Do you suspect that you may have an allergy to dust mites? If so, it's important to understand the signs and symptoms of dust mite allergies, as well as how to identify and control them in your home. Dust mites, close relatives of ticks and spiders, are too small to see without a microscope and are present in every home. Signs of dust mite allergy include those common to hay fever, such as sneezing and runny nose. Many people with dust mite allergies also have signs of asthma, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.
You can see if you have dust mites by looking at them under a microscope and using a home test kit. If you have an allergic reaction to dust, that's a sign that you have mites in your home. However, dust mites aren't usually a cause for concern. Small mold particles and spores are a common component of household dust and may be the true cause of dust allergy.
If you suspect that you may have an allergy to dust mites, take steps to reduce dust in the house, especially in the bedroom. It tries to eliminate them from the body by releasing histamine, which causes the symptoms of dust mite allergy. In this test, small amounts of purified allergen extracts, including an extract for dust mites, are introduced to the surface of the skin. While you can find dust mites all over the world, these creatures often prefer warm, humid climates.
However, you can take steps to minimize your exposure to dust mite allergens by keeping your home as dust-free as possible. If you have ongoing allergy symptoms throughout the year, it may be worth talking to a doctor about possible dust mite allergies. While it's difficult to completely eliminate them, there are ways to control dust mite populations in the home and, at the same time, treat allergies. People who have dust allergies are familiar with sneezing, but these aren't the only annoying symptom.
Oddly enough, allergy symptoms usually worsen during or right after vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting. Your healthcare provider may recommend or prescribe medicines to treat dust mite allergy symptoms. In addition to allergic rhinitis, dust mite allergy can also lead to asthma and aggravate eczema. The allergist will use a thin needle (lancet) to prick the surface of the skin with dust mite proteins.
If you're allergic to dust mites, you'll get an itchy red bump where the dust mite extract was pricked on your skin. If you have a dust mite allergy, the first time you encounter dust mite proteins, your body will respond by creating immunoglobulin E (IgE). Dandruff (skin flakes), saliva, and urine can cause an allergic reaction, especially when combined with household dust.
