Cladosporium herbarum

Cladosporium is a common mold that can affect the inside or outside of a person’s home.

Most species of Cladosporium do not cause disease in humans. However, long-term exposure to a large amount of any mold, including Cladosporium, can cause adverse health effects, including allergies and asthma symptoms.

Other ailments caused by Cladosporium can include the following:

- eye infections
- ear infections
- skin problems
- sinus infections

The most common health issues from Cladosporium exposure are new or worsening allergies or asthma.

Cladosporium exposure affects people differently. Some people experience no effects from exposure at all. Others who develop an allergy to Cladosporium may have any combination of the following symptoms:

- sneezing
- dry skin
- hives
- itchy throat and eyes
- watery eyes
- coughing
- stuffy or a runny nose
- postnasal drip

In some cases, people with untreated mold allergies and prolonged exposure to molds develop allergic fungal sinusitis.

Sinusitis of this kind results from long-term exposure to an allergen, such as Cladosporium, that gets finely dispersed into the air. The allergen causes fungal debris to grow in a person’s sinus cavities.

In these cases, a person with allergic fungal sinusitis caused by Cladosporium may have the following symptoms:

- long-term nasal congestion
- postnasal drip
- recurring sinus headaches

In other cases, people with Cladosporium allergies may experience asthma symptoms triggered by the exposure to the mold. In these cases, a person may have the following asthma symptoms, in addition to their allergy symptoms:

- wheezing
- tightness in the chest
- coughing
- shortness of breath

Exposure to Cladosporium can sometimes trigger severe asthma attacks, the symptoms of which include:

- severe shortness of breath
- difficulty breathing
- chest tightness and pain
- symptoms that do not respond to a fast-acting inhaler

Anyone experiencing a severe asthma attack should seek emergency medical attention.

Possible treatment options:

Using a nasal decongestant may help to relieve the symptoms of a Cladosporium allergy.

There are several ways of treating Cladosporium-induced allergies, including the following:

- limiting Cladosporium exposure by removal and prevention
- over-the-counter allergy medication
- prescription allergy medication
- immunotherapy
- nasal rinses

There are many medications that a doctor can recommend or prescribe to a person with a Cladosporium allergy. These medications may include a combination of the following:

- prescription or over-the-counter nasal sprays
- antihistamines
- oral or nasal decongestants

People with allergic fungal sinusitis may need surgery to remove the mold particles and blockages from their sinus cavities.

People with asthma can be prescribed rescue inhalers or inhaled steroids to manage and reduce their asthma symptoms.

Cladosporium, a well known trigger for asthmatic attacks, is one of the most widespread molds.

Cladosporium includes about 40 species naturally found in soil, on decaying plant material and as plant pathogens. 

In an indoor environment, Cladosporium spp. occur as secondary wall colonizers, appearing after the primary ones such as Penicillium species, Aspergillus versicolor and Wallemia sebi. Cladosporiumis very common on wet building material (e.g., gypsum board, acrylic painted walls, wood, wallpaper, carpet and mattress dust, HVAC fans, and wet insulation in mechanical cooling units).