House Dust Mite Allergy

The best way to fight dust mite allergy is to avoid humidity and dust concentration in the house. Although it is impossible to eradicate these insects completely, dry and clean environments prevent their proliferation indiscriminately.

Allergy to dust mites is one the most common allergies in the world today. It is not easy to manage, because dust mites are mainly present in dust and dust is everywhere. Controlling the problem will therefore require continuous efforts.

Dust mite allergy causes various manifestations such as sneezing, watery eyes, itchy nose, and even unwanted skin reactions. Today, this type of allergy is considered to play a major role in problems such as asthma, even more so than other substances such as pollen.

It is virtually impossible to remove dust mites from the home or workplace. However, it is well established that with a few basic measures dust mite allergy can be controlled and symptoms can be minimized.

Acarians

Mites are microscopic animals of the arachnid family that are found in various environments. The mites are the main cause of allergy in humans. It is estimated that 10-20% of the population is susceptible to these organisms.

They are mainly present in hot and humid environments. Mites feed primarily on human or animal skin. Man loses about one gram of skin per day.

Allergy to dust mites is triggered by the feces that these animals leave on our skin , or also by the dead mites that remain there. These intruders mainly lodge in objects made of fabric or textile fibers, such as pillows, mattresses, upholstered furniture, rugs, curtains, etc.

Dust mite allergy

Allergy to dust mites is an immunological reaction to these insects . The manifestations are similar to those of allergic rhinitis or hay fever. This includes sneezing and runny mucus. Asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing or trouble breathing, can also occur.

The nasal congestion , the itching in the nose, ears or throat, eye irritation, swelling of the eyelids, hives and coughing are also common . Symptoms of rhinitis appear mainly in the early hours of the morning.

The dust mite allergy can be more or less serious. In its milder forms, it only causes mild nasal congestion and occasional tearing of the eyes. When the allergy is severe, symptoms appear constantly and are often associated with asthma.

Causes and risk factors

Any allergy is an immune response to an outside agent. In this case, the immune system produces antibodies to defend the body against this agent. The immune system identifies this agent as a harmful factor, even if it is not.

The substance that causes the allergy is called an allergen. When it comes into contact with the body, it reacts by causing inflammation of the nasal passages or lungs. If you are in constant contact with the allergen, the inflammation also becomes continuous and can lead to asthma.

People with a family history of allergy are more likely to develop a dust mite allergy. The same goes for children and young people, especially if they live in a dusty environment. The problem is detected by allergy skin tests or allergy blood tests.

Other facts to keep in mind about dust mite allergy

The best strategy for combating dust mite allergy is to minimize exposure to dust mites. To do this, measures are taken to remove dust as much as possible. It is better to use a damp cloth to wipe off the dust, as this prevents it from spreading into the environment.

It is advisable to regularly vacuum upholstered furniture, rugs, curtains, etc. The vacuum cleaner must be equipped with a suitable filter to remove dust effectively. The best, in any case, is to maintain order and not to accumulate objects so that the dust does not collect.

It is not recommended to have rugs if someone in the house is allergic to dust mites. On the other hand, it is better to wash the bed linen once a week and choose antiallergic pillows and blankets.

In some cases, the doctor will prescribe allergy treatment. In principle, this includes antihistamine drugs, decongestants, corticosteroids and others. He can also start immunotherapy treatment.