Mold Allergy

Mold allergy (ICD-10 Z91.0) refers to the occurrence of immediate-type allergic symptoms (type I allergy) after contact with mold spores and/or other mold constituents. Molds can cause both type I and type III allergies.

Mold allergy belongs to the environmental diseases. It is considered certain that damp, moldy rooms pose a health risk. Molds are mainly inhalative allergens that are widely distributed in indoor as well as outdoor air. The most common allergens are Aspergillus and Penicillium (mostly indoor) and Alternaria and Cladosporium (mostly outdoor).

Seasonal accumulation of the disease: mold allergy occurs throughout the year. Outdoors, the concentration is highest in summer and fall (increase depending on humidity).

Transmission of mold spores and/or other mold components is aerogenic (airborne).

Sex ratio: balanced.

The prevalence (disease frequency) of mold allergy is between 4 and 8 % (in Germany). In atopics and asthmatics the prevalence can be up to 33 %.

Course and prognosis: A mold allergy usually persists for a lifetime. Consequently, the affected person must consistently implement mold prevention and control measures. This will prevent allergic symptoms or reduce them to a minimum. Too frequent contact with mold spores can promote the development of allergic asthma. In the long term, a mold allergy can be reduced in its symptoms and often even cured by specific immunotherapy (SIT). Mold allergy sufferers often react to other allergens as well.

Risk groups to be particularly protected from mold allergy are: Patients under immunosuppression, with cystic fibrosis or bronchial asthma, as well as patients with an increased risk of developing asthma (“floor change”). This applies in particular to patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (allergic disease of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis) and conjunctiva of the eyes (conjunctivitis)), allergic rhinosinusitis (simultaneous inflammation of the nasal mucosa (“rhinitis”) and inflammation of the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis)) and patients with atopy (persons with a predisposition to hypersensitivity reactions including. .a. allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis) to contact with environmental substances) [S3 guideline: see below].