Alternaria mold symptoms. Characteristics, Health Effects

The Alternaria mold is widely known as one of the most allergenic mold in the world. This type of fungus is extremely common and easily widespread to other areas with over than 250 species researched. So what about alternaria mold symptoms?

Often, the mold affects plant and considered as a stubborn pathogen, infecting more than 4000 host plant species. It’s the culprit behind significant damage to agricultural yields.

Apart from its notorious effects on plants, Alternaria health effects are also considered detrimental particularly for people with a sensitive immune system or autoimmune disease. The mold can trigger an allergic reaction and must be removed immediately to prevent further infestation. This article is about alternaria mold symptoms.

1. The Most Common Types of Alternaria Mold

The many species of Alternaria can cause damage both to the plants and humans. Among the 250 types, the most common Alternaria molds are Alternaria alternata and Alternaria tenuissima.

Alternatia alternata is a saprophyte mostly found in soil and plants and considered as an opportunist pathogen and damaging host plants. This species is responsible for causing disease in plants including leaf spots, rots, and blights. The latter kind is also considered as an outdoor allergen with the very high number found in the environment particularly during the summer.

Unfortunately, Alternaria can also invest in your indoor environment such as bed, sofa, carpet, and considered as the main risk factor for asthma-related symptoms. Research shows that the mold is not only fungi associated with asthma presence, but also causing the persistence and severity of respiratory problems due to exposure to Alternaria.

The other common types of Alternaria mold is the Alternaria Infectoria, Alternaria Chartarum, Alternaria Stemphyloides, Alternaria Geophilia, and Alternaria dianthicola.

2. Alternaria mold Characteristics and Places to Grow

Known to be damaging for plants, Alternaria is mostly spotted on the grass, leaf plants, trees, and soil. Indoors, the fungus is carried by the wind outdoor and often occupy sporous surface like the wallpaper, carpet, and window frames.

The colony triumphs in a high humidity environment so it can also found in the air conditioning system and can travel easily through the air and grow in tiles, bricks, canvas, and iron.

Alternaria has velvety texture on the surface and appears in dark green or brown hairs. Apart from occupying the sporous surface or furniture, the fungus sometimes appears as a result of water damage in your building.

The mold is extremely airborne particularly during dry and windy conditions. The colony loves high concentration of humidity of approximately 2.5 to 20 pH level and in areas with ambient temperatures of approximately 1 to 35 degrees Celsius.

However, the mold growth rate reaches its best between the temperature of 20 to 25 degree Celsius, which result in a fivefold increase in growth rate.

The exposure to the mold spores can cause allergies to people and quickly colonize the suitably moist area. During the process, Alternaria can develop into mycelia that is observable with the naked eyes. In addition to the humidity and temperature level, the mold requires an environment with water activity values above 0.85 to reach maturity within just 5 days.

3. Alternaria mold symptoms

When Alternaria enters your house, the symptoms may not be visible from Day 1, but it develops into serious manifestation first before causing some health problems. If you have respiratory disease, pulmonary illness or allergies, you’ll get a higher risk of infected by the mold allergic diseases, asthma symptoms,

People with asthma, for example, are more vulnerable to catch a more serious disease as the result of Alternaria allergy. In China, a higher level of Alternaria infection in food (cereal grain) is highly associated with oesophageal cancer.

The highest possibility of catching Alternaria mold health effects happens in elderly, babies, children, and people with immune-associated issues, particularly when the symptoms are left untreated or unaware.

Alternaria species are known to cause illness in humans because they produce mycotoxins, a substance that infected respiratory system, nails, and human skin. The allergens mostly cause asthma and hay fever, but the risk to develop into dangerous illness is low in healthy adults. So mow we will discuss allergic diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babies and infants are to be more cautious to Alternaria symptoms and health effects, since they are at the higher risk of exposure to crib death and SIDS.

People, particularly with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or emphysema can also develop more severe symptoms of Alternaria allergy, in which among the illness includes contagious respiratory infection and sore throat. Signs of mold exposure can be detected when the people inside start to experience unusual symptoms including constant sneezing, runny nose, cough, sore throat, itchy and teary eyes, and irritated skin.

The most common allergy symptoms are similar to those of cold disease. It’s only susceptible when you do nothing that can trigger common cold but still catching the signs. Other common symptoms of Alternaria mold infection include difficulty to breathe, wheezing, sore throat, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. When the mold infests in your skin, hives and skin rashes are unavoidable.

