Do you also sneeze when you wake up in the morning? Do you feel like your nose is blocked and your eyes are itchy? You might think it's a cold. But if this problem persists, the cause may be a small animal that you don't even think about, and that we can't see with our eyes. Today we are going to talk about this dust mite allergy .
What is Dust Mite Allergy?
Simply put, a dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny creatures called dust mites. Dust mites are tiny, eight-legged creatures that are related to spiders. They are so small that we can't even see them with our eyes.
Imagine, there is dust in our homes. That's where these mites live. In particular, their favorite places to live are:
- We sleep in bed.
- Mattresses
- Pillows
- Upholstered furniture like sofas
- Curtains
- Carpets
These mites' main food is the dead skin cells that fall off us and our pets, so they are all around us.
These mites' poop and dead body parts contain certain types of proteins. These are what we call allergens . Normally, these things are harmless. However, your body's immune system sees these things as "invaders" that are harmful to the body, just like bacteria or viruses. Then, the immune system responds to get rid of those "invaders" from the body. That response is what we experience as allergy symptoms.
Who is more likely to develop this dust mite allergy?
Anyone can develop a dust mite allergy. However, you are more likely to develop this allergy if you have the following conditions:
- If you have asthma .
- If you have skin conditions like eczema .
- If you have hay fever or allergic rhinitis, a condition that often feels like a cold.
- If someone in your family (genetically linked) has allergies like this. We call this atopy . That is, a genetic predisposition to allergies.
How common is this allergy?
Dust mite allergy is very common. For example, about 20 million people in America suffer from this allergy. This condition can be seen among many people in Sri Lanka as well.
How does a dust mite allergy affect my body?
If you have a dust mite allergy, the first time your body is exposed to these mite proteins, it makes a type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) . These IgE antibodies are made to "attack" the allergens. However, as mentioned earlier, these allergens are not actually harmful.
Then, when you're exposed to the dust mite proteins again, your immune system responds even more strongly. That response is what manifests as allergy symptoms.
What are the symptoms of dust mite allergy?
Symptoms of a dust mite allergy may include:
- Congestion: A feeling of stuffiness in the nose .
- Coughing: A persistent, sometimes dry cough.
- Itchy mouth, nose, or throat: A constant feeling of scratching this area.
- Postnasal drip: Postnasal drip or a feeling of mucus running down your throat.
- Red, itchy, and watery eyes: As if something had gotten into the eyes.
- Sneezing: Sneezing several times in a row.
- Wheezing: A whistling sound, especially when breathing out.
- Worsening asthma symptoms: If you have asthma, symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest tightness may increase.
Sometimes these symptoms can be confused with a common cold or a flu-like illness. If you are not sure whether these symptoms are caused by allergies or another illness, it is best to see a doctor for advice.
Is dust mite allergy contagious?
No. Dust mite allergy is not a contagious disease. You cannot catch it from someone else, and you cannot catch it from someone else.
How do you know if you are allergic to dust mites?
If you continue to have the symptoms mentioned above, it is very important to see a doctor. He or she may refer you to an allergist , a doctor who specializes in allergies. An allergist can perform various tests to confirm whether you really have a dust mite allergy.
Before doing these tests, your doctor may ask you questions like:
- Does anyone in your family have dust mite allergies?
- Have you been diagnosed with any other allergies before?
- What are your symptoms?
- Do you use over-the-counter (OTC) medications for these symptoms?
- Do you often hang out in dusty places?
- How often do you vacuum carpets, wash bedding, and clean other dusty areas?
What tests are used to diagnose dust mite allergy?
The doctor may use two main types of tests:
1. Skin prick test / Scratch test:
This involves exposing your skin to a very small amount of dust mite proteins.
- First, the doctor will clean the underside of your arm or upper back with something like alcohol.
- Then, using a very fine needle (lancet), they make a small scratch on the cleaned skin surface, and a solution of dust mite protein is applied to the scratch. The needle doesn't go deep into the skin. You just feel like a little ant is biting you, and there's no blood.
- An allergic reaction usually becomes visible within 15 minutes. The skin may turn red, gray, or white. It may also develop wheals, similar to a mosquito bite.
- The doctor will measure the size of the rash and the red area around it (flare). Based on that size, they will determine whether you have an allergy to dust mites.
This test takes less than an hour.
2. Blood test (Blood IgE test):
In this test, your doctor takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The blood sample is sent to a lab. The lab then adds dust mite proteins to your blood sample and measures the level of IgE antibodies in it. If your IgE levels are high, it means you have a dust mite allergy.
