Everything you need to know about your dust mite allergy
26th April 2023
Everything you need to know about your dust mite allergy
Our homes are our place of comfort. They’re the one spot that our entire lives revolve around. So it feels like a sort of betrayal when it affects you for the worse. Take dust mites, as an example. There you are trying to sleep peacefully, but their mere presence sets your allergies off in fits of sneezing or coughing.
Yes, it isn’t the dust itself doing that, but the mites that live in your home undiscovered. And, unlike seasonal allergies, these can be a year-round problem. But let’s step back a bit. What even are dust mites? And why are they causing an allergic reaction? Let’s take a look.
What are dust mites?
Dust mites are almost imperceptible insect-like creatures that live in our homes – whether we want them to or not. They love warm, humid environments, which is why they’re drawn to our furniture, especially our beds. Even better for them, they feed on dead human skin cells, so our beds are practically a buffet for them.
Despite being like insects, an allergy to them isn’t the same as an allergy to, say, wasps. They don’t bite, sting, or burrow into our skin. Instead, they defecate, urinate, and die just like any other species. And it’s these droppings and decaying bodies that trigger our allergies. It’s a bit grim and disgusting, we know, but it’s simply a part of life.
These aspects that trigger our allergies are what we come to know as a dust mite allergy, or even simply just a ‘dust’ allergy.
Common symptoms
Anyone who has ever had hay fever will recognise the symptoms. Dust mite allergies tend to affect our respiratory symptoms in much the same way. When you come into contact with dust mites, here’s what you might experience:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Itchy skin
- Coughing
This is at the milder end of the reaction spectrum, but there can be more concerning symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness around the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing and wheezing
How to prevent them
If any of this sounds familiar, or if you know for certain you have a dust mite allergy, you might be wondering what you can do about it. There are some simple changes you can make that should help with your symptoms. Obviously, the ultimate tip is to talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes. But in the meantime, try these…
Up your cleaning schedule – If you let dust mite skin and droppings accumulate, it’s going to make your symptoms worse. By cleaning your bedding at high temperatures more frequently (we recommend weekly), you can get rid of any droppings and kill any lingering dust mites.
Reduce the humidity – As we said earlier, dust mites love warm, humid environments. So if you feel like your symptoms are too frequent, maybe you need to reduce the humidity. You can do this by opening your windows more often or investing in a dehumidifier.
Replace any fabrics you can – Dust mites live in fabric they can really embed in. Think of all the creases in your sofa and curtains. Or the strands of carpet they can hide in. If it’s in your budget, it may be worth replacing these with smoother materials. Think leather sofas and hardwood floors.
But, like we said, talk to your doctor about any allergy concerns. They can find a solution – or even an allergy specialist – who can help you make meaningful changes. Now you know more about dust mites, you should feel more empowered to tackle your allergy once and for all.
If you ever have any questions about your allergies, get in touch. Our team of allergists are always happy to help. Call us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient today.
