Alternaria Mold

There are 40 varieties of Alternaria mold. Typically, it occurs outdoors during the spring and summer months and accounts for major plant damage on trees and bushes. When the mold spores become airborne, it quickly spreads both outdoors and indoors. The spores may settle on your clothing, furniture, and houseplants. The spores also invade the area beneath carpets, basements, showers, attics, and the interior of walls. In a home with high humidity, the mold starts to grow. It can cause the inhabitants of the home to suffer from allergies, asthma. In some cases, it may lead to esophageal cancer. Cold-like symptoms may occur after exposure, such as sneezing, fatigue, headache, runny nose, throat irritation, and watery eyes. Skin rashes and itching can occur. 


 

Aspergillus Mold

There are 250 species of Aspergillus mold. It starts as a white fungal growth and quickly turns brown, black, yellow, and green (the hue changes depending on the species). The spores are spread via the air both indoors and outdoors. Unlike some types of mold, Aspergillus grows well in relatively low humidity and invades doors, windows, walls, pillows, and carpets. Exposure to Aspergillus mold may lead to Aspergillosis, a form of a respiratory infection that can spread throughout the body. The fungus forms fungal balls inside the body cavities such as the lung. Sufferers experience fever, coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Treatment consists of the administration of antifungal medications. 

Aureobasidium Mold

Aureobasidium mold grows on painted or wooden surfaces. It can also occur behind wallpaper. The mold forms a pink, brown, or black color. At maturity, it develops into a dark brown. Exposure to the mold species can cause infections of the eye, nails, and skin. Dermatitis may occur if your bare skin comes into contact with the mold.

Chaetomium Mold

Chaetomium mold develops into white fuzzy growths that eventually form a bluish-green coloration. The spores appear dark brown and are shaped like a tiny football. They spread through the air and often grow in cellulose-rich material such as drywall, wood, or ceiling tiles. Several species of Chaetomium mold can be carcinogens. They may cause skin and nail infections. On rare occasions, the spores may lead to brain infections.

Cladosporium Mold

Cladosporium mold is a common mold that thrives in damp basements, bathrooms, attics, and near HVAC systems. Exposure to the mold might not cause any symptoms in some individuals. However, others may experience sneezing, dry skin, coughing, postnasal drip, watery eyes, itching throat, and stuffy nose. A severe allergic reaction may lead to a feeling of tightness in the chest, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

Fusarium Mold

Fusarium mold is extremely dangerous to even healthy individuals. It can cause onychomycosis, a nail infection, and keratomycosis, an infection of the cornea. Left untreated, it can lead to scarring and blindness. Some individuals may develop a systemic infection when the spores enter the bloodstream. This form of mold usually occurs in areas around a water leak.

Penicillium Mold

Penicillium mold appears blue and green and has a velvety texture. This mold type often occurs in water-damaged homes on wallpaper, ducts, carpets, and mattresses. It spreads quickly in the home. Certain individuals may experience an allergic reaction, which may cause pulmonary inflammation and asthma. Some individuals may also experience chronic sinusitis. Penicillium mold is used to create a potent and historic antibiotic, but many people are allergic to the species.

Trichoderma Mold

Trichoderma mold is what is known as a filamentous fungus that grows naturally on plants, in soil, and wood. Once the spores take hold, the fungi divide rapidly. The Trichoderma species spreads indoors and concentrates on various building materials with a high cellulose content such as fabric, wood, and paper. This variety of mold often infiltrates the home’s HVAC system. The colonies of mold appear white or cream-colored. Susceptible individuals may start to sneeze and cough when exposed to the species. 

Ulocladium Mold

Ulocladium mold appears dark. It occurs on paper, paint, wood, and textiles. Usually, it grows best in homes that have sustained extreme water damage. You’ll notice the mold around windows that suffer extreme condensation and in basements and kitchens. It is not uncommon for the mold to grow alongside Stachybotrys, fusarium, and chaetomium. Certain people may develop severe reactions that are comparable to hay fever when exposed to the mold.

Serpula Lacrymans

Serpula lacrymans typically causes dry rot in wood. This very destructive mold can quickly degrade the cellulose. Sadly, it is hard to control and leads to widespread damage. Unlike most mold varieties, Serpula lacrymans transports its water from other locations, which is why it survives on dry wood. This mold variety even grows through dry mortar, plaster, and masonry. The health risks of mold exposure to this variety remain unknown.

Stachybotrys Chartarum Mold

Stachybotrys chartarum mold is usually referred to as “black mold.” The mold spores of this variety grow best on gypsum board, paper, and fiberboard in areas with sustained water damage from flooding or water leaks. It also grows in areas with high condensation. It requires a constant supply of moisture to remain alive. This form of mold may lead to idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants.
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