The most important part of identifying what type of mold is present in a sample is to identify how it impacts our health. Typically, mold is characterized by its allergy type. Type I and Type III are the allergy types associated with the mold tested for in air samples.
Type I hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions are allergic reactions to a substance that is normally considered harmless, like pollen or food. These reactions produce symptoms like hay fever (aka allergic rhinitis), conjunctivitis (swollen, itchy eyes), hives, eczema, asthma and in extreme cases anaphylaxis. These reactions are known as “immediate” reactions because once the allergen enters the body, the immune system initiates a response. There are several types of mold commonly found in testing that produce Type I reactions including Alternaria, Basidiospores, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Penicillium/Aspergillus and Stachybotrys (aka black mold).
Type III hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions are allergic reactions characterized by an abnormal immune response. During this response, immune complexes are formed between an antigen (the foreign substance that entered the body) and immunoglobulins (proteins in the body that help it fight infections). The formation of immune complexes is problematic because they can build up in different areas of the body and cause damage to the tissue. Over time, this reaction process can lead to serious autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Molds known to be capable of eliciting these responses are Alternaria, Basidiospores, Hyphae, Penicillium/Aspergillus, and Scopulariopsis.
However, just because a mold is capable of producing these reactions does not mean it always will. Every person’s immune system is different, and some individuals are much more sensitive to mold than others. Immunocompromised individuals are much more likely to experience mold infection symptoms and should take extra precaution to ensure there is no mold present in their homes.
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