Dust mite causes an allergy to some people. If you have a runny nose, hay fever, or sneezing and runny nose, for time being, you are allergic to dust in your near environment.
Severe conditions can lead to difficulty in breathing and wheezing. Even some people experience skin allergy problem due to dust mite.
A serious condition can be arriving if you will not treat your mild symptoms of allergy.
Generally, we all are aware of the cleanliness required for our body. In case you are quite being allergic to dust, it becomes unease.
Dust mites are close relatives of ticks and spiders and are even too small to see without a microscope.
Symptoms for Dust mite allergy
Following are symptoms showing allergic reactions to dust mite, which is caused by inflammation in the nasal passage.
- Sneezing.
- Runny nose.
- Itchy red or watery eyes.
- Nasal congestion.
- Itchy nose, the roof of mouth, or throat.
- Postnasal drip.
- Cough.
- Facial pressure and pain.
- Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes.
Dust mite and Asthma symptoms
Combined symptoms of dust mite allergy and asthma include:
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Chest pain.
- An audible whistling or wheezing sound.
- Trouble sleeping is caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or sneezing.
Symptoms of dust mite allergy can be mild to severe.
If you have only a runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing congress you are only in the mild stage.
Chronic symptoms of high allergy to dust include persistent sneezing, cough, congestion, facial pressure, or even severe asthma attack.
Usually, people suffering from asthma may also need instant relief from food allergies.
Causes of Dust mite allergy
When you get in contact with pollens in the spring seasons, pet dander, or dust mites, your immune system of the body reacts which is known as allergy.
Your immune system reacts by producing proteins known as antibodies.
The particles that your body eventually recognizes as foreign invader or allergen which can be infectious, possibly that may not be the allergen for everybody else.
This is so why some people are more likely to be allergic to dust, some specific items of food, or drugs, etc.
As when an allergen enters in body, an inflammatory response will be produced in your nasal passages and then it enters in lungs. Prolong exposure to the allergen can lead to asthma.
Dust mites that are allergen here eat the organic matter such as skin cells people have shed, and rather than drinking water, dust mites absorb water from humidity in the atmosphere.
Dust also contains fecal matter and decaying bodies of dust mites, and it is the proteins present in the “debris” that are indeed pathogenic.
Is there any risk associated with an allergic reaction to dust?
- Family history factor.
If in your family most of the members of the family have dust mite allergy, you will be more likely to develop sensitivity.
- Long exposure to dust mites.
Early in life, if you are eventually in contact with the dust mites for long, soon you will become allergic to dust mites.
- Dust allergy in early childhood
If you are in childhood or early adulthood, you will be more likely to be allergic to dust mite allergy.
What are complications with dust allergy?
In case you are suffering or have allergic reactions to dust, it may also lead to new complications as well. These can be
1. Sinus infection
Sinus is the hollow cavities connected to your nasal passage.
When in dust mite allergy, inflammation in the nasal passage takes place, then the infection can easily spread to the sinus, which will cause an infection there called sinusitis.
2. Asthma
The risk of asthma attacks that require immediate treatment can come to those who have dust mite allergy.
Currently, dust mite allergies are known as a prime reason for bronchial asthma in the world.
Diagnosis and Treatment remedies
The doctor diagnoses your allergic response to dust, which may similar to dust allergy symptoms.
So, if you are allergic to any airborne, the lining of the nasal passage will become swollen and will appear pale or bluish.
1. Allergy skin test.
Dust mite may cause allergy to your skin.
So, an allergy skin test is conducted to determine whether your skin is allergic to dust mites or not.
The doctor or nurse will put an extract of dust mite allergen on your skin, after 15 min, a reaction or response will be noted.
In case if you are found highly allergic to dust, your skin shows signs of irritation.
An allergic person will have a red, itchy bump where the dust mite was pricked onto your skin.
2. Allergy blood test.
This is suggested to those where the skin test results can be affected due to other medications.
The test may also indicate how sensitive and reactive you are to the dust.
Treatment remedies
The first treatment for controlling the dust mite allergy is to be not getting exposed to dust mites.
Less exposure to areas having dusty air will lead to fewer complications.
Allergic medications
- Antihistamines
When your body reacts to allergens by giving an immune response to producing chemicals like histamines, due to which sneering, runny nose, and itching.
Antihistamine tablets like fluticasone propionate, mometasone, ciclesonide.
2. Decongestants
These help to shrink your swollen tissue in your nasal passage, so that you can breathe easily.
Oral decongestants can increase blood pressure and shouldn’t be taken if you have high blood pressure problems, glaucoma, or cardiovascular diseases.
3. Leukotriene modifiers
It blocks the action of certain immune system chemicals. Doctors will suggest Leukotriens modifier montelukast, which comes in tablet form.
Side effects can be a respiratory infection, headache, and fever. Less common side effects can be behavior or mood changes such as anxiousness, depression.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Use an allergen-proof bed cover. Use mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen blocking covers.
These covers are made of tightly-woven fabric, prevent dust mites from colonizing.
Wash bedding weekly.
Wash all sheets, bedcovers, blankets, pillowcases in hot water of at least 130 F or 54 CELCIUS.
This will kill; dust mites and then dry all to remove all the allergens.
Keep humidity low
Below 50% humidity is quite good. A dehumidifier or air conditioner can help to keep your near surrounding areas humidity low.
Choose to bed wisely
Avoid bedcovers that trap dust particles and are difficult to clean.
Vacuum regularly
Vacuum your carpets and furniture is important. Although the vacuum does not remove dust mites, it reduces the dust.
To help to reduce the dust in your house, use a doubled layered micro filter bag or high-efficiency particulate matter.
In conclusion
Dust mite allergies actually are caused by a byproduct of the mites.
Dust mites survive on dead cells therefore they survive on skin cells and they live in warm and mild environments.
So, you can only get rid of dust mites by taking care of more cleanliness in your home.
Talk to your doctor in case experiencing chronic allergy to dust mites.
