|  | Conditions Treatments | Allergies

House Dust Mites & Allergies

Dust mites are the main cause of year-round allergies, according to Medicine Net. If you have dust mites in your house, it does not mean that the house is unclean; dust mites can live even in the cleanest of homes. Dust mites live everywhere in the world except for Antarctica. Unfortunately, there is no escaping dust mites if you are allergic to them, but there are steps you can take to reduce symptoms.

  1. Dust Mites

    • Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that live in bedding, mattresses, pillows, carpets, rugs, curtains, couches, plush toys and other household items and furniture. Dust mites live best in humid, warm temperature conditions. They eat the skin cells that humans shed on a daily basis.

    Dust Mite Allergies

    • Humans that are allergic to dust mites are not actually allergic to the dust mites themselves, but to a protein in the waste they produce. According to the Mayo Clinic, "If you have dust mite allergy, your body generates an allergy-causing antibody to a protein found in the dust mite debris. In other words, it's mistakenly identified this protein as something that could harm you."

    Allergy Symptoms

    • Symptoms of dust mite allergies include: sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, postnasal drip, facial pressure, difficulty sleeping and circles under the eye. If you have asthma, symptoms of a dust mite allergy also include: difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest and coughing. These symptoms can range anywhere from almost nonexistent to so severe and troublesome as to require a trip to the emergency room.

    Allergy Treatments

    • Your doctor may suggest several types of treatments. Medications your doctor may suggest include: antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids. Other types of treatment include routine allergy shots and the use of a neti pot, which is a device used to rinse out the nasal passage with saline water.

    Allergy Prevention

    • There is no way to completely prevent dust mite allergy symptoms, but you can reduce them with lifestyle changes. The changes suggested by the Mayo Clinic and Medicine Net include: weekly washing of bedding; allergen-proof bed and pillow covers; using dehumidifiers; regularly washing plush toys; dusting and vacuuming regularly; and using an air purifier. Medicine Net also suggests removing carpet or moving into a place with wood floors or tile floors; avoiding wool blankets; substituting blinds instead of curtains and having someone else do chores such as dusting and vacuuming.

Allergies - Related Articles