It can take about a week to get the results of a blood test.
Can't you stop being allergic to dust mites?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for dust mite allergy or a way to stop the allergy from occurring. However, your doctor can help you manage your symptoms.
What are the medications for dust mite allergy?
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend the following medications:
- Oral antihistamines: These work by blocking a chemical called histamine. Your allergic cells release this histamine, which causes things like itching, sneezing, and a runny nose. These pills start working within about 30 minutes of taking them.
- Antihistamine nasal sprays: These also block histamine, but they are sprayed into the nose through the nostrils.
- Nasal corticosteroids: These are the most effective single treatment for conditions like hay fever. These are also nasal sprays.
- Leukotriene modifiers: These medications also reduce allergy symptoms, but they can take about 4 to 6 weeks to start working.
- Decongestants: They provide short-term relief when used for nasal congestion, but are not recommended for long-term use.
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy): This involves "training" your immune system to resist dust mite allergens. However, this is not a complete cure for allergies. You need to take these shots continuously for about 6 to 12 months before your symptoms start to decrease. To get the most out of this treatment, you need to take these shots for about 3 to 5 years.
- Dust mite sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops): This involves placing a few drops of a liquid containing dust mite proteins under your tongue every day, as prescribed by your doctor. Over time, your body becomes accustomed to these proteins, and your allergy symptoms will decrease. Symptoms should start to decrease after about six months.
How long do symptoms of a dust mite allergy last?
Once you move away from the environment where dust mite allergens are present, symptoms usually go away within a few hours. However, if you have a severe allergy, symptoms may last for several days.
How can we get rid of these dust mites? How can we reduce dust mites in the house?
Although we can't completely eliminate dust mites from our homes, we can do the following to reduce our exposure to them:
- Use allergy-proof bed covers: Using very thin, allergy-proof bed covers can help prevent dust mites from entering and collecting inside pillows, mattresses, and box springs. Even plastic covers can help with this.
- Wash your bedding regularly: If possible, wash your sheets, pillowcases, and bed linens at least once a week in hot water (at least 60 degrees Celsius / 130 degrees Fahrenheit) . After washing, dry them in the sun if possible, or in a clothes dryer on high for at least 30 minutes. If you don't have a washing machine or dryer, place your sheets in a sealed plastic bag and place them in the freezer for at least 24 hours.
- Reduce humidity in your home: Keep the humidity in your home below 50% to prevent dust mites from breeding. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can help with this.
- Filter the air in your home: Dust mite allergens can easily accumulate in the air, especially when using fans. Using a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air - HEPA filter) can help remove these dust allergens from the air. Clean air filters regularly.
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and other dusty areas regularly: It's a good idea to vacuum at least twice a week. Use a microfilter vacuum bag to prevent dust mite allergens from escaping. It's a good idea to remove rugs and carpets from your home if possible. Consider wearing a mask when vacuuming.
- Wipe down hard surfaces regularly: Use a microfiber cloth or damp cloth to wipe down hard surfaces like tables and shelves to prevent dust mites and allergens from entering the air.
What should I expect if I have a dust mite allergy?
Dust mite allergy cannot be completely cured. However, you can manage your symptoms by staying as far away from dust mite allergens as possible and taking the medications your doctor prescribes.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have persistent symptoms of dust mite allergy, especially if those symptoms are affecting your daily life and work, be sure to see a doctor.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
When you visit the doctor, you can ask questions like these:
- How exactly do you tell if I have a dust mite allergy?
- What allergy medicine do you recommend?
- Can I buy that medicine at the pharmacy without a prescription, or do I need a prescription?
- What are the side effects of the allergy medications you recommend?
- Do I need to take this allergy medicine every day, or is it enough to take it only when symptoms occur?
- How do I know for sure if I have dust mite allergy symptoms, or just a cold or flu?
- Should I see an allergist? Is there anyone you recommend?
Important: Dust mite allergies can be a bit of a nuisance. Your immune system sees dust mite proteins as a harmful invader, so it reacts by releasing histamine. That's what causes all those symptoms. These symptoms may persist until you reduce or avoid dust mites.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
If you have symptoms of dust mite allergy, don't hesitate to see a doctor . He or she can run tests to determine if dust mites are the cause of your symptoms. He or she can also prescribe medications to help control your symptoms. Keeping your home clean, especially your bedroom, can go a long way toward keeping this problem at bay.
` Dust Mite Allergy, Allergies, Itching, Sneezing, Skin Diseases, Respiratory Problems, Treatment, Home Dust Control
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න