The easiest way to determine whether you catch a common cold or fungal infection is by seeing the doctor. Upon examination, the doctor will be able to tell if the disease is cold, respiratory illness, or exposure.

Read also: How Do You Know You Have Mold exposure 

Mold allergy. Allergy foundation

Mold allergies – is the large problem. Mold can be a common trigger for rhinitis, asthma symptoms which is an allergic reaction to airborne allergens that affects the lining of the nose and sinuses. When mold spores are inhaled, the body’s immune system reacts by releasing histamines and other chemicals, causing the typical symptoms of rhinitis. Pollen and fungal spores are growinf very fast and cause fungal allergens. Mold very often couses allergic reactions.

Symptoms of mold-induced rhinitis can include:

• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Coughing
• Headache
• Fatigue

Mold spores can be found in many environments, including indoors and outdoors, and can grow in damp and humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Individuals with a history of allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to developing allergic rhinitis from exposure.

To manage allergic rhinitis caused by mold, it is important to minimize exposure to mold spores. Here are some tips:

• Keep indoor environments dry and well-ventilated
• Fix any leaks or water damage promptly
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels in the home
• Clean and vacuum regularly to reduce mold spores and other allergens
• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to remove mold spores and other airborne allergens from the air

Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids can help alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by mold. If symptoms are severe or do not respond to over-the-counter treatments, it may be necessary to see a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment. Mold allergy is ratrer popular problem nowadays.

4. Risk Factors

Alternaria can cause health problems in people who are sensitive or allergic to it. Here are some risk factors that can increase your likelihood of experiencing health effects from Alternaria mold:

1. Pre-existing respiratory conditions: People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are more likely to experience symptoms from exposure to Alternaria.
2. Allergies: If you have a history of allergies to mold or other environmental allergens, you may be more susceptible to allergic reactions from Alternaria.
3. Immunodeficiency: If you have a weakened immune system, you may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of Alternaria.
4. Exposure to large amounts of mold: If you are exposed to high levels of Alternaria, for example, in a mold-contaminated building or through contaminated food, you may experience more severe symptoms.
5. Environmental factors: Alternaria thrives in warm, damp environments, so living in a humid or damp environment may increase your risk of exposure.
6. Occupation: Certain occupations, such as agriculture or construction, may have a higher risk of exposure to Alternaria.

Symptoms of exposure to Alternaria can include nasal and eye irritation, coughing, wheezing, and other respiratory symptoms. In some cases, exposure to Alternaria can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems. If you experience symptoms of mold exposure, it’s important to seek medical attention, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or a weakened immune system.

5. How to Treat Alternaria mold health effects

Upon catching the symptoms, it is advised to see the doctor and get your body examined. Depending on the exposure, the doctor will suggest you see the ENT specialist or other.

When you suspect any Alternaria infestation, you can identify their presence using the professional air testing for mold by taking up the surface sampling to do further test and analysis.

Prolonged exposure may cause serious health consequences because Alternaria grows in time, and spread quickly to build the colony throughout the house. When growing on a non-porous surface, you can easily remove mold with the home treatment using the antimicrobial solution.

However, the mold can be very persistent and difficult to remove unless you’re hiring the professional help.

To prevent Alternaria from heavily colonizing your house, it is paramount to keep the humidity level moderate. During the dry and summer days, you may want to conduct a mold inspection just in case it’s hiding behind the door wall.

Conclusion

Alternaria is a type of mold that commonly grows indoors and outdoors, and is often found in damp or humid environments such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. It is a common allergen and can cause various health effects, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems.

Some of the common characteristics of Alternaria include:

• Dark green or brownish-black in color
• A fuzzy or velvety texture
• Often found in clusters or colonies
• May have a musty or earthy smell

The health effects of Alternaria can vary depending on the individual’s sensitivity and the level of exposure. Some of the common health effects of Alternaria exposure include:

• Allergic reactions: Alternaria is a common allergen and can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin rash.
• Respiratory problems: Exposure to Alternaria can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
• Infection: In rare cases, Alternaria can cause infection in individuals with weakened immune systems. This can lead to symptoms such as fever, cough, and chest pain.

If you suspect that you have been exposed to Alternaria and are experiencing symptoms, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional. Do not forget about disease control. To prevent exposure to Alternaria, it is important to keep your indoor environment dry and well-ventilated, and to regularly clean and inspect areas that are prone to mold growth, such as bathrooms and kitchens.