Dust mite allergy
What helps with a mite allergy?
How to recognize a mite allergy
On average, each household in Germany has up to a hundred different species of animals. These are mostly spiders, ants, and various beetles. Mites are also found in almost every household. The presence of these little creatures has nothing to do with a lack of hygiene. Rather, an apartment serves as the natural habitat for many species. Mites, or house dust mites, are practically not found outside of an apartment. Mites are arachnids that are completely harmless. House dust mites do not bite and do not transmit diseases. The coexistence of humans and mites occurs completely unnoticed, even though humans and house dust mites live in direct contact with each other. Mites are not visible to the naked eye. In one gram of house dust, thousands of tiny mites live. Mites also do not make themselves known through mite bites or mite stings. Therefore, these small arachnids cannot trigger an insect venom allergy. House dust mites only become a problem when humans develop an allergy. Depending on the severity of the allergy to mites (mite feces), treatment by a specialist can be carried out (allergy vaccination).
Causes of a mite allergy
The triggers of a dust mite allergy are not the dust mites themselves, but the droppings secreted by the mites. The droppings of the mites are therefore the main allergen or more precisely, certain protein substances contained in the mite droppings. Why exactly allergic reactions occur against dust mites or mite excretions is not yet scientifically clarified. It is certain that the immune system of allergy sufferers classifies the allergen secreted by mites as dangerous and thus triggers a physical reaction.
Specific allergy symptoms are triggered by mites in the bed
The bed is the preferred habitat of dust mites. Because even though dust mites like to stay in upholstered furniture and carpets, the bed usually offers them the perfect living environment. Dust mites in the bed find warmth and moisture there. Dust mites feed on human skin flakes. Dust mites in the bed find skin flakes plentiful in the mattresses and therefore feel particularly comfortable in mattresses. When the mite droppings present in mattresses, pillows, and carpets are stirred up and inhaled by an allergy sufferer through the air, it triggers an allergic reaction. The excretions contained in the dust settle on the eyes, in the nose, and the lungs. The consequences are the typical complaints of a dust mite allergy.
Mite allergy: Runny nose and watery eyes are symptoms
A dust mite allergy or mite allergy is noticeable through some typical symptoms. Many of these symptoms, however, resemble other allergies, such as a pet hair allergy, hay fever, or pollen allergy. The symptoms of a mite allergy are not unlike those of a cold. Symptoms of a dust mite allergy or mite allergy include
- runny nose
- blocked nose
- Dust mite attacks
- Watery eyes
- Red eyes
If the allergy is more pronounced, patients also suffer from
- Irritated airways and coughing
- Difficulty breathing and wheezing
These symptoms, also called exercise-induced asthma, occur particularly frequently in children.
House dust allergy can be detected with an allergy test
The symptoms of a house dust allergy resemble the symptoms of other allergies (pet hair allergy, pollen allergy, hay fever). If there is a suspicion of a house dust allergy or dust mite allergy, an allergy test can be conducted. The test not only helps to clearly identify an allergy but also to distinguish it from other allergies. A specialist can make the diagnosis based on specific allergy tests:
- Prick test
In a prick test, allergenic substances or the test solution are dripped onto the forearm. Small pricks allow the test solution to penetrate the skin. After about 20 minutes, the area treated with the test solution is examined. If it shows redness, an allergic reaction can be assumed.
- Blood test
Using a blood sample, specific antibodies directed against house dust mite allergens can be detected.
The prick test and the blood test indicate an allergy to house dust mite allergens. The test that provides a clear proof is the
- Nasal provocation test
In this test, a house dust mite allergen is administered into the nose. If the typical symptoms occur afterwards, a dust mite allergy can be assumed.
Treatment of a mite allergy
The most important measure for allergy sufferers is the avoidance of allergens (allergen avoidance). Allergy sufferers who suffer from a mite allergy can take measures to keep the mite concentration in the home and especially in the bed low. If the mite concentration is low, it naturally has a positive effect on the allergen exposure in the air.
- Allergy sufferers should regularly clean bed linens
- Allergy sufferers should avoid dust collectors
- Allergy sufferers should use mite covers for mattresses
- Allergy sufferers should pay attention to cool room air in the bedroom
If these measures are not sufficient to alleviate the symptoms of a mite allergy, desensitization can help a mite allergy sufferer.
Desensitization against mite allergy
Desensitization, also known as immunotherapy or allergy vaccination, is a therapy for allergy sufferers. Patients suffering from a mite allergy receive the allergy-triggering allergen in low concentration during treatment. The allergenic substance is administered every four to six weeks. This allergy treatment lasts about three years and is a measure to get rid of the allergy in the long term.
Further measures for a mite allergy
People suffering from an allergy can take various measures to alleviate the symptoms. Various items and aids are also offered that can help keep allergen exposure in households low:
- Vacuum cleaners that have special anti-mite filters
- Mite covers for mattresses
- Sprays that serve to protect against mites
See also: House dust mites, Bed bugs, Pesticides