House dust allergy – what to do?

At least five per cent of Germans are estimated to suffer from a house dust mite allergy. The symptoms are similar to those of other allergies, from itching and sneezing attacks to shortness of breath and asthma. But what do you do if you have a house dust allergy? A few tips, such as changing bed linen regularly and using a unique vacuum cleaner, can often alleviate the symptoms. Otherwise, taking medication and hyposensitization should be considered. We provide information about the signs, consequences and treatment of a house dust allergy.

House dust allergy: mites are the cause

In the case of a house dust allergy, the allergic reaction is not – as the name suggests – directed against house dust but against mite droppings. This is also where the name house dust mite allergy comes from. Colloquially, there is also talk of a dust or mite allergy.

Dust mites are tiny arachnids in every home and are invisible to the naked eye. One gram of house dust contains up to 4,000 mites. Their presence is completely normal and not a sign of poor hygiene. They are completely harmless, so there is no need to fear bites or stings from them, and they do not transmit diseases.

Dust mites feed primarily on animal and human dander and hair. When their excrement dries, it decomposes and mixes with the house dust. The immune system of allergy sufferers reacts defensively to harmless faeces, and the typical allergy symptoms occur. The cause of a house dust allergy is an excessive immune system reaction. An increased risk of developing allergies can be familial, but it can also be aggravated by air pollution and cigarette smoke.

When is the house dust allergy at its worst?

Mites feel exceptionally comfortable at 25 degrees and have a humidity of 60 to 70 per cent; therefore, we mainly keep them in our beds. This is why the symptoms are usually worse at night and in the morning. More significant mites can also be found in curtains, carpets, upholstered furniture and stuffed animals.

Due to the climate, the concentration of mites is highest in late summer and autumn. However, the allergy symptoms are particularly severe in autumn and winter since the apartment’s heating reduces the humidity, and many mites die off. Large amounts of allergens are released during this process.

Typical symptoms of a house dust allergy

Like other allergies, a house dust allergy has several unpleasant symptoms. However, since many symptoms are similar to cold symptoms, a house dust allergy is often recognized late. Due to the typical cold symptoms, one also speaks of an allergic cold or allergic rhinitis. House dust mite allergies usually appear in childhood and adolescence.

The typical signs of a house dust allergy include:

• Cough
• Sneezing fits and runny nose (runny or stuffy nose)
• shortness of breath and shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• headache
• itchy, red, burning or watery eyes, sometimes with conjunctivitis
• restless sleep
• tiredness and exhaustion
• Skin reactions are also possible, such as itching, hives and rashes

If these symptoms persist throughout the year and occur more frequently at night and in the morning after getting up, this indicates a house dust allergy.

 

Diagnosis by an allergy test

The doctor can quickly determine whether you suffer from a house dust allergy with an allergy test (prick test). The allergens are applied directly to the skin. They then get under the skin by gently incising them. If a red, itchy rash forms after some time, the test is considered positive.

If the test results are inconclusive, the allergens can be applied directly to the nasal or ocular mucosa (provocation test). In addition, a blood test (e.g. the RAST test) can help to confirm the diagnosis.

Asthma and cross-allergies as possible consequences

Asthma can develop in people who suffer from a house dust allergy over an extended period. This shifting of the disease to the lower respiratory tract is referred to as a floor change. A house dust allergy significantly often causes childhood asthma.

Allergic reactions can also occur with certain foods. One then speaks of a cross allergy. In contrast to hay fever, however, this is less often the case with an allergy to house dust mites. Possible cross-allergies are allergic reactions when eating shellfish or molluscs (e.g. snails, mussels, crabs, lobster or shrimp).

A sinus infection can also occur due to a house dust allergy.

To avoid such consequences, consult a doctor early and discuss the treatment options.

What do you do if you have a house dust allergy? Nine Tips Against Mites

If you have a house dust allergy, you should primarily try to reduce the house dust, i.e. fight the house dust mites and thus avoid the trigger of the allergy as much as possible. It is, therefore, essential to comply with certain hygienic rules. Then, the symptoms of the house dust allergy are usually significantly reduced. These tips can also help prevent house dust allergies.

These nine tips against house mites can help fight the allergy:

1. Try to keep the room temperature and humidity in the bedroom as low as possible. Also, air the apartment thoroughly (it is advisable to ventilate it three to four times a day for five to 15 minutes).
2. Change your bed linen more often (weekly if possible) and wash them at least 60 degrees. It would help if you also cleaned your mattress once a year. Ideally, do not use a mattress with horsehair filling. The pillow and duvet itself should be washed at least every three months.
3. Use mite-proof allergy covers (encasing) for the mattress – this cuts off the mites from their food source. These covers should be washed at least every three months. Mite-proof allergy covers are also ideal for bed linen.
4. Don’t change your clothes or shoes in the bedroom. Also, avoid combing your hair in the bedroom.
5. If you have pets, you should not let them into the bedroom. If you have a severe house dust allergy, you should do without pets.
6. Remove possible dust traps from the bedroom: This includes curtains and carpets. It is also better to avoid plants or open shelves in the bedroom. You should freeze cuddly toys in the freezer for 24 hours at regular intervals or put them in the tumble dryer. Subsequent washing removes the dead mites.
7. Clean your apartment regularly: always wipe with damp dust and use a vacuum cleaner with a microfilter (HEPA filter). You should avoid vacuuming yourself if you suffer from a house dust allergy. The floor should also be damp mopped.
8. Anti-mite sprays contain an insecticide (acaricide). For example, they can be used to spray mattresses. Acaricides are also available as additives in detergents.
9. A mite test from the pharmacy is helpful to measure the current degree of mite pollution in your home.

 

Treatment: Dust allergy medication

Medicines such as antihistamines (over the counter, for example, ta, blets with the active ingredients cetirizine or loratadine ) or glucocorticoid solutions ( cortisone ) help against the acute symptoms of a house dust allergy. Inhaling an adrenaline spray can also help relieve symptoms. In addition, chromones (in the form of eye drops and nasal sprays) and so-called leukotriene receptor antagonists (in asthma) are used to treat house dust allergy symptoms. In addition, decongestant nasal sprays can also be used for a short time.

If these drugs do not help enough, you should think about hyposensitization.

Desensitization fights the causes.

In contrast to the drugs mentioned above, hyposensitization (specific immunotherapy) not only combats the house dust allergy symptoms but also its cause since the body slowly becomes accustomed to the allergy-causing substance. This significantly reduces the risk of chronic damage to the airways.

In the case of hyposensitization, the allergen is either administered to the affected person in the form of drops (sublingual immunotherapy) or injected directly under the skin (subcutaneous immunotherapy). In this way, the immune system is trained not to react so strongly when it comes into contact with the allergen. However, hyposensitization requires patience: It can take two to three years to complete the therapy.

Homeopathy for house dust allergy

Many allergists also work with homoeopathic remedies for house dust allergies. In homoeopathic treatment, the remedies are chosen to produce symptoms in a healthy person similar to those the sick person suffers from. As a result, treating a house dust allergy with homoeopathy can initially lead to aggravation of the symptoms.

Sticta or Sabadilla, for example, and Luffa D6, Arundo D6, or Galphimia glauca D4 are also used. It is controversial whether the symptoms can be alleviated by homoeopathic treatment.