When a person sensitive to dust mites inhales these particles, it can cause allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, congestion, and itchy and watery eyes.
Dust mites
can also cause asthma symptoms like coughing or wheezing. Dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to small bugs that usually live in house dust. Signs of dust mite allergy include those common to hay fever, such as sneezing and a runny nose. Many people with dust mite allergies also have signs of asthma, like wheezing and difficulty breathing.Some common symptoms of dust mite allergy include sneezing, runny nose, irritated eyes, itchy throat, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. No home is completely free of dust mites; they are found in beds, rugs, upholstered furniture, and curtains. Because of this, people who are allergic to dust mites have allergy symptoms all year round. If a person has an allergic reaction that affects the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses, and throat), it's called “allergic rhinitis.” You're more likely to develop a dust mite allergy if you have asthma, eczema, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or a biological family history of atopy.
How to Reduce Dust Mite Allergy Symptoms?
Using a dehumidifier to reduce your home's humidity below 50% can make it a less suitable environment for dust mites. If you're not sure if your symptoms are due to an allergy to dust mites or an illness, contact your healthcare provider.Sometimes the doctor's interview will reveal who might be the culprit. For example, a girl whose nose gets plugged every time she plays with a friend's cat may be allergic to cats or to the dust with cat hair in her friend's house. Washing sheets, blankets, and other types of bedding every week with hot water (no more than 120°F) can kill dust mites. The allergy is triggered by substances found mainly in the feces (“poop”) of dust mites.
Long-Term Effects of Dust Mite Allergy
In addition to allergic rhinitis, dust mite allergy can also lead to asthma and cause an outbreak of eczema. In addition to allergy symptoms, long-term exposure to dust mite allergens can lead to sinus infections and asthma.Diagnosing Dust Mite Allergy
The allergist will use a thin needle (lancet) to prick the surface of the skin with dust mite proteins.In homes with birds, bird feathers and droppings can also become embedded in household dust and cause problems for people who are allergic to birds.
