How to Identify Dust Mite Allergy Triggers

The symptoms of a dust mite allergy closely resemble the symptoms of asthma, or other types of pollen-based respiratory conditions. To find out whether you have a dust mite allergy, you need to identify the triggers that cause such symptoms as watery eyes, chest and nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing and sneezing.

Things You'll Need

• Non-allergenic laundry detergent
• Dust mite encasings for mattresses and pillows

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine whether the symptoms of a dust mite allergy are more pronounced when you are in bed. Dust mites congregate in bedding, and inside pillows and mattresses, since they survive on the dead skin cells that you shed while you are asleep. Many individuals with dust mite allergies experience an increase in the severity of symptoms while they sleep, and when they first get up in the morning.

• 2

  Identify triggers of a dust mite allergy by seeing whether symptoms appear when you are close to carpeting, such as when you are lying or sitting on the floor. The fibers in carpeting can support millions of dust mites, especially since food particles, pet dander and dead skin cells usually wind up on the floor.

• 3

  See whether dusting or cleaning your home triggers symptoms of a dust mite allergy. Remember that a medium-sized dust bunny can contain tens of thousands of dust mites, and that a day of scrubbing and sweeping can kick up millions of mites, along with their fecal matter, which is what actually triggers allergy symptoms. Opening up all the windows to your house while you clean may also trigger an allergic reaction, since it stirs up dust mites and debris.

• 4

  Wash all of your bedding in hot water (at least 130 degrees) to see whether there is a reduction in dust mite allergy symptoms. You may want to try a non-allergenic laundry detergent for even better results in controlling the dust mite population in your home.

• 5

  Try other methods of reducing the dust mite population in your home to identify allergy triggers. You may want to use plastic mattress covers, known as dust mite encasings, to isolate dust mites from your bedding. You may also wish to remove carpeting, drapes and curtains from your home to see wheether there is an improvement in your allergy symptoms.