Dorothy FarrarHouse dust allergy
House dust allergy is a hypersensitivity to the feces of the dust mite (Dermatophagoides). Therefore, one must correctly speak of a dust mite allergy. In addition to pollen allergy, dust mite allergy is the second most common allergy of all. About one in ten people in Germany suffers from this allergy.
What is a house dust allergy?
House dust mite allergy is attributed to allergy type I. The allergens, as the substances to which one is allergic, are distributed as dust in the breathing air. The body is allergic to these.
This is the feces of the small dust mites (Dermatophagoides), which are found in every household. A house dust allergy should definitely be treated, as in the worst case it can develop into lung disease or asthma.
Causes
The house dust mite allergy is triggered by the mites living in house dust, more precisely the feces of these mites. Dust mites are among the arachnids and can be found in every apartment. Even with meticulous cleanliness, dust mites are present.Even those who pay attention to sufficient hygiene in their own four walls will not be able to avoid the dust mites. Diseases are not transmitted through them. The dust mite is only about half a millimeter in size and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
They feed on the hair and skin scales that humans lose every day. Especially at temperatures from 25 degrees Celsius and high humidity, the mites feel comfortable and a corresponding intensification of the symptoms occurs.
When to see a doctor?
If a dust mite allergy is suspected, the family doctor or an allergist should be consulted. Typical warning signs that should be clarified are cough and runny nose, shortness of breath, sore throat and itching. If you notice these symptoms over a period of several days, it is best to call a doctor. If a respiratory emergency occurs for the first time and in case of particularly severe complaints, the nearest doctor’s office should be visited immediately. In case of severe shortness of breath, circulatory problems or circulatory collapse, an emergency doctor must be alerted immediately.
It may be a life-threatening allergic shock that needs to be treated promptly. If action is taken early, serious complications can be avoided. However, if the symptoms remain untreated, organ failure and finally death of the affected person occur. Therefore, it is better to clarify and treat a house dust allergy too early than too late. The allergy passport issued as part of the diagnosis enables targeted treatment in medical emergencies – another reason to consult a doctor immediately with the symptoms of a house dust allergy.
Symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of house dust allergy:
- Sneeze
Unlike hay fever, for example, the symptoms of house dust allergy are present all year round. While pollen only causes symptoms a few weeks a year, dust mites are always present. However, the stress caused by the warm heating air is greatest in winter. Unfortunately, you can hardly avoid this. Incidentally, the symptoms of house dust allergy are most noticeable at night and in the early morning.
Watery and itchy eyes, sneezing fits, coughing and runny nose can occur with a house dust allergy as well as various allergic reactions of the skin. A sore throat is also not uncommon, as is swelling of the nasal or pharyngeal mucosa. In particularly severe cases, asthma and shortness of breath can also occur.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose a house dust allergy, the doctor must first find out when and where the symptoms occur more frequently. At Allergy Test with the corresponding allergen finally provides precise information. This test is also called Prick Test ; Various allergens are applied to the forearm and the underlying skin is lightly scratched with a needle.
If there is an Allergy to one of the substances, the skin will react with react Reddening or swelling . Blood tests and a provocation test ultimately provide certainty about the existence of a corresponding allergy.
Complications
The house dust mite allergy is one of the most common allergies, but often progresses without major complications. For affected patients, it is often sufficient to wipe the apartment with a damp cloth, avoid dust collectors such as pillows and, if necessary, take an antihistamine to keep the allergy under control. Nevertheless, there are always cases in which complications of varying degrees occur. For example, children usually cannot control themselves from rubbing itchy eyes with their fists over and over again, and in this way they can aggravate the allergic conjunctivitis of the eyes.
Another complication relates to the runny nose that the house dust allergy triggers: In more severe cases, the constant dampness, constant sneezing and itching can result in an unpleasant inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
The sensitive skin around the nose can also become inflamed if you blow your nose constantly. As with many other allergies, bronchial asthma is a feared complication of house dust allergy. This so-called change of levels from the upper airways down to the lower airways can occur if the patient is exposed to a large amount of dust in their environment.
A seasonal additional allergy, such as the often severe allergy to birch pollen, can also weaken the immune system to such an extent that, in addition to the symptoms in the nose and eyes, there is also asthma that requires treatment.
treatment and therapy
In order to combat a house dust mite allergy, it is first necessary to combat the trigger, i.e. the mites. However, despite intensive hygiene, you will hardly be able to achieve a completely mite-free apartment. Incidentally, you can quickly find out the degree of mite pollution in your own home with a test that is available in most pharmacies. The first step in combating the symptoms of a house dust allergy is to replace the mattresses. Certain mattress covers, also known as encasings, are commercially available.
Furthermore, allergen-proof covers are useful; if you don’t want to buy these, you should wash the duvet covers regularly at least 60 degrees Celsius. Also available are special allergy bedding, which is intended to prevent the mites from reproducing. Mite sprays and detergent additives are other ways to effectively combat mites.
The doctor will also prescribe so-called Antihistamines . If these drugs do not work successfully against the house dust allergy, the doctor will probably try to desensitize it. In this therapy, the allergen is injected under the skin at least once a week for a period of about three years. This therapy is particularly successful in children and in those who have had an allergy for only a short time.
Prevention
You cannot prevent a house dust mite allergy, but if you have an existing allergy, you can do a lot to prevent the allergic symptoms as far as possible. As a preventive measure, it is important to always ventilate all rooms sufficiently and to keep them dry. You should also check your mattresses regularly and replace them after eight years at the latest.Vacuum cleaners with special fine dust filters are now also commercially available – these not only clean the floor hygienically, but also the air. If possible, you should avoid too many dust collectors such as books or stuffed animals.
Incidentally, all places that are higher than 1,200 meters above sea level are very suitable for allergy sufferers, because the mites do not feel comfortable here. Last but not least, waterbeds are also a real insider tip, because the mites do not feel comfortable here.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.