Allergy to Cladosporium mould

What is Cladosporium mould allergy?

Cladosporium is a genus of moulds that grow on dead and living plants, on leaves, in soil and on damp surfaces indoors. The spores are spread by the wind and are the most common mould spores in the air in large parts of the world. In some people, the body forms IgE to the spores, which can then cause allergy symptoms.

Symptoms

• A runny or blocked nose
• Sneezing and itchy eyes
• Coughing, wheezing and asthma

The symptoms can resemble pollen allergy but often continue into the autumn, when the pollen season is over.

When are levels highest?

Outdoors, levels are highest from summer into autumn, especially on warm, windy days and during harvest and leaf fall. Indoors, Cladosporium can grow on damp window frames, in bathrooms and in damp-damaged buildings.

Cross-reactivity

Moulds share some proteins, and people who react to Cladosporium sometimes also react to Alternaria and other moulds. That is why several moulds are usually tested at the same time.

How to get tested

Cladosporium herbarum (allergen code m2) is included in our Mould allergy and Mould allergy Plus tests. The test shows whether you have IgE antibodies to the mould.

Frequently asked questions

Can mould at home cause allergy?

Yes, but damp-damaged buildings can also cause symptoms without allergy, by irritating the mucous membranes. A blood test shows whether you have IgE to the most common moulds. If there is mould in your home, the damp problem should be fixed regardless.

Why do I have allergy symptoms in September?

By then the pollen season is largely over, but there are plenty of mould spores in the air. Symptoms in autumn can therefore be caused by moulds such as Cladosporium and Alternaria.