What Are the Treatments for a Dust Mite Allergy?

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed on dead skin cells from human beings, according to the Mayo Clinic. They exist in warm and humid places and can be found wherever people are; many dust mites live in beds, carpeting and furniture. Some people exposed to dust mites may have allergic reactions like sneezing, asthma, skin irritation, runny nose and watery eyes. Luckily, there's relief for people with dust mite allergies---a combination of treating the allergic person and her surrounding environment may reduce symptoms greatly.

Clean, Maintain and Protect

• The Patient Education Institute, a company that publishes health education resources, recommends washing all bedding material on a weekly basis with hot water, ideally at 130 degrees Fahrenheit, as this is the temperature that effectively kills dust mites; you may also dry clean your bedding. Regularly cleaning, vacuuming and maintaining surfaces in the house such as upholstered furniture and carpeting gets rid of dust mites' food supply, and therefore, reduces dust mite population, according to Mayo Clinic.

  After cleaning thoroughly, it's important to protect your bedding with allergen-proof covers and encasements, which are designed to keep out dust mites and other particles that may be potential allergens.

Modify Living Space

• Avoid clutter in the bedroom to prevent dust and dust mites from accumulating. For example, get rid of draperies, and store away books, clothes and other items in drawers or closets, suggests the Patient Education Institute. If you have carpeting on your bedroom floor or throughout the house, you may want to consider getting it removed, as dust mites and mold tend to thrive in the warmth and humidity of carpeting; hardwood floors are better for allergy-prone individuals.

Environmental Control

• Controlling the humidity and temperature of your home may also address dust mite allergies; cool and dry environments are unfavorable conditions for dust mites. The Patient Education Institute suggests dehumidifying your home to less than 50 percent humidity and keeping it at or under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Using air purifiers can help filter out dust that is floating in the air; however, they will not be completely effective against dust mites since dust mites tend to settle to the floor shortly after being airborne, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Medications

• You may have to take medication to treat your dust mite allergy.

  If environmental treatments alone do not help, you may need to use medicines for your allergies. Various medications are available in prescription strength or over the counter, depending on the severity of your allergies and what works for you; consult a doctor to find out the best treatment plan. Some medicines that may alleviate your symptoms include antihistamines (such as Benadryl, Claritin and Allegra), which block the production of chemicals that cause allergic reactions; corticosteroid nasal sprays (such as Flonase), which decrease the inflammation in your nose; and decongestants (such as Sudafed) to help you breathe better if you have a stuffy nose, according to the Mayo Clinic and Family Doctor.

  When these treatments prove to be ineffective, you and your doctor may consider allergy shots, which help build your immunity against allergens such as dust mites. The doctor will start out by injecting you with a small amount of dust mite protein and slowly build up the dosage over time as your body becomes accustomed and tolerates the dust mite.