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Dust mites are eight-legged microscopic organisms resembling spiders and ticks. They flourish in warm, moist habitats. In most homes, various items like bedding, carpeting, and upholstered furniture provide an ideal environment for dust mites.
These feed on the flakes of skin that people and pets shed daily. They are considered to be the most common trigger of allergies and asthma. Dust mites also have cross-reactivity with other allergens, leading to various food allergies as well.
A dust mite allergy ranges from mild to severe forms. In the case of milder forms of allergy, the patient experiences a rare running nose, watery secretion from the eyes, and sneezing. In severe cases, the condition may be long-standing and chronic, which results in constant sneezing, cough, nasal congestion, facial pressure, an eczema flare-up, or severe asthma attack.
Apart from that, dust mite allergy symptoms caused due to inflammation of nasal passages include:
If the dust mite allergy adds to asthma, the patient may also experience the following:
Allergies occur when the immune system comes in contact with foreign substances like pollen or dust mites and reacts accordingly. The immune system identifies the particular allergen as something harmful. It gives rise to antibodies that help to protect individuals from undesired and outer intruders that can cause an infection and make people sick.
The immune system fabricates an inflammatory response in the nasal passages or lungs after contact with allergens. Prolonged or frequent exposure to the allergen can cause the ongoing chronic inflammation associated with asthma. Dust also contains the faeces and decomposed bodies of dust mites called "debris", and it's the proteins present in this dust mite that are the culprit in allergy due to dust mites.The doctor may suspect dust mite allergy based on symptoms and the answers to questions about the home. The doctor can suspect a dust mite allergy if the symptoms worsen while going to bed or cleaning the bedsheets or carpets/mats in the house.
Dust mite allergens are temporarily airborne. If people have a pet at home, it may be even more challenging to establish the reason behind the allergy, particularly if the pet sleeps in the bedroom with the person.
Allergy skin test - The doctor recommends an allergy skin test to decide what type of allergen is involved. The patient is referred to an allergy specialist (allergist). Small amounts of purified allergen extracts (including an extract of dust mites) are inserted into the surface of the skin. This is usually performed on the forearm, considered the most common site, but it may also be carried out on the upper back area.
The doctor or nurse observes the skin for any possible signs of allergic reactions after 15 to 20 minutes. If the patient is allergic to dust mites, they will develop a red, itchy patch where the dust mite extract was injected. These skin tests' most usual side effects include itching and redness. These side effects usually subside within half an hour.
Allergy blood test- Some people can't undergo an allergy skin test because they have a skin condition or consume certain medications that can alter the results. To overcome this hurdle, the doctor may recommend a blood test that provides screening for specific allergy-causing antibodies to several familiar allergens, including dust mites. This test may also reveal how sensitive individuals are to an allergen.
The most potent way to treat dust mite allergies is to eradicate as many dust mites as possible from the home and nearby surroundings.
Doctors may also advise certain medications to reduce the symptoms of dust mite allergies. Doctors prescribe the following:
The following factors increase the chances of establishing this condition:
If an individual has a dust mite allergy, frequent exposure to the mites and their debris can cause certain complications.
Dust mites cannot be fully eradicated from the home and nearby surroundings. However, they can be reduced to a great extent. Reducing dust mites in the house can eliminate or lessen dust mite allergies.
The following activities can help reduce dust mites in the home:
Reviewed by Dr. Anshul Mittal, Consultant, Pulmonology on 29-Dec-2022.
Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
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