House Dust Mite
House Dust Mite
What is House Dust Mite sensitivity?
Allergies which affect you for all or most of the year are commonly referred to as perennial. Perennial rhinitis is most often due to an allergy to the House Dust Mite.
House Dust Mite allergy is caused by sensitivity to the waste products of microscopic mites, which are present in all of our homes. They thrive in moist warm environments and are especially found in soft furnishings, cuddly toys and our beds.
Although complete allergen avoidance is virtually impossible, there are a number of ways to assist you in reducing the levels of mite allergen in your home.
How do I know if I’m allergic to House Dust Mites?
House Dust Mite sensitivity causes symptoms similar to hay fever. These symptoms are often present all year round and may be more severe when indoors and especially noticeable early morning and when in bed.
Your Doctor will take a detailed history which will include the timing, severity and nature of your symptoms. If it is appropriate they will either take a blood sample to look for the specific antibodies found in House Dust Mite allergy or request that you have a skin prick test.
Skin prick tests are a reliable method of testing for allergies. Small droplets of the suspected allergen are placed on the skin. This droplet of solution is pierced with a small lancet and the results are available to see on the arm within 15 minutes.
What are the symptoms?
- Itchy, runny or congested nose.
- Excessive sneezing.
- Coughing, tight chest, wheezing, shortness of breath.
- Irritable, itching, watering eyes.
- Itchy skin, rashes, wheals (hives).
- Congested sinuses and headache.
- Disturbed sleep.
- Poor concentration.
- Symptoms generally worse indoors, in bed or early morning.
How can I reduce levels of House Dust Mite in my home?
A number of studies have been carried out over the years and unfortunately there is no product available that will completely remove House Dust Mites. Reducing the levels in your home may reduce the severity of your allergic symptoms. You should focus your efforts on areas of the house where house dust mites are highest i.e. the bedroom and living areas.
- Consider renewing old mattresses and pillows.
- If affordable, use allergen proof covers on pillows, mattresses and quilts.
- Wash bedding regularly (every one or two weeks) on a hot cycle (washing at 60 degrees will kill the mites).
- Keep the house especially the bedroom cool and aired.
- Turn the bed covers back in the morning to air the bed.
- Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner containing a hepa filter. Consider replacing bedroom carpets with hard flooring (wood, laminate, tiles) if possible.
- Childrens soft toys should be kept to a minimum and washed on a hot cycle as above and if not possible place the toy in the freezer compartment (protect by placing in a plastic bag).
- Reduce the amount of soft furnishings in the bedrooms and living areas; replace fabric sofas with wipeable fabrics where possible.
- Use a damp cloth when cleaning hard surfaces (the dust particles will stick to the cloth and prevent them from becoming airborne).
- Avoid drying wet or damp clothes inside especially in the bedroom.
What treatment is available?
Your Doctor may ask you to try as many avoidance steps as is practical and affordable. Allergen avoidance will often be discussed in addition to medication such as anti histamine tablets and/or nasal sprays.
If you continue to experience troublesome or severe symptoms despite taking your medication as prescribed, please discuss this with your Doctor.
For certain severe allergies, allergen immunotherapy is a treatment that may be used in patients who continue to experience troublesome symptoms despite regular medication. Please discuss this with your Doctor because it may not be suitable for all patients.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is suitable for people who cannot control their allergy symptoms using anti allergic medication. It works by stimulating a protective immune response in the body that should reduce or even prevent allergic symptoms to a particular allergen, such as House Dust Mites. It requires repeated administration of a small amount of allergen extract to reduce symptoms and the need for rescue medication.
Immunotherapy may be given by subcutaneous injections or sublingually (drops/tablet under the tongue) for a period of 3 -5 years.