity, caused, for example, by the operation of humidifying devices, improper ventilation, high ambient temperature and the type of human activity.

The rooms particularly exposed to the development of fungi include:

  • poorly ventilated cellars
  • kitchens
  • bathrooms
  • wooden summer houses
  • antique shops
  • archive rooms
  • library

The development of mold is favored by the presence of moisture-loving potted plants, birds and large amounts of house dust in rooms.

The fungi colonizing the environment of enclosed spaces in the first stage include species of the genusPenicilliumandAspergillus , species are secondary colonizersCladosporium , and in the third place, they attackFusarium ,Phoma ,Ulocladium .

The concentration of spores of fungi colonizing closed spaces does not show significant seasonal fluctuations.

Allergy to fungi and molds - what to avoid?

Many professional groups are exposed to the development of mushroom allergy, in particular:

  • farmers
  • gardeners
  • foresters

Problemalso applies to food industry workers:

  • młynarzy
  • bakers
  • cheese makers
  • brewing industry employees
  • of herbalists

Contact with mushrooms also have:

  • workers in composting and wastewater treatment plants
  • library staff
  • archive employees
  • museum staff
  • warehouse workers
  • monument restorers

People who are allergic should avoid farming and gardening:

  • mowing grass
  • setting up composters
  • raking fallen leaves
  • mushroom picking
  • walks in the woods, especially in autumn

Avoid places where these microorganisms find particularly favorable conditions for development, that is:

  • basement, cellar
  • wooden gazebos and summer houses used only during the holiday season
  • farm rooms in the countryside
  • indoor swimming pools
  • saun

The presence of plants that like moisture, birds, covering the floors with carpets and the walls with wallpaper, bad ventilation system, use of air humidifiers, rare removal of waste - all this contributes to the emergence of fungal growth in homes.

Massive colonization can be felt by the presence of a musty smell, which is the result of volatile substances being released into the environment by the growing fungus.

Allergy to fungi and molds - research

To confirm the diagnosis of mold allergy, the doctor may order additional tests:

  • Skin tests

For skin testing, diluted extracts of the most common allergenic mold species are used, which are applied to small incisions or punctures on the patient's forearm or back, or injected under the skin.

The species of mold responsible for the allergy cause slight reddening accompanied by erythema at the injection site - the so-called erythema-bubble reaction.

  • Blood test

The blood test is performed mainly when the result of skin tests is inconclusive. The RAST test is used then - it tests the level of immunoglobulin (IgE antibodies) directed against a specific allergen.

Antibodies are produced by the immune system during an allergic reaction. An increased level of IgE directed against a specific pollen allergen may indicate the presence of an allergy.

Allergy to fungi and molds - dangerousfoods

Foods that may contain mushroom allergens include:

  • champagne
  • wine (especially homemade)
  • beer
  • ketchup
  • soy sauce
  • cheeses, especially species with blue mold (Roquefort type)
  • bread and other yeast-containing foods
  • industrially smoked cold cuts
  • dried fruit: raisins, plums, dates etc.
  • grapes
  • moldy fruit
  • vegetables stored for a long time

Allergy to fungi and molds - home sources

The source of the occurrence of fungi in our homes may be

  • air conditioners
  • bathrooms
  • cellars
  • seals of old refrigerators
  • sink drains
  • dishwashers
  • vents
  • litter bins
  • garages
  • soil for potted plants
  • carpets
  • bathroom mats (especially wet mats)
  • old furniture and books
About the authorAnna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.

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Allergies